‘What?’
‘Watch your back. I’m worried about your safety.’
‘Why?’
‘I know why you’re trying to find Frank, and I know about the attempts on your life. After I pulled you from the lake, you asked if I saw who pushed you. I didn’t... but you must have so idea who it was.’
‘I do,’ I said.
‘Are you thinking it was that woman we saw at the party? Genevieve, was it?’
‘Yes. What of it?’
‘What if it wasn’t her?’
‘Why would you say that? Do you have proof?’
‘No, but think about it. I moved pretty fast, but by the ti I reached the lake, there was no one else on the shore—just you in the water. If it was Genevieve, how could she have moved so fast?’
I frowned. ‘Maybe you just didn’t see her.’
‘Maybe. But what if it was Frank?’
I shook my head. ‘Why would he push into a lake? How would he even know I was there?’
‘He could’ve been following you.’
‘Unlikely.’ If Frank knew where I was, he’d have jumped out, accused of being a terrible daughter, and demanded money outright.
‘But not impossible, right? He probably blas you for his prison sentence. I wouldn’t put it past him to want revenge.’
That was harder to dismiss. Frank never had much fatherly feeling toward , and prison had probably only made him more bitter.
‘I’m worried about you,’ Rhys said softly. ‘Co back to . Let protect you.’
‘No, thank you. I have—’
‘Ashton? Are you serious? He can’t even protect you from a jealous woman like Genevieve.’
‘That’s my business.’
Rhys sighed. ‘I feel useless. I want to help you, but I can’t even find Frank.’
I softened my tone. ‘It’s not your fault. You’ve helped enough. It’s ti you moved on with your life.’
‘You are my life,’ he said.
Two years ago, those words might have made cry. But not anymore.
I straightened my shoulders. ‘Rhys, thank you. But it’s better if we don’t see each other again.’
He grabbed my hand. ‘No. I don’t want to be cut out of your life. Will you at least let help you with this Frank situation? To keep you safe?’
I pulled my hand away firmly. ‘No.’
At that exact mont, I heard the distinct sound of a cara shutter.
‘You shaless hussy!’ snapped a woman’s voice.
She looked to be in her fifties, dressed elegantly, but her words were anything but refined.
‘Who are you?’ I asked.
‘Who am I? You little tramp—you steal my daughter’s man, and now you’re here fooling around with soone else? Have you no decency?’ she shouted, her voice ringing across the restaurant.
It was the middle of the dinner rush, and the place was packed. Every head turned in our direction, eager for a show.
‘Show so respect, ma’am. You’re old enough to know better than to make baseless accusations,’ Rhys said coldly.
‘Respect?’ The woman raised her hand. ‘I’ll show you what you deserve.’
I saw the slap coming and leaned back just in ti, avoiding her hand.
She was wearing rings—if she’d connected, they might have cut my face. But though I dodged the rings, I didn’t escape completely. Her long pinky nail grazed my cheek, and I felt a sharp sting. She’d definitely broken the skin.
‘You want to know who I am? I’m Genevieve’s mother. And you deserved that,’ she spat, jabbing a finger in my direction.
‘Now I see where your daughter gets her appalling manners,’ I shot back. ‘She’s the one chasing after my husband, but you have the nerve to co after ? How pathetic.’
‘You’re the one who’s pathetic! Only a shaless howrecker like you would have the gall to say that. You say you’re married, yet here you are, cosying up to another man. Have you no decency? What kind of parents raised you?’ Her tone was dripping with scorn.
‘How my parents raised is none of your business. Having a al with a friend doesn’t make shaless. Maybe you should be asking why your daughter keeps throwing herself at a married man instead of lecturing . Or does that not embarrass you?’
‘You—!’
‘And since when is having dinner with a man a cri? Have you never had a al with a male friend, colleague, or relative? If your mind imdiately goes to affairs, maybe that says more about you than ,’ I added.
Too angry to respond, she raised her hand to slap again. This ti, I caught her wrist firmly and pushed her back.
She stumbled several steps, nearly losing her balance. ‘You... you slut! You’ll get what’s coming to you!’
‘If anyone’s headed for karma, it’s your daughter. Ask her about all the horrible things she’s done.’
‘Want to throw her out?’ Rhys asked.
I shook my head. ‘I’m done with her.’
He shot her a final glare before following out of the restaurant.
I pulled my hand free. ‘Thank you for the flash drive, but I have to go.’
‘Where are you going? Let drive you. And that cut on your face—we should get it looked at.’
‘It’s fine,’ I said without looking at him.
Just then, a taxi pulled up. I got in and left.
As the cab drove off, my phone rang.
I answered, ‘Hi, Naomi.’
‘Are you finished yet?’ she asked. ‘I’m so bored on my own. You need to co and keep company. They won’t let drink anything but juice. It’s so dull.’
‘I’m on my way. Should be there in about ten minutes,’ I said, glancing at the traffic outside.
About ten minutes later, I pulled up outside the bar. The mont I got out of the car, I saw Ashton walking towards .
Had he been waiting outside for ?
When he saw , his eyes turned colder. He quickened his pace, covering the ground in a few long strides until he was right beside . His brows were drawn tightly together. ‘What happened to your face?’
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