Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Greer”—he crouches down a bit and cups my face in his hands—“listen to me. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t Devereaux’s fault. I may only be seventeen, but I’m old enough to know she loved you and whatever reason she had to kill herself had nothing to do with you.”
His face is so sure, so earnest, I believe him. We sit on the grass, and he listens as I tell him how I worry Dad is drinking and avoiding us because we look like her. That I wonder if I should dye my hair or cut it off. He seems pained by that admission from me, but he doesn’t act like I’m stupid for thinking about it.
When I’ve let all my worries out, we sit in silence until he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a velvet pouch tied with a pink ribbon.
“Dev said you didn’t feel like celebrating your birthday last week, but I got you something anyway.” He hands me the pouch.
Inside I find a heart-shaped golden locket on a dainty gold chain with a note that says Keep those you love close to your heart.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to be okay, Greer,” he says.
“I miss her,” I say on a choked sob. “I don’t have anybody. Dev’s got you and Ledger. Dad’s got his whiskey. Mom left me to take care of myself.”
He pulls me into him and cradles my head against his chest. It’s warm and safe. “You’ve got me.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart, Greer.”
ONE
GREER
Present Day
Welcome to the Wine and Punishment podcast, where we discuss criminal cases in and around Saint Pierce, while having some delicious wine. I’m Sadie, here with my co-host Eden, and today, we’re discussing the Delgado case. Is Bane Delgado guilty of extorting local businesses?
“Innocent!” I yell from the shower as I rinse the shampoo from my hair. And I plan on proving it as soon as my firm gives me the case. Which should happen today.
Sadie: So, we’ve got a thirty-something year old man who’s gorgeous and absolutely oozing with swagger. Yes, I said swagger.
Eden: He is sexy.
“No, he’s not.” I slather conditioner through my wet hair as Eden and Sadie theorize on a case they know nothing about. They’ve never known much of anything either. I went to high school with both of them, and even back then they were insufferable.
Sadie: Let’s break down what we know. Bane Delgado is part of the Delgado Family, and he’s been brought up on charges of extortion by way of the Rico Act of 1970. Witnesses will testify that the Delgado Family operated through a network of associates who would approach businesses here in Saint Pierce demanding payments for security. Those who refused to comply faced vandalism and many other harmful activities. Crazy, right?
Eden: Remember the pizza shop on 39th that caught fire a few years ago? I’m wondering if arson was at play.
“Absolutely not,” I say as I aggressively squirt body wash onto my loofah. “That’s all speculation. There’s no proof.” I’ve got one tit soaped when Sadie stops my motions with her next words.
Sadie: They’ve hired Stanford, Beaumont, and Lind to represent them. That means their lawyer might end up being the sister of the guy who owns Club Greed. Do you think Greer Huxley could handle this case?
My stomach does a somersault listening to their ensuing laughter. I never did like these girls.
Eden: I know she’s supposed to be a rising star in the legal field, but no I don’t think she can. She’s probably too busy gawking over her older brother’s besties, the Thorne twins.
“I never gawk,” I shout as they cackle like drunk hens. “But if I did, it would be quick and wouldn’t interfere with my job.”
These women are royally pissing me off. I am unfavoriting them from my podcast list.
Sadie: Can you imagine being in the same room with those guys?
Eden: Listen, Greer has to be one of the luckiest women on the planet. She’s related to Devereaux Huxley, and she gets to pal around with Roman and Ledger Thorne all day. I’m willing to bet Greer has had some fun times at her brother’s club with Roman or Ledger, or possibly both. And now she’ll be defending Bane Delgado himself.
My face heats to an inferno. They’re just jealous because Roman and Ledger wanted nothing to do with them in high school. Still don’t. “Not likely,” I shout. I do not frequent my brother’s sex club. That is a bridge too far for me to cross.
Eden: Who could blame her? If it were me, I’d never leave the club. Even after everything that went down there.
While they get lost in retelling the Club Greed murders that happened a few months ago, I finish washing and shaving. And stewing over how they’ve placed me under a microscope with all their listeners. Hundreds of thousands, who all now think I’m an incompetent walking vagina, spending all my time getting spanked and fondled at Club Greed.