Page 144 of Breaking Hollywood

I read the words she typed into a Note on her phone.

I think your apartment is bugged. We need to talk. It’s important. Bathroom is a safe place.

I look up at her. “Are you being for real right now?”

She snatches her phone from my hand. Yes, she mouths.

I look at Vaughn for help, and he just shrugs, hands out, palms up.

“What’s going on?” Julian asks.

Charly puts her finger to her lips and hands her phone to Julian.

He reads it and then mouths, Holy fuck. He hands Charly’s phone back to her, his eyes roaming over my living room.

Charly taps me on the shoulder and mouths, Bathroom. Now.

“For fuck’s sake.” I sigh. I could really do without this shit right now.

But I still get up from the sofa and start to follow Charly to the bathroom.

The next thing I know, Julian’s beside me, and then Vaughn’s on my other side. Apparently, they’re coming, too.

I shake my head with annoyance and walk quickly to my bedroom, wanting to get this shit over and done with as soon as possible.

When we reach the bathroom, Charly’s already inside.

We file in, and she shuts the door behind us. Then, she proceeds to turn on the faucets on the sink and the shower, leaving them all running.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I frown at her.

“If your bedroom is bugged as well, then they won’t be able to hear us over the sound of the running water.”

“Really?” Vaughn asks.

“Yeah. I saw it once on TV.”

“I think I’ve seen that, too,” Julian chimes in.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” I snap. “I’m going.”

I reach for the door when Charly barks at me, “Don’t you dare open that door, Gabriel.”

I look back at her. “And if I do?”

“Then, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Because I know for a fact that Ava didn’t sell you out. She was set up, and I know exactly how, why, and who did it.”

My heart starts to beat erratically in my chest. But I keep my expression calm.

I remove my hand from the door and turn around to face Charly. “Is that so?” I lift a brow.

“Yep.” She folds her arms over her chest.

“Tell us then,” Julian says eagerly.

I shoot him a look.

“What?” he asks innocently. “I’m just keen to know—for your benefit, of course.”