Retribution Read Online Free

disappear—but the damage inflicted on the soul would last a lifetime.
    Never taking my eyes off them, I dialed Ian’s number.
    “Hi . . .” I said once he’d answered. “It’s me.”
    His sigh came over the line. “I was so worried. Why’d you ignore my calls?”
    I shrugged. “I don’t know.” Only I did. My confrontation with Gage still lingered, as did the questions he’d asked that I had no answers to. Rick finally broke away from Jody, and I sank down in my seat as he crossed the street to where a shiny BMW was parked. If that wasn’t evidence of Gage Channing’s money, I wasn’t sure what was.
    “Are you okay?” Ian asked.
    I hesitated, searching for an answer that wasn’t total BS. “Okay” was difficult to define. “Yeah . . . I’m at Jody’s. Gage said she’s also responsible for the embezzlement.”
    “Jesus, Kayla. You can’t trust anything he says.”
    “I know, but Rick just left her house, so something is definitely up. I’m gonna talk to her.” I waited until the BMW disappeared around the corner before opening my door.
    “I called the PI. He didn’t find anything else.” His frustration was obvious.
    “Thanks for trying. I’ll call you after I talk to her.” I ended the call as I darted across the street, keeping my head ducked low against the rain. And then I found myself facing her much too soon. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
    “Kayla? What are you doing here?”
    “I need to talk to you.”
    She stepped back and opened the door wide. “Come in.”
    “Thanks.” I stepped inside, and I didn’t miss the worried glance she sent down the street as she closed the door. I’d met her shortly after my wedding, and at one time we’d been close. Now there was a huge divide between us, only I hadn’t realized how far apart we’d drifted until now. I hadn’t realized the divide was Rick himself. There was no point in beating around the bush. “I saw you with Rick.”
    She swallowed hard, and her attention landed on anything other than me; the plush burgundy runner on the floor, the large poinsettia plant on the hutch in the foyer, even her own reflection in the oversized mirror. “I don’t know what to say . . .”
    “Why don’t you start with the truth? Why is Rick blackmailing Gage?”
    Her gaze jerked to mine. “What are you talking about?”
    “Don’t play dumb. I know about the embezzlement. Gage told me you were involved.” I still wasn’t sure if I believed him, but I had nothing else to go on.
    She crossed her arms. “Gage Channing is crazy. You can’t trust anything he tells you.”
    “How about his financial records? Should I trust those? The evidence doesn’t lie, Jody. Money went into Rick’s account, and it coincides with Gage’s statements.” I wondered how long her affair with Rick had been going on. Had she been sleeping with him while he’d been married to me? “Since I just saw Rick leave here, I’m going to assume Gage was telling the truth.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Look, I know this must be a shock to find out about Rick and me this way, but—”
    “It’s more than a shock—it’s crazy! Jody, do you have any idea what he’s capable of?”
    She pursed her lips. “It’s been three years. I thought you’d be over him by now.”
    I was sure my eyes bulged. “You think I’m still hung up on the man who beat the shit out of me?” I took a step toward her. “How long has this been going on? Has he hit you yet?”
    Jody shuffled back and wrapped her arms around herself. “He’s changed. He never meant to hurt you.”
    I arched my brows. “Really?”
    “He told me what happened. You don’t have to be ashamed—a lot of women suffer from postpartum depression and do things they regret.”
    I stared at her, incredulous. “This should be good. Please, enlighten me—what bullshit did he feed you?”
    “It’s in the past.” She shook her head. “I know you’d never try to hurt yourself