Page 43 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
Fuck.Could this day get any worse?
Abel knows he can’t disclose a single detail about the club due to his NDA, but Berenice is a different story. She isn't bound by any contract, and her loyalty is to Veronica, not me. The way her eyes narrow tells me she’s already piecing things together. The silence is deafening.
Veronica walks over to us. “Hey guys, you’re early."
“We thought we’d have some breakfast,” Berenice tells her friend, though her gaze never leaves my face.
“Yeah. There’s plenty for one more,” Abel says, his voice casual, but that knowing glint remains in his eyes as he looks at all of us.
I lock eyes with him, silently daring him to let it slip. I don’t know why I care so much about her knowing who I’m with. I’ve watched her withcountless partners, yet the thought of her knowing my secrets makes my chest tighten.
“That sounds great. ButMileswas just leaving,” Veronica enunciates, her voice clipped and cold.
All heads turn in my direction. But I try my best to avoid their gazes. I have a plane to catch. “Right,” I say, my reply sounding steadier than I feel. I force myself to break eye contact with Abel and look at Veronica one last time. “I’ll be in touch.”
She doesn't respond. I brush past her friends and exit the building.
Veronica
Chapter 22
Berenice offered to lenda hand once a week, leaning on her social work experience. Finding Abel by her side was a shock; he’s usually dead to the world during the day after a night at the club.
“Thanks for the food,” I say, looking at the empty plate of toast and eggs. I’ve been better about eating lately, especially since starting self-defense classes. It seems the training has left me hungrier than usual. I’m also trying hard to be comfortable with eating around others. I glance up and catch them watching me.
“What?” I ask, shifting in my seat. “Is there something on my face?”
Bere doesn't laugh. There’s a look in her eyes that says she isn't letting me off the hook. “Are we really not going to talk about it?”
I pick at my nails, hoping that if I don't bring it up, the moment will just pass. It doesn't.
“Start talking,” Abel says. It isn’t a suggestion; it’s an order.
I tell them almost everything. I leave out the pills, the getting mugged part, especially the photograph.
“What a son of a bitch,” Bere shouts, loud enough for only us to hear. This is supposed to be a professional meeting, after all. I glance down and see her leg bouncing, a nervous habit she can never quite shake when she’s holding something back.
“Bere, is there something you need to tell me?”
She looks at Abel, but he just shakes his head, his expression grim.
“I can’t,” he whispers, leaning in close. “I’ll be in deep shit. Plus, you’re fucking the owner. You should tell her.”
The hairs on my arms stand up. “What’s going on? You’re freaking me out.”
“Well…” Her voice is low. “I’ve seen Miles before…at the club,” Bere says.
Shocked is an understatement. I feel the blood drain from my face. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“The night you went with me?” she continues, her voice trembling slightly. “I saw him there. He’s…he’s one of Sebastian’s business associates.”
Abel decided to chime in. “Since she broke the news, you should know he’s a regular there.”
I turn to Bere. “What was he wearing that night? Was he wearing a mask?”
“Not when I saw him.”
I let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. If he had seen me there, I would have been royally fucked, no pun intended.
