Page 94 of The Player's Club
“No. I came to warn you. My boss took me off the story about you, but he’s assigned another reporter. Darren is a total bloodhound. He can track dirt in a snowstorm.”
“And what? You’ll get a byline in Darren’s story? Congrats.” My tone dripped with contempt.
“No, listen to me!” Elodie hissed. “Darren has the address to the club. He’s been watching it. He’s been watching you. You need to stay away from there.”
“And let me guess, you gave him the address? Sweetheart, if you’re trying to do the right thing here, you suck at it.”
“I did, before I got to know you.” Elodie hung onto my arm, her gaze intent. “I wish I never had. But I’m telling you what I know before it’s too late. You’ll keep a low profile if you don’t want the whole world to know about the club.”
I stared down at her. I had a feeling that in this instance, she was telling the truth. I could hear the regret in her voice. But it was too late for regret. The damage had been done.
I gently moved her hand from my arm. “Thanks for telling me,” I said quietly. “I’ll be careful. Now, I need to go.”
Elodie looked frantic. “Mac, please. I’m so, so sorry.”
“You’ve said that already.”
“Do you believe me, then?”
I sighed. “I believe that you feel guilty and are doing anything you can to make yourself feel better.”
“It’s not that! I want to help you.” Tears spilled down her cheeks now. “Mac, I love you. I know I wasn’t supposed to fall for you, but I did. I love you so much. I hate that I hurt you. I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”
“Elodie . . .”
“You said you had feelings for me. Are those gone now?”
I didn’t know what my feelings were anymore. Everything had gotten so fucked up that I didn’t know where to begin to untangle everything.
“You know, I’ve heard those words before,” I said. “Caroline would always tell me she loved me and couldn’t live without me when I tried to end things.”
I shook my head. “Christ, I should’ve called Tony back. I’m such a goddamn idiot.”
Elodie looked confused. “Tony?”
“My lawyer. He pulled a background check on you, but I didn’t want him to do it. It seemed unnecessary. I guess he was right after all.”
“I’m not a criminal! And I’m not Caroline either.”
“You might not be a criminal, but you and Caroline are both liars, that’s for sure.”
Elodie flinched. “Mac—”
“You’re both liars. You both use love as a weapon to get me to do what you want. Now that I think about it, you ladies are two peas in a pod. I guess I have a type.” I laughed, but it was hollow.
“I’m not using my love as a weapon. I’m just telling you that I’m doing this, trying to make things right because I love you,” Elodie protested.
“Whatever makes you sleep at night.”
Elodie’s expression shuttered. “Now you’re being cruel.”
“Am I? I told you to go. You’re the one intent on keeping this going.”
“What can I do? What can I do to make you believe me?”
“Nothing. It’s over, Elodie. We’re over. Don’t you get that?” I brushed past her and opened my car door. “Just leave me alone, Elodie. Go home and move on with your life.”
She wasn’t crying anymore. She raised her chin, her fists clenched, and she looked like a warrior. Like she’d beat down the gates of hell to get to me. But it was too late for that. Her lies had ruined everything between us. I’d told her that trust was the most important thing to me, and she’d betrayed my trust.