Throughout the gala, Giles played his part well enough.
Near the end of the evening, I excused myself to the restroom.
"Sorry I'm late."
I froze.
Lissa stood in the doorway, all smiles.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.
"What are you doing here? Tonight is my arrangement with Giles. This has nothing to do with you."
Lissa folded her arms, a knowing look in her eyes.
"I'm here to blow your cover."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
She watched me squirm, then covered her mouth with a laugh.
"That Mercedes you drove here tonight—that's at least a sixty-thousand-dollar car."
"You make, what, five grand a month? There's no way you can afford that. You've got some other income stream you've been hiding from Giles, don't you?"
Greed flickered behind her eyes.
I frowned slightly.
That Mercedes was already the most understated car I owned.
I had no choice but to offer an explanation.
"I bought it on a loan. I need it for work—"
"I don't care how you bought it."
She cut me off.
"Give me the car, and I keep your secret."
I stared at her for a few seconds.
This woman was even greedier than I'd imagined.
When I didn't respond, she let out a cheerful little laugh.