Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I pull my tie off and roll up the sleeves of my button-up. I undo a couple of the top buttons. My suit too is irritating me. I'd forgotten how nice it was to wear jeans and toss on a shirt.
Knowing I have some free time, I send an email to Hollis to provide an update and to check in with the jewelry designer who is currently working on Tinsley's ring. Right now she has a simple gold band. I love the fuck out of seeing it on her, but I'll love it more when I can slide a more fitting ring onto her finger. The jeweler swears they will have it done and delivered before Valentine's.
When my alert from Carter goes off, I grab my shit and head out. I have a driver pick me up to head across town. I wouldn't be taking it to this level, but Biff has brought this upon himself. Am I being rational? No, but I don't give a fuck. When it comes to Tinsley, I’ll do whatever it takes.
I get dropped off outside of the club. I knock on the back door, having no interest in walking through the front. I also don't need my wife to murder me.
She still might, but what can I say? I do rather enjoy her wrath.
Chapter Twenty-Five
TINSLEY
"This is unexpected," Katherine growls out, her hand tightening on the steering wheel. When we spotted Pierce coming out of the building his office was in, I thought we got lucky. That luck has now died. "It's not even that nice of a strip club."
Does it matter? No. The betrayal I feel is earth-shattering.
He was supposed to be different. I stare at the back door he's gone through. Someone opened it for him like he's a freaking regular! He made me fall in love with him. Led me to believe that he was my happily ever after. Now this.
"You want to go home?" Katherine asks.
"It just got worse." I smack her arm and point to a car that pulled up to the side of the building, and I watch Biff step out. "That's Biff." I didn’t think the betrayal could get any worse, but I was wrong. Pierce played me, and I fell right into his trap.
It was all a setup. He told me to let him worry about the resort and the land. To trust him, and I had. He kept me occupied so that I didn't start digging or coming up with a plan of my own. He sidetracked me, and I willingly let him. They had been plotting together this whole time.
The heavy weight of sadness that fills me is replaced with utter rage. "We are going to jail, aren't we?" It comes out more of a statement than a question from Katherine.
"I make no promises." I slightly open the car door and step out.
"We're going in?" Katherine turns off the engine and jumps out. "How are we playing this?"
"I don't know." I'm already heading toward the front entrance. Katherine grabs my elbow. "You're stopping me?"
"What? No." She scrunches her nose; my question is clearly ridiculous to her. “We need a bit of space between the Biffle dude and us.” It’s a good call.
I clench my fists at my sides, hating that Pierce is in there. I know it's absolutely ridiculous. It shouldn't matter anymore. It’s over at this point, but it doesn’t help the overwhelming jealousy that I have.
“Aren’t we supposed to be working on you jumping to conclusions and reacting before you think?” Katherine tries to reason with me, but I’m too far gone for that.
“Nope.” I pop the P hard. “That went out the window with my therapist.”
“Right.” She nods. “You think they’ll let us in?”
“We’re 21. I don’t see why not.”
“I don't know the rules.” Katherine shrugs both of her shoulders.
“Can we go?” I can’t stand here any longer. If I don’t go in, I’m going to cry, and right now I’m hanging on to my anger with all my might. There will be plenty of time to lick my wounds later. Right now, I want to make a scene.
“Shit.” Katherine doesn’t move. “Look at me,” she snaps with authority in her voice, which I’ve never heard before. “Are you sure you want to see what’s in there?” Katherine points to the building.
“No,” I say before I start walking toward the front entry. “Not going to stop me.”
Hell, it might help me get over him. To get a real glimpse into the man that’s been lying to me. Seeing his true colors with my own eyes might help sever the hold he has on my heart. I still can’t believe I’m here. I know my trust is crap, but on a deep level, I can’t fathom Pierce doing this to me, to us.
My anger and jealousy have fully taken over rational thought. A large bouncer opens the door for us without asking for ID. We scurry in.