Page 194 of Final Offer

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I look up at the ceiling. My vision blurs from the tears, dulling the fluorescent lighting.

“Look at me.” Violet speaks firmer this time.

My eyes slide to my phone. “What?”

“Whatever happened…none of it is your fault.”

My chest pricks. “It sure feels like it.”

“We will make him pay for what he did. That much I promise.”

My laugh comes out broken and hollow. “I don’t want revenge. I just want him gone.Forever.”

“Then that’s what we will do.”

Her use ofwemakes me emotional for a completely different reason.

You’re not alone in this.

Violet and Delilah remain on the phone while I cry it out. Come tomorrow, I will need to pretend none of this ever happened, so I allow myself to feel everything tonight. My anger. My sadness. Mybetrayal.

I might not have everything figured out by the time I stop crying, but I’m sure of one thing: Callahan Kane is going to regret ever thinking he could take advantage of my kindness and get away with it.

Lana has been acting strange. Ever since we returned from Rowan and Zahra’s place, she has kept quiet. Before I had a chance to ask her what she thought about the night, she disappeared into Cami’s room, claiming she needed to get her ready for bed.

By the time I come out of the shower, the door to her room is locked with no answer when I knock.

She is probably still in the shower.

I take a seat on the couch and pull up Candy Crush. My highest score was quickly beaten by the same little git across the world who scored the top spot by a measly three points.

I’m not sure how long I play for. Lana doesn’t ever open her door, so I lose track of time. I only quit once my eyes start to get heavy.

I rise from my spot on the couch and knock on Lana’s door again.

“Lana.” My knuckles tap against the wood.

No answer.

I press my ear against the door but still can’t hear anything.

Rather than wait around, I go to my room and text her.

Everything okay? You didn’t answer when I knocked.

My text goes unanswered, too. Either Lana fell asleep the moment she put her head on the pillow or she is avoiding me. While the first option is highly plausible, especially after the long day we had, I can’t help considering the second.

I sift through the memories of the night. From my point of view, it seemed like she had a great night. Lana got along well with Zahra and Iris, and she held her own when going up against Declan. She even got that special glint in her eyes that I love when Rowan tried to buy out her recipe for a million dollars.

I don’t think anything went wrong. Yet I can’t seem to shake the nagging sensation in the back of my head.

I text Iris individually.

Hey.

Time goes by painfully slow as I wait for her to answer.

Hey. What’s up?


Tags: Lauren Asher Romance