Page 50 of Reveal

What the hell does Carter Preston have on her?

Revealing who she really is and messing with her livelihood, I get. The fear of social services finding out and her losing the chance to adopt Lucy, I completely understand. But what in the hell is she not telling me about her uncle?

She’s a grown woman. He can’t intimidate or manipulate her now. I get that the chains of a past like that are strong and the thought of him could be debilitating, but there’s something else going on.

Something else that has her spooked.

If only I could get her to talk to me.

If only I could get her to trust me again.

If only I could win her back.

Way to fuck things up, Lockhart.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Vaughn

“It was a good night,” I agree with Melissa. It’s well after two in the morning as our heels click on the concrete floor of the long hallway that leads to Apropos’s exit.

Large tips always help to make it a good night.

Hands not grabbing your ass make it even better.

I glance down at my Wicked Ways phone and notice a text from the new client, Noah, and I slow down to read it. I received all the information you sent my way. I’d prefer to meet face-to-face before we proceed. I like to know who I’m doing business with.

With a sigh and a shake of my head, I slip my phone back into my purse. The last thing I want to do right now is don my Madam Vee getup and meet with a client who is already proving to be high maintenance before he even goes on his first date.

“You okay?” Melissa asks with concerned eyes, and I realize I’ve stopped walking and that she’s done the same in turn.

“Yeah. It was just a text. A bill collector,” I lie. “It’s just been a rough couple of weeks.”

“But I thought you had a man now,” she says and snaps her fingers in a Z shape.

“Ha. Hence the rough couple of weeks.” I laugh, all while hating the notion that she thinks I’d let a man pay my bills for me.

“Does he treat you right?”

I nod. “Yes. Of course. It’s just . . . complicated,” I murmur and roll my eyes in jest.

“We’re talking about a man here, aren’t we? They are as complicated as they are simple.”

“Very true,” I laugh, but the pang hits me just as hard as her words.

I miss him.

It’s been a little over three weeks since the Hamptons. Since I thought the stars were aligning and maybe—just maybe—there might be a little bit of happiness for me. Since the pool house and Carter Preston and the threats that could upend my world.

But I still miss Ryker.

And I’m not sure how I feel about that.

The fresh air hits us when Melissa pushes open the door to the parking lot. She stops momentarily as she steps out into the fluorescent light before humming under her breath. “Mmm-mmm-mmm. I’d take that man even if he had a three-inch dick.”

I laugh with her and then realize she’s actually talking about someone standing before her. For the briefest of moments I pause, afraid that Carter is waiting outside my work. But then the person speaks.

“Good morning.” Ryker’s gravelly baritone hits my ears and makes my stomach flutter.