Henson’s face turned red where Lauren had gripped him, and he managed to choke out, “You should be grateful your sister is Edith.”
If it had been any other woman–especially one who wasn’t family–daring to grab him like that, things would have gone very differently.
“You even remember my sister’s name?” Lauren’s anger morphed into sudden panic. “What did you do to her? Where is she?”
Edith was so young–she’d barely escaped a hellhole with her life. There was no way Lauren would let anything happen to her now.
Sweat beaded on Henson’s forehead. “Knowing her name doesn’t mean I’ve done anything to her!”
“Then why do you know her name? Unless you already did something to her!”
Lauren’s stare was sharp and unyielding; Henson rolled his eyes in exasperation. “I’m friends with Justin. Is it so strange that I know your sister?”
Lauren shot back, “Justin would never hang out with someone as twisted as you. Don’t try to fool me!”
Henson gestured toward the last room at the end of the hall. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you. Justin’s still inside.”
Lauren eyed him warily. “Fine, let’s go. But if I don’t see Justin, I’m calling the cops on you–don’t think
I won’t!”
She followed Henson like a guard escorting a suspect, staying close behind as they made their way to the private lounge.
Henson could practically feel the pressure of a gun aimed at his back.
Damn it.
She really ought to be glad she has family ties to Justin–otherwise, she’d never last a day in
Northcrest.
He hesitated for just a second at the door, and immediately Lauren gave him a sharp kick. “What are you waiting for? Planning some trick? I’m warning you, I got you sent to the police at the airport, and I can do it here too!”
Henson snorted. “Oh, a simple ‘looks like I was wrong‘–does that count as an apology now?”
But Lauren wasn’t listening; her full attention was on Justin and the woman by his side.
So she’d guessed right–Justin did like this kind of girl. Pretty, gentle features, a delicate air, but with a certain coolness that set her apart.
Henson followed Lauren’s gaze and only then realized what a stupid thing he’d just done to prove his innocence.
He’d let Edith’s sister see Justin drinking with another woman.
And Justin, of all times, was dead drunk–worse than if he’d been sober.
At least when Justin was sober, he’d never let another woman get this close.
Now, Henson felt every bit like the guilty guy caught red–handed. “Hey, listen, let me explain—”

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