“Right, Jimmy.”
Jimmy Dawson? My escort? Who couldn’t keep his eyes off Diana’s ass?
“We’ve got to keep it under wraps. No texting about it. No talking on the phone. Who knows what kind of surveillance the Steels have?”
“In fact,” the first voice says, “this is the last time we speak of this. Ever.”
Hustling and bustling gets softer and softer, and when I’m sure they’re gone, I finally peek out of the algebra classroom. The halls are empty. Rory is probably outside chatting with her friends as usual and waiting for me, also as usual. She’ll drive us home.
This was almost too easy. I was ready to move about quietly and observe everything, but the information came to me instead.
Yes, being invisible definitely has its perks.
The only problem? Lamone and the others will deny it. I’ll have to get proof. And I know just the one person who can help me.
Rory. My sister. The homecoming queen and the most beautiful girl in school.
She can get anyone to say anything.
CHAPTER TWO
DONNY
After prosecuting two speeding tickets and a jaywalker, I’m back in the office and trying not to think of Callie. She’s still in Denver, having her safe-deposit box drilled open.
I don’t know what’s bothering her. She wanted to tell me Saturday before I left, but I shushed her. I already know I have to let her go, so I didn’t want to drag something out of her that she wasn’t ready to talk about anyway.
Now I wonder if that was a mistake. If I knew, I could fix it for her. I can’t be with her. I can’t have a relationship with her, but I can at least take care of her past.
I’ve already decided to funnel money to her family somehow. I just haven’t figured out how to do it yet.
“You’re a dick,” I say out loud, staring at my closed door.
Here I am, trying to fix everything with my money. Maybe it will work. Maybe Callie doesn’t love me as much as I love her. Maybe the money will be enough.
I scoff. I know that’s not true. I know Callie feels the same way I do. Not solely by her words, but by her actions. By the way she comforts and cares for me.
Damn her. She probably won’t take the money. Neither will her family.
They’re too proud.
My thoughts turn to Pat Lamone, who told me the Pikes were gold diggers.
And I can’t help but wonder…
Why did he say that? And is he part of the reason Callie is so troubled? She seemed fine until we ran into him at the hotel that night.
She’ll be home tonight, and she’ll have to come by to bring me the car.
My phone buzzes. My mother. I say a frantic hello.
“Hi, sweetie. I have good news.”
A swooshing sigh of relief leaves me. “Thank God. I could use some.”
“Dad’s being released today. We’re coming home, Donny.”
“That’s great.” Despite the fact that I’m happy with this news, my tone sounds anything but. My mom will no doubt call me on it.