Page 61 of The Bad Husband

So let me see if I got this right.

Men cheat in the back room while playing cards, with the help of a woman, or maybe more, and now someone feeds Henrietta information?

Is it the parking valet?

I doubt it.

No sane man would risk their livelihood for something stupid like that.

It can’t be someone from my crew either. No one wants to die over some woman accompanying me upstairs.

Is Henrietta bluffing?

She must be bluffing.

“I thought we were done with this,” I say.

“Well. I don’t think we’re done, are we? We have an agreement, Damon. You want more, you can get more, but then I’ll have to keep my part.”

I weigh her words, my eyes pinned on her as I move closer to her.

“Listen. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t want more. I want what’s mine. You’re lucky that you’re still here. I gave you the chance to get out of this without anything bad happening to you. I won’t be listening to your crazy ideas now. What we have agreed on is not up for renegotiation.”

“She’s in our house.”

“Yes, she is. And she’ll stay with us for as long as she needs to, so no lawyer can screw with you. I thought you were on board with that. What’s your fucking problem now?”

She arches an eyebrow at me.

“Where was she last night?”

“When exactly? She was here when we left.”

“When we returned. When the people from the club called your work phone.”

I flick my shoulders.

“I don’t know. She was here. Swimming, I think.”

“You think?”

“That’s what the cameras say.”

I slide out my personal phone and swipe the screen a few times. I make sure I offer her a recording of Lila Skye swimming with a timestamp.

“Look for yourself,” I say, handing her my phone and moving my focus to the crowd outside.

A year from now, this place will look different. I may or may not keep the house. For sure, Henrietta won’t be here. If she’s lucky and stops asking stupid questions, trying to stir up trouble, she’ll be alive. And well on her way to husband number… I don’t know. Whatever?

And I’ll be… It’s hard to tell. Life has surprised me too many times. I could go up. I could go down.

I could be dead.

One thing is sure. I’ll get my money. I have a reputation to protect, and my reputation will be my legacy when I’m gone.

She hands me my phone.

“What’s up with the jealousy?” I ask, tucking my phone away.