Page 75 of Full Throttle 2

Lila agreed. “I don’t ever recall being this happy. I just pray we can maintain it.”

“You deserve it, Lila.”

Anxiousness was seeping back into Lila’s consciousness. “Everything I want and need is right here in this room. However, that could change at any minute.”

“Why would you say that?” Colby asked, her brows knitted together in confusion.

Lila shifted uncomfortably, looking down and fiddling with her hands. “Remember my ex that I told you about?”

“Yeah?”

“Well . . . he might be coming.”

Colby’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. What?! Why?!”

“Brian has something up his sleeve. Not sure what, but I’m half hoping I don’t have to lay eyes on that man. He reminds me of my past and all the bad choices I made.”

Colby placed her hand on Lila’s shoulder. “None of us are perfect. You have to forgive yourself. The past is in the past.”

Colby had a point. Still, it was hard. Lila’s eyes widened in surprise. “Do you see who just walked in?”

Colby followed Lila’s line of sight. “Is that?”

“Yes, Senator Wright and Bella Knight.”

“TheBella Knight. Isn’t she like the richest African American woman on the planet?”

Lila nodded. “I think she’s worth like a gazillion dollars. I wonder what she’s doing here?”

Colby giggled. “She probably walked into the wrong room.”

The humor on Lila’s face evaporated, and she looked as if she’d seen a ghost.

“What’s wrong?”

Lila’s knees felt wobbly. She could barely talk. “He’s here. Not only did he come, but Carrington also brought his wife.”

Brian saw them the moment they entered the room. “Game time.”

Liam glanced over. “You need backup?”

“I can handle it, but if you want to watch me work, please feel free to join the conversations. However, I need Lila and Colby in order to zip this up.”

Brian and Liam walked over to them.

If looks could kill, Brian would be six feet under. However, he held Lila’s gaze. His eyes said,Trust me.

“There are a few people you need to meet.”

Colby glanced between Lila and Brian. She was hesitant. “Maybe after Lila and I freshen up?” Colby first needed to make sure Lila was good.

Lila wouldn’t take her eyes off Brian.

“Remember when I asked you to trust me?”

Lila pressed her lips together in a firm line and nodded. It was so slight that it was almost imperceptible.

Colby didn’t know what to do, so she took her cue from Lila.