But she’s about to find out.
I wait until she’s up on the stage. A soft spotlight shines on her, rendering the audience in relative shadow. As always, she wants to sparkle brighter than anyone else in her orbit. She loves being the center of attention, the center of everyone’s admiration. Nothing wrong with that, usually...but she’s ruthless in achieving it. She steps on others to get her way, pushing everyone else down so she can rise above.
“Thank you all for being here with me tonight,” she says into the microphone, her red lips gleaming. “I’m so pleased you’re here to celebrate the newest milestone in Pinton Environmental Consulting Solutions. This is an exciting new venture, and we’re so happy to be in San Esteban!”
That’s my cue. I stride across the room quickly and purposefully, then step past our guards and into the hall leading to the AV room.
The flash drive is warm in my pocket. I open the AV room door.
A young woman, hired by the hotel, turns around in her seat in surprise. “You aren’t supposed to be here, are you? I was told Ms. Pinton wanted the hotel to take care of AV.”
Behind her is a small window where the proceedings in the ballroom can be viewed. Amber’s still happily captivating her audience, her diamond bracelet catching the spotlight as she talks.
“Change of plans.” I keep my tone easy. “Ms. Pinton wants a different video montage. Last-minute change. I have her flash drive here.”
“Oh, sure.” She holds out her hand.
“Actually, I’d rather handle it. If you can just show me where it goes, you can take a quick break.” I don’t want her to get buried in the fallout after Amber’s talk goes south.
“Um...okay.” Her mouth twists in uncertainty. Her intuition is probably telling her that I’m not up to anything good here.
I reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’ve done this sort of thing before.”
It’s a lie, but she buys it. “Well, if you’re sure? I’ve been eyeing those crab puffs and I wouldn’t mind a second to sneak into the kitchen to snag one before they’re gone.”
“You should definitely try the crab puffs. Where do I put the flash drive, though?”
Danica
I’m equal parts rage, equal parts devastated. No matter what Edmund says to reassure me, I know this is my fault. I drove Troy out of my life, out of Edmund’s life.
If I’d just fucking listened to Troy, he wouldn’t be here at this stupid hotel, kissing another woman.
She’s gorgeous, by the way. Of course she is. Gleaming hair, clear skin, bright eyes, and the kind of smile that probably makes everyone fall in love with her.
She and Troy look good together. So good, I think I might puke.
“Steady, Danica.” Edmund holds my hand. “Remember the plan.”
The plan? The plan was to find him and talk to him, because he hasn’t been answering his fucking phone. We showed up here tonight to convince him to come back. Apologize and grovel, whatever it takes. But that won’t fucking work. Because why would he want me—why would he even look at me, when he could have her?
Edmund leans in closer. “Breathe, angel.”
Impossible. My lungs are collapsing inward, squeezing into nothing.
Amber Pinton, CEO of Pinton Environmental Consulting Solutions and my newest, fiercest enemy, graciously invites us to watch a brief video presentation. She promises it will outline the company’s goals for aiding companies not only in compliance with environmental law, but also for improving the environment through projects that restore habitats and support endangered species.
So not only is she beautiful, she’s a freaking hero.
I can’t stand this.
A video starts to play on a large projector screen behind her, but quickly stops.
Amber chuckles as her eyes flash to a little window off to the side. “Tech fail,” she says with a grin. “Looks like my sweet boyfriend, Troy, has things under control now.”
Her boyfriend? I feel sick.
I feel like I could burn down this hotel.
