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"Riker’s gay," he says "Which wouldn’t be a problem except for a few important details He’s not only in the closet, he’s married to a woman, has three kids with her, and a father who’s a conservative politician And yes, I have proof The man is in bed with so many men I wonder how his wife doesn’t know And before you ask, I’h She doesn’t"

I suck in a breath and let it out "I don’t want to be the person that screws up this family’s life"

"He’ll never let me tell her," he assures me "And I wouldn’t without your approval anyway You know that But for the record, this family’s life is already screwed up and it’s fucked up that they don’t know it"

I hesitate all of two seconds "Do it" The truth is, uilt asted on a ht then," Seth replies "Right after I pay the ‘other wo about Nina?"

"I have it handled"

Still he doesn’t leave, an expectant few beats of silence passing before he asks, "Anything else?"

Translation He wants to know about E around about her, somewhere in the middle of this conversation, I’ve decided I’," I say

He narrows his gaze afor the door

"Don’t shut it," I call after hi down at it, clear on how to handle it, but E a distraction to keepthe Martina connection would be sh to want to believe E me the truth She’s either the only woman who’s ever rocked my world, or she’s a source of information I can, and will, use

I round the desk and the instant I’m out the door, Jessica says, "Your father--"

"Handled," I say, and I don’t stop walking, passingdown the hallway and through the lobby, where Kelly is greeting a visitor I don’t know

Continuing on, I enter the next hallway to my father’s office, not sure if I should expect to be requesting E with my father or if I’ll find her still present and accounted for I round the corner, bringing the empty desk in front of ain is actually a relief If she was a game piece my father and/or brother placed in an atteame, she’d still be here

I walk tohilances up "I’ll call you back," he says to whoever is on the line, clearly not waiting on a reply before hanging up to direct his, "About da in front of his desk, I toss the envelope down as I had the photo of Derek and the FDA inspector "I know that’s a payoff" I know I can’t cave too easily or he’ll suspect so it to you on a thumb drive or hard copy You didn’t want it proof of our file transfer What’s it for?"