Page 203 of Stanton Unconditional

He smirks. “That’s a fitting title.”

I glare at him. “Well deserved,” I snap.

I go to my bag and start rattling through it.

“What are you looking for?” he asks.

“My phone.”

“It’s here on the counter.”

I quickly dial Abbie’s number. “Hi, Abbs.” “Hi chick.” She says cheerfully.

“You need to get over here immediately.” “I’m at work, what’s up?”

“TC has just been found dead and your and Bridget’s fingerprints are all over her place.”

She goes silent. “Did you hear me?” “Shit,” she whispers. “On my way.”

Adrian

I sit at my desk, deep in thought. This whole blackmail thing is totally out of control and now the stupid girls have gotten involved, it could bring us all undone. I have to ask the question, it’s been playing on my mind. Yet, do I really want to know the answer? Ben and Joshua walk in and take a seat at the desk.

“What’s up?” Joshua asks.

“You know I love you guys, right?” I sigh. Joshua frowns in a question.

“I have to ask this. Did you two have anything to do with that hooker’s death?”

Ben and Joshua look at each other and then back at me. “No,” they both reply.

My eyes hold theirs. “Did you think about it?” They look at each other again.

“Maybe,” Joshua replies.

I put my hand over my mouth and close my eyes. I knew it. “We would never have actually done it,” Ben replies. “It was just a thought.”

“Have you two gone totally insane? Why would you even think that?”

Joshua shrugs. “I told you I would do anything to keep the tape from Natasha.”

I shake my head. “Ben, will you please start thinking for Joshua because where Natasha is concerned, he does not have one brain cell.”

They both smile. “We have clearance to leave Australia. It came through this morning,” Ben replies. “I know you don’t want this, Joshua, but Abbie and Bridget will have to come back to LA with us until they catch who did this.”

Joshua shakes his head in frustration. “They will not be fingerprinted here.”

Ben shakes his head. “And what if they are and convicted of murder when they were only trying to help you out? How will you feel then?”

“Idiots,” Joshua snaps.

I smile broadly. “What’s wrong, Stan? Are the girls going to crash the slumber party you have planned?”

He narrows his eyes. “They are actually,” he murmurs. “What if they won’t go?” I ask.

“I’m not giving them a choice,” Ben replies. “This isn’t a joke, this is serious now. They have put us all under a cloud.”

Joshua shakes his head in disgust. “Let them know.”