Page 23 of Vexatious Queen

“Of course, reginette. It’s underway and will be ready as soon as you’re done. Did Victoria come with you?”

Ren shook her head. “No, she stayed at school.”

“Oh…okay then. I will try to connect with her later.”

“I’d better get to therapy,” Ren said.

“Yes, of course. Go, go. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

As soon as I was sure she was out of earshot, my smile fell. I didn’t dare tell Ren my crazy suspicions. She’d been through far too much already. Even if I believed there might be a chance that Ana was alive, it would be cruel to tell Ren, especially if it all turned out to be someone setting me up for money laundering. No, she couldn’t know.

My gaze locked on Nash, and his eyes grew wide as he swallowed hard.

“Whatever it is, I didn’t do it this time,” he said.

“Close the door, we need to talk.”

JANUARY 15 – THURSDAY 9:53 PM

Nash

“You okay,” Ren asked.

She sat curled up by my side in the limo, and I hated that I was once more keeping a secret from her.

“Yeah, just a lot on my mind.”

“Did my dad say something to upset you?”

Yes, but not what you think.

I shook my head.

“Just trying to sort out what to do with my life. Edmundo mentioned that he wants me to take over at Collier Enterprises as soon as I graduate. It’s great that he believes in me, but…it feels like everything I have has been given to me. I haven’t built anything for myself from the ground up.”

“What about the club?”

“That’s partially true,” I said, nodding. “But I still needed the guys to kick in some capital, and your dad helped me finish. I never would’ve gotten it running on my own or managed to fix all the repairs after Halloween without his help. I hate feeling like a freeloader, especially with your father.”

“I don’t think he sees it that way, but I get what you mean. You want to…to…to create something worthwhile…from scratch without any help.”

“Yes, exactly.” Cupping her cheek, I traced my thumb over her soft skin. “What did the speech therapist say?”

With a sigh, Ren leaned into my hand before sitting back and crossing her arms.

“That I need to be patient. That I will have days like this.” She rubbed at her forehead like that would somehow fix the misfire in her brain. “I was going to back out of the TA spot. Sharpe is…is being a jerk, but the therapist still wants me to to do it.”

The anger was instant. If Sharpe had upset Ren, then he had to deal with me, and I didn’t give a fuck if he was a teacher.

“What do you mean? Is he picking on you? I will…” She laid her hand on mine and shook her head. “You know what I was going to say?”

“Think I do. No, he is…just pushing hard. Almost too hard. Just didn’t think I…was ready. But my therapist thinks it will be good for me,” Ren said.

“What do you want to do,” I asked, prying her hand away from her crossed arms.

Ren was silent for a long time. Her eyes were open, but she wasn’t seeing me. It was as if she was looking through me and watching something only she could.

“I don’t know,” she finally said. “I really don’t.”