Chapter 37
thirty-seven
FRANCIE
“This is it,” I murmur, as Skyler comes to a stop outside an expensive five-storied brownstone apartment building on the Upper East Side.
Annalise’s address was easy enough to find out.
One phone call to Jesse, who looked at Skyler’s contacts on her phone as he muttered, “remind me never to get on your bad side,” and two seconds later we had the intel.
Now we’re staring at the kind of building where the air smells faintly of Christian Dior and generational wealth.
And I should know.
“Are you sure you don’t want backup?” Skyler asks, peering through the windshield like she wants to storm the place herself.
“I can play the muscle. Or the getaway driver.” She gives me a soft smile.
“Or the wildly supportive friend who stands in the background and mutters passive aggressive commentary.”
“You wouldn’t mutter,” I tell her. “You’d scream it.”
“You know me so well. And that’s why I love you.”
I reach out to squeeze her hand. “Thank you for all your support. But this one is mine.”
“Shall I stay here? Circle the block? Wait at the corner like a mom on a school run?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Go over to Hudson’s. Make him grovel. I’ll grab a cab when I’m done.”
Skyler looks more than a little disappointed. But she’s also a good friend, so she nods. “Fine, but call me as soon as you’re out of there. I need proof of life.”
“I will,” I promise, reaching for the door handle. I’m trying not to show how scared I am. How confronting Annalise feels like I’m heading back to high school and standing up to my bullies. But I have to do this. And do it alone.
She has videos of me. She was using them to blackmail Asher. And I can’t let her win.
I climb out of the car and go to close the door. “Hey Francie,” Skyler says. She’s giving me a serious look.
“Yes?”
“Don’t let her get in your head.”
“I won’t,” I promise.
And with that, I close the door and step into enemy territory.
The doorman looks at me as soon as I walk onto the path. “Can I help you?” he asks.
I put on my best rich-girl smile. Because if I’ve learned one thing growing up with money, it’s that bluffing is so much easier when you’re confident and not afraid.
“I’m here to see Annalise Vale. She’s expecting me.” I pretend to tap out on my phone then smile. “I’ll let her know I’m here.” I wink. “Ugh, she’s in the bathroom. Urinary infection, probably best not to call over the intercom.”
He shifts his feet, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “She’s on the top floor.”
I give a light laugh. “I know that, silly.”
He hesitates for a beat. Probably weighing whether he wants to deal with Annalise in full diva mode if I’m telling the truth. But then he steps aside and pushes the door open.
“Have a nice day,” he murmurs.
I smile as I breeze past like I own the place, then feel the cool rush of air as the door closes behind me.
The lobby is all marble floors and fresh flowers. The kind of place where the furniture costs more than most people’s annual salaries. I press the old-fashioned elevator button, and watch the wooden doors whisper open before I step inside.
My heart starts to speed as it smoothly rises up. I try to get my thoughts straight in my head.
When the elevator arrives on the top floor – directly opposite her door – I step out and rap my knuckles against the oak. Steeling myself for what happens next.
Within moments the door is flung open.
And there she is.
Annalise. The woman Asher used to love. I try to ignore the clench of jealousy in my stomach because I don’t want to be that girl. The one who gets annoyed that her boyfriend has a past. And she is the past.
Whatever he’s doing, he’s not cheating on me. He’s just being an idiot.
Barefoot, wearing a floor-length cashmere cardigan over what looks like extremely expensive loungewear. Her gaze rakes over my face. Her expression is a mixture of shock and pure Upper East Side disdain.
“Oh my,” she says slowly, like she’s trying to decide if I’m just a bad dream. “I wasn’t expecting a trash collection today.”
I smile sweetly. “Figured I’d drop by and say hi. Since you seem so obsessed by me.”
Her jaw tightens. “I’m just trying to figure out what Asher sees in you. You’re so… messy.”
I step inside without being invited, because manners are wasted on people like her. “I’m here because you’re blackmailing somebody I care about. And you’ve crossed a line.”
Her brows shoot up. “Blackmail is such an ugly word,” she says lightly. “Besides, it’s not my fault you two decided to turn his security system into your own version of Only Fans.”
My cheeks heat up but I don’t blink. “If you liked them that much, maybe you’re the one who should be paying for them.”
Her eyes narrow. “Oh sweetheart,” she says. “You think this is about you? I had him first. I know his body better than my own. He used to wake me up with his mouth between my thighs.” She tips her head to the side. “He never made me do it myself, not like you.”
