Page 37 of Fallen Angel

Her phone rings. Gavin. Her impulse is to send it to voicemail, but why delay the inevitable?

“I’m sorry to call so early,” he says. “But … have you seen the Post?”

Her stomach drops.

“Um, yes,” she says. “I can explain.” Even though she can’t. What is there to say? The photo and caption aren’t vague.

“We should discuss, but I’m on my way to court. When I get a sense of when the break will be, why don’t we grab a quick lunch. If you don’t mind coming all the way down?”

“Of course. No problem. I’ll meet you there whenever.”

After the call, she examines the online photo of herself. She looks startled by the glare of the camera, like the proverbial deer in headlights. Funny, she doesn’t even remember that moment. She must have had one too many shots before they left the club. In contrast, by her side, Bette looks cool and impervious, like she’s used to fame. Yes, Bette is cut out for that life. She, Mallory, is not.

Everything feels off, like she’s losing control of her life. Maybe Alison and Julie were right after all.

Violet kicks off the covers, stretches out her nude body with a yawn, and reaches for her phone. She scrolls through the images of Billy Barton being ass-fucked by the Burberry model, and it almost makes her wet—not because the images are hot, but because they’re going to change her life.

She drops the phone down into the sheets and rubs her clit with her index finger, thinking of the way she fucked Poppy LaRue, but instead of Poppy tied up on her bed it’s Mallory. What will it take to get Mallory in that position? Some help from Alec, that’s what.

Emboldened by her success last night with Billy Barton, Violet feels she’s on a hot streak and dials Alec’s cell.

“Hello?”

He sounds groggy.

“It’s noon,” Violet said. “Are you sleeping? I didn’t know you party that hard.” Her estimation of him goes up a notch.

“How did you get my number?” he says.

“Oh, I have everyone’s number,” she says. Literally and figuratively. “I’ll make this quick so you can get your beauty sleep: Let’s meet up again tonight, the three of us. “

“I don’t think that’s going to happen tonight,” Alec says. She can hear him getting up and walking around.

“What’s the problem? Too tired? I’m sure Mallory is ready for some fun.”

“I don’t think so,” he says.

“Are you cranky because I didn’t fuck you, too?”

“Jesus, Violet. It’s a little early in the day for this. No, the truth is Mal isn’t up for your games, okay?”

“I think you’d be surprised what Mallory is up for,” Violet says. “You’re being too hasty in answering for her. Perhaps you should just keep your dick in your pants this time and let the girls have all the fun. Are you willing to take one for the team, Alec?”

“Mallory and I are the team, Violet. You were just a side player.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” he says.

“We’ll see. Oh—and Alec?”

“What?”

“I can’t wait to taste your girlfriend’s pussy again.”

She hangs up and starts composing a text to Mallory.

Chapter Nineteen