time she doesn’t respond. She just stares at me with doe eyes and parted lips as her spine straightens some. “Vaughn?”
“No!” She yells the lone word, but there is so much sewn into her tone that I know she believes all this.
I sold the lie so damn well I hurt the one person I care about the most.
Our eyes lock, and the devastation in hers all but kills me. When she runs out of the pool house, it takes everything I have not to chase after her and explain.
I stand from my stool, my moral compass way off the charts as I realize what I just did to her.
To us.
“I was right.” Carter’s low rumble of a chuckle fills the room. “The poor thing really thought you loved her,” he mocks.
“Mmm.”
“C’mon, Lockhart. You’ve already got the sex and now the power. It’s my turn, and fucking hell, I’ll create the fear you’re too soft to add.”
If I clench my glass any tighter, it might break. My cigar is still lit but sits untouched on the edge of the ashtray, its smell suddenly making me want to throw up.
Sell the lie.
“I think I’m going to need that dirt you dug up on her about now. By the way she just bolted out of here, I wouldn’t be surprised if she takes out a full-page ad in the New York Times telling everyone I pay for sex.”
His laugh is longer than it should be, and his sudden lack of a response unnerves me.
“That would damage her ability to make money. She’s smarter than that.”
“If she’s so smart, then what makes you think she’ll fall for your fear tactics?”
Carter’s expression turns to stone as he takes a step toward me. “She’ll fall for it all right,” he murmurs with an intensity that bugs the fuck out of me. “I won’t give up until I get everything I want from her. The dirt she has on me and her fucking pussy as an interest payment for how long I have to wait to get it.” He leans in closer, making me more than uncomfortable. “I don’t like being played, Lockhart. By anyone.” He lifts his eyebrows as if to ask me if I understand his unspoken threat. A moment passes, and then his laugh rings out like the true sociopath he’s proving himself to be.
“What?” I ask, confused by his sudden change in demeanor and desperate to chase after Vaughn, apologize to her, and then make it up to her every possible way I can.
“You’re so cute how you’re worried she’s gone for good.” He pats me on the shoulder. “Get over it. Man the fuck up. She’s the hired help. She’ll come back as soon as you snap your fingers. A girl’s gotta make a living, after all.”
My jaw hurts from clenching my teeth, and I roll my shoulders. “Good to know,” I murmur as my eyes drift to the party outside, and I wonder where the fuck she is right now.
“Besides, she needs to come back because there’s nothing I love more than sexually harassing the help.” He downs the rest of his drink in one swallow. “It’s one hell of a party you’ve got going on here.”
“You should go enjoy it.” Get the fuck out.
“I will.” He grins and strolls to the doorway before turning back to face me. “All’s fair in paid sex, Lockhart.” He shrugs. “Oh, and if you bring up this conversation or my recreational engagement with escorts against me in your settlement requests for Bianca, I’ll use Roxanne and every other fucking made-up thing I can against you. While ethics aren’t valuable in politics these days, they’re still in high demand in the legal world.”
Without another word, he turns back around and heads toward the party.
I stare at the empty doorway for a few moments as I fight the urge to run to find Vaughn. That might be a little noticeable, and I’m more than certain Carter is out there watching to see if I do just that.
Jesus Christ, I’m sorry, Vaughn. So fucking sorry.
And then it hits me.
I was so caught up in selling the lie that Carter never told me what it is he has on Vaughn.
Fucking hell.
Please tell me this wasn’t all for nothing.
Please tell me I didn’t just mess up the best thing I have going for me.
Fuck you, Lockhart.
Fuck. You.
CHAPTER ONE
Vaughn
Bang. Bang. Bang.
I pull Lucy tightly against me and breathe her in, but all I can think about is earlier today.