Her eyes lit up. “It has a nice ring to it. Why?”
“That’s how much I’ll give you to stop badgering Savannah for money and not contest Kyle’s will.”
After admiring her long, manicured fingernails, she addressed Zander. “As tempting as a monetary gift would be, five thousand is an insult. Kyle King was a wealthy son of a bitch back then and he probably died just as stinking rich.”
“That money wouldn’t come from Kyle’s estate,” Zander said. “I’m offering youmymoney.”
Her plucked eyebrow arched. “Hmm, so you want me to take the money and run?”
“Yes.”
“You can’t buy me off. I’m not a gnat you can swat away.” She pivoted toward Savannah. “I came here to talk some sense into you and to help you out because your manager—”
“Tilly’s my agent.”
“Whatever the hell she is, she isn’t doing her job. You are easily taken advantage of, Vanna, and that pisses me off!” Angry, beady eyes launched daggers in Zander’s direction. “Don’t be a fool, Savannah. I can protect you from men like this who prey on unassuming women like you.”
Hoping for a little relief, Savannah rubbed the back of her neck, but the muscles had hardened to stone. “When have youeverprotected me?”
“If you make Kyle’s money work foryou, you can spend the rest of your life snapping beautiful pictures of your forever happy places. You live in a dream world, my sweet girl. Wake up and see this man for what he really is. Life is hard. You’ve got to work the system or it’ll work you…todeath.”
Savannah had endured enough. “As much as this makes me sick to my stomach to say, I want you to take Zander’s offer and leave. I love my life. I love taking photographs, and I’m ecstatic that I’m no longer under your thumb. I don’t care aboutthingsbecause I never got any joy from stealing for you. I got stomachaches and a messed-up perspective of how the world works.” Her skin crawled with what felt like a thousand centipedes.
“Very well, if you insist.” She addressed Zander. “Do you have your checkbook with you?”
He handed her the hotel notepad and pen. “Give me your contact information. My attorney will email you an agreement.”
As Debby scribbled her information, she asked what the agreement would include.
“You don’t contest the will and you stop harassing Savannah for money.”
“No problem. When can I expect the money?”
“Next week.”
“Lovely doing business with you, Zander.” She flicked her gaze toward her daughter. “I hope you figure out how the world works before this land developer takes complete advantage of you. And get yourself a new agent!”
And with that, Debby King and her kaleidoscope of shocking colors sailed out of the room.
When the door banged shut, Savannah’s knees gave out and she crumpled into the chair.
