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The thought of leaving in less than a week forms a pit in my stomach.

Roman’s large palm covers my hand, his gaze softening as he looks at me. “I know you’ve got a lot of knots to untie, but I’m here to help you. You’ve got me in your corner, Kira. You don’t have to do this alone.”

I exhale a sigh, feeling a tiny bit better. I don’t know how, but maybe Roman’s delusional optimism is starting to rub off on me. I believe him when he says he’d do anything to help me, but this isn’t his mess to clean up. I need to woman up and face my problems if I ever want to be free of them.

I don’t want to focus on reality today. I just want to live in delulu land a little while longer.

“I can’t believe the festival is almost here. Are you nervous?”

He nods. “Yes, a little. But I’m more excited than anything. I’m a seasoned pro when it comes to putting this festival on. I just hope all the PR we’ve done will give us the turnout we’re predicting.”

“It will,” I assure him. “I don’t think you left a stone unturned. I think having the Cryptid Chasers on location for a challenge is such a fun idea. That show gets millions of viewers every week. Everyone on social media is going to be talking about it.”

“Well, we wouldn’t have been able to get near the reach if it weren’t for you. This festival is going to be the biggest one yet, thanks to your contacts.”

I hold up my coffee cup for a toast. “To the most successful Phantom Festival this town has ever seen.”

We clink our glasses as my phone buzzes with a chain of notifications.

I try to ignore it, but the buzzing continues.

“You should get that. It could be your sister,” Roman says, his face shifting to a look of concern.

The mention of something being wrong with Greer or the kids has my heart rate picking up. I dig in my purse with shaking hands to pull out my phone. My eyes go wide when I open it. There are over fifty missed texts, most of which are from my mother.

I quickly scan the messages, trying to get a read on what the hell is going on.

Mom

A FUCKING STRIP CLUB!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???

Oh my God, Kira. I’m going to be sick.

All you had to do was stay out of the spotlight for twelve weeks… Are you TRYING to ruin your life?

Answer the phone, Kira. We need to fix this NOW.

Your location has been leaked. Have fun explaining that to your sister. I should’ve known something like this was bound to happen.

“I think I’m going to puke,” is all I can manage.

“What’s wrong?” Roman asks, moving from his side of the booth to mine so he can see for himself.

I don’t answer him and switch to the texts from my agent.

Claire

Call me ASAP.

Kira, we need to talk. We can still fix this, but we need to move fast.

“What’s going on?” Roman asks.

Panic courses through me as all my worst fears play out in my mind. My eyes are blurry with tears, and my hand is shaking so hard I can barely read the words on my phone.

Roman takes the phone and swipes open the messages from Augustus.

There’s a link to a viral video. The preview shows me sitting in a chair, my hands on Roman’s ass, while he grinds himself against me.