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No one’s been waiting to arrest me or take me in for questioning in the disappearance of Jovie Peterson. It’s been a whole day since she was reported missing. That’s a good sign for me and my fight to prove my innocence.
I want to believe that Ben has my best interests in mind; he saved my business and my sanity a long time ago, and I owe him for that. Now, I owe him for his lawyer, Dennis Miller. He has to be costing Ben a pretty penny, and I can’t afford to pay him back and maybe never will. The thought of ultimately signing over the business to him seems likely at this point, as long as I don’t get dragged back into the Jessica and Evie situation. The cops should have some new leads by now, you’d think. Whoever has Jovie probably killed both of them too.
It’s not safe for me to meet my target tonight. It’d be irresponsible for me to see her. If my suspicions are correct about Evie, Jessica, and Jovie’s connection to the club, Ben or someone else is behind all of this. I can’t risk another girl’s life just to play a game. Even if that means I’m going down in flames in the process.
Ben can disown me, take away my lawyer, sue me for the money I owe him, and let my secrets out of the bag. But, for once, I need to do the right thing. Ben’s stupid game has to end.
I open the Socialite app on my phone, and I click on the chat with my target.
K: Hey, I’m so sorry to do this, but something
came up, and I have to cancel our date tonight.
N: Seriously? Are you kidding? I’m all ready
to meet you.
K: Yes, I’m sorry.
N: I knew you were like all the other guys.
K: No, it’s not like that. I promise.
N: What, am I not pretty enough? Not
intelligent enough? What is it? Did you find
someone better to take out tonight instead?
K: No, I swear. You’re gorgeous. Just trust me,
it’s for your own good.
N: You’re just like my ex. Always coming up
with excuses.
K: I’m sorry. Really. It’s nothing to do with you.
N: My ex, Jordan, used to say that to me too.
Men always have something ‘that comes up.’
I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you. I should
have gone with my gut instinct about you. I
knew you were too good to be true.
Wow, she’s just tossing her past out so freely. Would she chat about her ex the entire date? Is this woman crazy? I think I dodged a bullet with this one. At least she never put two and two together and figured out I’m the most hated guy in town.
K: Seriously, I need to go but I’m truly sorry.
Something really did come up. I will make
it up to you. I promise.
Of course, I’m lying. I need to keep this girl safe, even if she’s psychotic.
N: Screw you, Kade. All men are the same.
You’ve just confirmed my assumption.
But, wait. Jordan. . . Her ex, Jordan. This could be an insane coincidence, but it can’t be the Jordan from the club. Could it? He had an ex-wife that took everything. Would Ben have assigned me a club member’s ex? I mean, why would he? No. I’m paranoid. But what if I’m not? There has been one too many things going on these past few weeks that haven’t been adding up. This girl already hates me, so I may as well just ask.
K: This is going to sound really random, but
does your ex have a brother?
N: How do you know about Hudson? Is this
some kind of sick joke? Who put you up to this? Y
ou sicko.
Holy hell. This is Jordan’s ex-wife. The one who left him.
The unease in my gut grows.
It’s no coincidence that she is my target,
is it? Ben is up to something.
K: Nadia, I swear to you. It’s not a joke.
This is going to sound crazy, but stay
safe and don’t trust anyone.
N: You’re crazy. Go fuck yourself.