Page 134 of Reveal

“You’ll what?” I laugh. “It’ll be because you broke your word, and I’ll be at your sentencing in court. You’re a pathetic piece of shit. May you rot in hell.”

I head toward the library door, and once I have it open, I turn back to face him one last time. “For your information, Samantha didn’t tell me a thing. I never had the pleasure of meeting her. You sealed her fate the minute you chose to violate her. You sealed your own as well.” I remove my cell phone from my pocket so he can see that the record button on the screen has been engaged. “You go back on your word to me, I have your confession right here.”

Without another word, I move to the foyer, where Beatrice is heading toward me.

“Leaving so soon?” she asks cheerfully.

“Yes. Poor James isn’t looking too well. You might want to check on him.”

Just as I pass through the gates and take a breath of non-creepified air, my cell rings. I chuckle when I look at the screen and wonder just how fast good ol’ James rallied up the Dillinger family.

“Chance. Brother. Are your senses on high alert? I step foot in Greenwich, and it’s like you know I’m in your town.”

“I know, and it’s about damn fucking time. You didn’t call. You didn’t write.” He laughs.

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure how long my business was going to last.”

“You done now? Can we have drinks? Dinner with my fam? What?”

I think of the woman I have at home. The woman who is a complicated mess of gorgeous chaos, feisty innocence, and flawed perfection. She’s the one I’d much rather be with right now.

I look back at the house behind me and hope to never see it again.

Fuck that. I will see it. In fact, I’m going to buy the place when the old buzzard dies, and then I’ll burn it to the ground.

For Samantha.

For Vaughn.

For Lucy.

Demolishing to ashes a past that never should have been would be worth every goddamn penny.

“Thanks for the offer, Chance, but I have a sour taste in my mouth after my meeting.”

“One of those fuckers you’d like to wrap your hands around their neck to shut them up?” He laughs.

“Exactly. One of those.”

“So that’s it? In. Out. Done?”

“I’m sorry, but yes, that’s it.”

“Just like the college days. Nothing changes,” he jokes.

Interestingly enough, everything has, though. My thoughts flash to Vaughn and the long drive home. To how I can’t wait to see her and look in her eyes knowing I’ve taken one more step so that she never has to worry about that prick again . . . even though I’m not even sure I’ll tell her.

Now Carter’s threat holds no weight.

“Hey, Lockhart? You still there?”

“Yeah. Sorry. I was just staring at a piece of real estate I have my eye on.”

“Here?”

“Mmm. Yes.”

“Lots of gorgeous places to buy.”