Twisted Lies (Dirty Secrets) by Sedona Venez Read Free Book Online Page B

vacation with Jade wouldn’t be relaxation. It would be a nonstop party, and I don’t have the strength for that right now. Besides, I have a whole collection to design.”
    Tabitha’s pouty lips pursed. “You have to rest, Sin. You’re driving yourself into the ground.”
    My face tightened. “Well, that’s cute—advice coming from the president of the workaholic club. No, thanks. I have a lot of work to do. Speaking of work, I left early to attend this meeting.” I pressed forward. “So where’s my investor?” My lips pursed with displeasure.
    I really hated the word investor . It was too mysterious, and not in a good way. Knowing the rough crowd she did business with, it was damn near sinister.
    “He just called me. He can’t make it. He has a business deal to wrap up, but his partner, Ram Steele, will be coming in his place.”
    I glowered. “He called an emergency meeting and then doesn’t show? Sounds like some bullshit to me.”
    Tabitha shrugged. “He’s a very busy man.”
    Staring at her like she’d lost her mind, I responded. “And I’m not? What’s with all this mystery?” I hissed. “Why can’t I know his damn name?”
    Tabitha’s eyes hardened. “Darling, the less you know, the better. Believe me.”
    My hands tightened around the glass stem. Shit! That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
    “Sin, I swear to you he’s legit. I wouldn’t get you involved if he wasn’t.”
    I stared at her with disapproval.
    Tabitha sighed heavily. “Sin, you can’t have it both ways. You asked me to find an investor, and I did. You got the money. Isn’t that all that matters now?”
    Is it?
    Frankly, I didn’t know, but I did know I wouldn’t be able to complete my collection without the investor.
    My body slowly relaxed. “You’re right.” I sighed heavily while tapping my fingers against the glass. “I guess I’m anxious about why he wanted to meet me. Shit, it’s been several months since he gave me the money, and he hasn’t met me once. Why does he want to meet now?” My eyes widened. “Is he concerned about my business being able to make a profit?”
    Tabitha shrugged. “Don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
    I arched a brow. “You didn’t ask?”
    “He’s not exactly the type of man that you question. He orders, and you do it. That’s it.”
    My brows furrowed with concern. “Oh God.” I gulped my drink.
    He was a control freak. This was going to be a mess if he wanted to now step in and micromanage the way I ran my business.
    Squished by the mounting crowd, Tabitha bumped me with her elbow and hip. I instantly adjusted to make room for her to lean against the bar.
    “Look, there’s nothing to worry about.” She glanced around curiously. “He’s pretty much hands-off until he thinks the business isn’t going to make a profit. And your business is on the cusp of making a shitload of money. If it weren’t, believe me, he wouldn’t have given you the money in the first place.” She paused. “Be grateful, Sin. It could be worse. My investor is up my ass on every collection. Do you know what that does to the creative process?” She wrapped a hand around my waist and gently squeezed. “Sin, will you relax? Why can’t you just enjoy your success without adding drama?”
    Nothing about my life had been easy, especially since I’d walked away from my mother. I’d had to fight, scratch, and crawl to get to where I was today. I knew I’d earned the right to be here, but I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder, waiting for the bubble to burst.
    I took a calming breath. “God, you’re right. I’m worrying for nothing.”
    Tabitha winked at me. “That’s right, baby. Now let’s order a round of martinis, toast to the good life, and hope Mr. Steele drags his ass here sooner than later, before we both get pissy drunk.”
    She gestured for the bartender, but he was already heading toward us with two dry gin martinis.
    “Dry gin martinis,” he said, sliding a drink each