Revenge #4 Read Free

smile.
    “Nick the dick,” I say. “Yup. Nick the dick.”
    His mouth moves into an actual smile. That’s interesting. Nick enjoys being called names. I’m not entirely surprised. He’s a weird dude.
    “What did you do?” I ask. “Why did your mother banish you to the archives?”
    “Can you keep a secret?”
    I hate it when people ask that question. How am I supposed to promise if I don’t know what kind of secret it is?
    “Sure,” I say carefully.
    His hand grazes mine over the pile of papers between us. I’m surprised by how warm his skin is. In this honest moment, he seems more human to me.
    I wouldn’t be attracted to him, even if he wasn’t gay, so it’s not awkward when our hands keep bumping into each other.
    “Keep this secret, but I’m not actually banished,” he says. “My mother and I are pretending to be at war with each other, so people don’t get suspicious.”
    “Suspicious of what? Are you two planning a big corporate takeover?” I chuckle at my joke.
    He doesn’t answer me, but his hand trembles as he tapes up the repaired cardboard box.
    “Holy shit,” I say. “You are planning a corporate takeover.”
    “I shouldn’t say.”
    “She wants to push out Mr. Morris? But doesn’t he own the company outright? How can you even do that?”
    Nick places his hand over top of mine, on the box lid.
    “I’ve told you too much,” he says.
    My mind is whirring with a million thoughts.
    “But why?” I ask. “Mr. Morris is so nice, and he’s a smart businessman.”
    Disdain crosses Nick’s face. He spits out, “Because Carter Morris deserves nothing less than to have his life’s work taken away from him.”
    “Are you joking?” I pull my hand away from his. Nick might be gay, but too much body contact is squicking me out.
    He leans back and looks me over calmly. “You’re young. I guess you haven’t learned to spot all the sociopaths in your life.”
    I snort. “Apparently not.” He seems to be implying something about Dylan, and I shouldn’t take the bait. I bite my tongue.
    “My mother built this company,” Nick says. “I saw for myself how hard she worked. She was never around for me, because she was always on call for Carter Morris. In more ways than one.”
    “They were hooking up? OMG. Gross.”
    A flash of disgust goes across Nick’s usually-calm face. He’s really rattled today.
    “Don’t answer that,” I say. “I won’t tell anyone about your secret corporate takeover plans, but you need to be straight with me. What does all this have to do with Dylan?”
    Nick blinks several times. “Nothing.” He blinks a few more times. “We want him to sign a high value recording deal. But we could use someone else. Anyone will do. Anyone. Just a pretty face with a good voice.”
    I stare at Nick’s face, watching for clues.
    “And then what?” I ask.
    “None of your business.”
    I think for a minute, wondering if Nick will tell me more in exchange for something I know. That’s how gossip with my friends always worked. Corporate secrets are just another form of gossip, I think.
    Slowly, I casually ask, “Did you know Dylan has… sort of a sponsor? Someone helping to guide him?”
    “No.” Nick’s voice wavers, and his eyebrows raise dramatically. “Really?” He frowns, his forehead furrowing deeply. “What do you know about this sponsor? Are you sure it’s not just an agent?”
    A bad feeling twists through my stomach.
    I get to my feet and dust off my knees.
    Nick is lying to me. I’m sure of it.
    He probably does know more about Dylan’s sponsor, but won’t tell me. His facial reactions are totally exaggerated, like he’s overcompensating.
    Part of my business degree included a course on psychology, and reading people. Most people are transparent, if you think to look.
    “You can tell me anything,” Nick says. He’s still sitting cross-legged on the floor. In his black jeans, his skinny legs remind me of a twisted licorice stick.
    For an