He thinks the worst of me—he’ll think I set Andy up.
And he’ll be partially right.
That wide smile he gave Andy…and their good-humored laughter… I haven’t had either from Dominic since he came back into my life.
I’m tempted to call Tolyan to arrange for security, at least twenty armed and dangerous men. I should’ve taken his advice. Then I wouldn’t feel so cold and shaky.
Pull yourself together.
I can’t fall apart over something that happened five years ago. The trip back home is in two days. I’ll be on Dominic’s plane, assuming Andy doesn’t tag along.
If he does, I’m getting on a commercial jet. I don’t care if I have to sit next to a bathroom the entire time.
Don’t freak out. What you did wouldn’t have worked if Andy weren’t a sociopath.
Ming Ming has top-flight security here. Andy can’t do anything. I already checked. His parents aren’t dead yet. They know what’s at stake.
Still, I text Dorothy. Keep your son away from me.
A moment later, I get a response.
What do you mean?
Is she serious? Barely containing my fury, I type, The deal between us has two parts. Letting Andy run wild is breaking one of them, which means I am going to break one of my choosing.
He went to a friend’s party.
Where I am.
She doesn’t respond for so long, I wonder if she’s ignoring me. Finally, her text comes in. He probably didn’t do it on purpose.
Like I should take comfort in that!
How is he supposed to know your schedule unless you provide it?
Does she think I’m crazy? I’m not going to let her psycho son know when and where I’m going to be. And I text her as much.
I know you want your privacy. Believe me, we’re doing everything we can to keep our promise. Please, Elizabeth, be reasonable.
Her panicked plea is palpable through the text. She knows I can ruin her husband’s political career—the sole source of their power and wealth, which are the two things she cares about more than anything in the world. It’s sickening that I have to put up with her and her family.
A deal is a deal, I text.
Okay, okay. I’ll take care of it. Just give me some time.
I drop the phone back into my tote bag.
The knot of unease in my heart won’t loosen. Andy’s right. His parents clearly don’t have what it takes to keep him under control anymore.
And it won’t surprise me if he does something to threaten or hurt them. I wish I’d called Dorothy so I could have gauged her tone of voice, but it’s too late now.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Elizabeth
The party continues. I avoid Dominic, since Andy stays close to him, and mingle with acquaintances and friends, pretending my heart isn’t racing, my body full of adrenaline.
Knowing Ming Ming, the party won’t end until well after midnight. A little after sunset, she finally brings out a huge, eight-tiered birthday cake with twenty-seven candles. We all sing “Happy Birthday,” then clap as she blows them out.