Page 74 of My Heart Still Beats
“I know you and your brother give to that food bank in Boston.”
“That’s because our mother used to take us there. We weren’t always rich.”
“Oh, I know that, too.” He grabs a towel and wipes down the bar. “In fact…I know how you got your start.”
“You don’t know shit.”
“You sure?”
Problem is that I’mnotsure. Braden confided in me years ago about where the money came from to fund his first project. It came from Apple’s father, Brock Ames. It was a payoff. But that’s all over now. Braden took care of it, and every bit has been paid back.
But there was another infusion of quick cash that didn’t come from Brock Ames.
It came from me.
“Does the name Conrad have any meaning to you?” the bartender asks.
Fuck.
I’ve had a lot to drink, but I’ve got to keep my cool. Keep my head.
“Can’t say it rings a bell.”
“I’m thinking it might.” He gazes at my face, my chest, back to my face. “Though you might be a little drunk.”
I poke him in the chest. “You get the fuck out of this resort.”
“I don’t work for you, Mr. Black. I work for the resort.”
“Let’s get one thing straight. You and I both know who’s paying your salary this weekend. So get the fuck out of here.”
“You sure that’s what you want?”
I meet his gaze, glaring at him as I’ve never glared at anyone before.
Except that man, all those years ago.
I truly thought it was over until Dirk came to me three months ago.
But I knew then, and I know now.
It’s far from over.
“Hey,” the barkeep says, “I’d be willing to let bygones be bygones. I’ll take whatever I know to the grave.Ifyou put in a good word for me with the woman. The gorgeous one in black. I’m pretty sure I know her from somewhere.”
“Fuck off.” I grab my phone, make a call.
He’ll be gone by morning.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tessa
The moonlight glitters on the vast ocean, and I sink my toes into the sand, walking along the shore.
The party is over, and all the bridesmaids have retired to their rooms. Skye and Braden are no doubt having hot monkey sex in their suite.
But I’m not ready to go to bed yet.