I take a long breath in. Don’t let her get in your head.
She wants me flustered. Off balance. Small.
Too bad for her I’m done feeling that way.
“You really think this is about sex?” I ask, taking a step closer. “That what you had with Asher even comes close to what we have?”
Something flickers behind her eyes. I press on.
“Maybe you had his body. But you never had him. And that’s why this is eating you alive.”
She scoffs, but it’s tight. Defensive.
“You really want to do this?” she asks, flicking her hair behind her shoulders. “Because I have those videos. The ones where you’re mouthing his name like a bad lip-syncer. Imagine what people will think. Your family, your friends. Your employer.”
She doesn’t even know who I am, I realize. She doesn’t know me at all.
And that’s her problem.
I stare at her for a beat then laugh. Actually laugh. It bubbles out before I can stop it.
“Do it. Release them. Set up a TikTok channel. Go full influencer if you want. Because I don’t care.
I don’t care who sees them. They were made for the man I love and if people don’t understand that, then that’s their problem.
” I swallow hard. “That’s the difference between you and me.
I don’t build my self-worth on other people’s destruction.
I know who I am. I know what I’ve done. And I know who loves me. ”
Her lips twist. “You’ll regret this.”
I shake my head. “No, I really don’t think I will. But you will. You’re standing in a glass palace full of nothing but lies and bitterness. And you built it yourself. How does it feel? To know that nobody cares?”
She blinks. But says nothing.
So I give her a smile. The kind women reserve for other women who try to destroy them.
Then I walk out of the door, head high, heart hammering.
And I don’t look back.
ASHER
Hudson paces his office like a caged tiger, his phone to his ear, his jaw clenched so tight I can hear his teeth grinding.
“I don’t care if she’s not answering,” he barks. “Try again. Try everywhere.”
I’m right behind him, calling Jesse for the third time while I review every security log I can find, desperate to figure out what the hell Francie and Skyler are up to.
But Jesse isn’t picking up either now. I throw my phone down, annoyance rising inside me.
West, on the other hand, is leaning back in his chair, his legs crossed, sipping a glass of water like he’s got front row tickets at the theater.
Hudson slams his fist on the desk and West’s lips curl.
“Have either of you considered,” he says casually, “that you’re not the main characters in this particular episode.”
My eyes lock with Hudson’s. Yeah, we both pretty much want to kill his best friend right now.
Before we can decide on our weapon of choice, the office door bursts open like it’s been kicked.
Skyler strides in, her eyes narrow.
All the air rushes out of Hudson like a pricked balloon. “Sky…”
She puts her hand up, like she’s trying to block him. “Don’t try to sweet talk me,” she says. “Unless your next sentence is ‘here’s a chilled glass of lemonade and a full confession.”
“Where’s Francie?” I ask, looking behind her. I’m already rushing to the door, desperate to see her.
Skyler doesn’t answer at first. Just looks at me like I’m even more of an idiot than her husband.
“She’s not here,” she tells me, like I haven’t already gathered that.
“Then where is she?” My jaw tightens.
Skyler sighs, walking further into the office and sitting down on the corner of Hudson’s desk. She suddenly notices West.
“Oh hi,” she says, like it’s a goddamned tea party. “How are you?”
“Completely entertained,” West says, deadpan.
“Hello?” They’re unbelievable. “Francie? You were going to tell me where she is.”
“Oh, I dropped her off at Annalise’s place.”
Silence fills the room. What the fuck?
Hudson swears under his breath. I feel the floor tilt beneath my feet.
“What?” My voice is too sharp. Too loud. But I can’t help it.
“She wanted to talk to her, woman to woman. About the blackmail.” Skyler’s eyes meet mine. “Since you and Hudson have this whole vow of silence thing going on, she decided to go straight to the source.”
“You let her go there alone?” I ask, my voice thick. I’m not sure I can breathe.
Skyler tilts her head. “I offered to be her wingman, but she said no. Because – shocker – she’s not a damsel in distress, Asher. She’s a grown ass woman who’s sick of being treated like she’s breakable.” She looks at Hudson. “And don’t think you’re getting away with this.”
“I’m damn sure I’m not,” Hudson mutters.
But I’m already grabbing my phone and keys. Then realizing I don’t have my car here, I grab Hudson’s.
“Upper East Side?” I ask Skyler.
“Yep. I dropped her off fifteen minutes ago.”
My throat tightens as I storm off, shoving the door open.
Then I’m gone, sprinting down the stairwell like my life depends on it.
Because it does.
I take the corner too fast. Tires squeal. A horn blares. And I don’t give a flying fuck. Hudson’s ridiculously expensive sports car growls beneath me like it’s made for moments like this.
My whole body is tense. My blood is heated, full of emergency-level, heart-pounding, punch-a-wall panic.
My fingers tighten on the steering wheel as I pull up outside the familiar brownstone apartment building.
And then I see her.
Francie is standing on the sidewalk, trying to hail a cab like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Her expression is unreadable but her eyes…
God, they slice straight through me as I climb out of the car, abandoning it in a no parking zone.
Relief rushes through me as I realize she’s not hurt. And then it’s immediately swallowed by something hotter. Darker.
Rage.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I snap, slamming the car door behind me. “Going to see Annalise alone? Do you know what she’s capable of?”
Francie doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. She just stares at me like I’m the one losing my mind.
“Yes,” Francie says calmly. “I know exactly what she’s capable of. Because I’m a grown adult who knows how to talk. Which is exactly what I did with her, instead of appeasing her threats like you planned to.”
My chest heaves. “She’s dangerous.”
“And I’m not helpless.” Her voice is clipped. “But thanks for making it crystal clear that you think I am.”
I take a step toward her. I want to hold her. To keep her safe. To never let her go. “I don’t think you’re helpless.”
Her eyes lock on mine. I can see the hurt there. The anger, too. “Then why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”
I blink, raking my hand through my hair. Hating the way she’s looking at me like I’m nothing more than another man who let her down.
I reach for her and she takes a step back, breaking my heart in fucking two.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“No,” she says, her eyes so sad it hurts. “You were just trying to control me. You didn’t trust me with the truth. You treated me like some liability you have to keep protected while you make all the decisions.”
“That’s not what I intended.”
“But it’s what you did.” Her jaw tightens. “You lied to me, Asher. You ignored my calls, my messages. You let me sit there and feel like you were ignoring me. Like I didn’t matter. While you were the big man making all the decisions and shutting me out completely.”
I grit my teeth. “I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?” She lets out a low, humorless laugh. “The truth? From being an actual partner in our relationship?” She takes a deep breath. “You know what’s really messed up? You called me brave. Smart. Fierce. And I believed you.”
She doesn’t understand. I just need to explain it better. I realize that.
“I was scared,” I admit, my voice raw. “I’ve hurt people before. I needed to…”
“Well maybe I’m scared too. But I don’t punish the people I care about because of it. You think you’re the only one with scars? I’ve got a lifetime of people making decisions for me. Walking into the room and assuming they know better. You think I need you to do that too?”
Her words hit like a blade. But she doesn’t stop.
“I never wanted a hero, Asher. I wanted a partner. An equal. Someone who chose me, not only when it was easy, but when things got ugly and hard and real.”
Silence stretches between us. She stares at me, unflinching.
“And just so you know, I told Annalise to do whatever she wants with those damn videos. But you won’t be giving her anything. I’m not a pawn for you both to bargain over.”
The hollow feeling in my chest expands.
She doesn’t wait for me to reply. Just steps back, turning toward the street like the conversation’s over.
“Wait.” I reach for her but she shakes my hand off.
“I’m tired. And I have a book to write,” she says, still not looking at me. “I need to go.”
She turns away, her stride measured and even, like my heart isn’t smashed on the floor, ragged and breaking. I start to walk after her.
“Sir?”
A sharp voice cuts through the air. I glance over my shoulder to see a pair of NYPD officers approaching, their eyes immediately zeroing in on the sleek sports car half on the curb, hazard lights blinking.
“Is that your vehicle?” one of them asks, his hand on his belt. “You can’t park it there.”
My hands clench into fists. “Yeah, I’m moving it now,” I murmur. But my eyes are still on her. She pauses at the end of the block. For one impossible second I think she might look back.
But she doesn’t.
She keeps walking, her head held high, as the officers keep talking. And all I can do is stand there, surrounded by noise and blue uniforms and a goddamn Lamborghini that’s become the world’s most expensive shackle.
I could leave it, piss Hudson off and chase after her.
But she’s made it clear, she doesn’t want to be chased. She doesn’t want me making the decisions for her.
“Sir, are you listening?”
So instead I watch her disappear into the city like I never mattered at all.