Wicked Release Read Online Free Page A

transported out of my house through the hidden tunnels in the basement and that you were the man who began these parties.” She paused for emphasis, and stopped pacing, standing in front of him. His breath was shallow and he smelled like a mix between coffee and whiskey. Grabbing his cup, she took a drink of his spiked coffee and then thrust it back into his hands. “And I know that I fucking go by Jess. Not Jessica.”
    â€œThat’s a lot you think you know.”
    Jess jerked her head toward the luggage, not breaking eye contact. “Why don’t you have a look?”
    He gave her a curious glance before bending and lifting the suitcase, dropping it on a side table. He carefully unzipped it with a tenderness that reminded Jess of unzipping the back of a silk dress.
    Elliot inhaled sharply as he flipped the suitcase open. Inside were stacks of cash from Cassandra’s floorboards and her fake passport.
    â€œ That’s how I know,” Jess sneered. “Now, can you stop treating me like a child?”
    â€œDid you touch these?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDid. You. Touch. These?”
    â€œYes, I—”
    â€œDid you wear gloves?”
    Jess gulped and suddenly she felt like she was back to being a chastised little girl. Just as she thought she was gaining some traction with this man. “No. But, I mean, I found them. I haven’t done anythi—”
    â€œShit,” Elliot grunted, running both of his hands through his inky hair.
    â€œWhat the hell are you freaking out about? None of this is even mine .”
    Elliot’s eyebrows jumped as he shot her a fiery look. “You think that matters?” His voice was gruff and he rushed to the window, scanning the parking lot below before pulling the blinds closed. “You think that innocence ever matters in times like these? You believe your friend Zooey to be innocent, right?”
    Jess nodded slowly, her throat burning.
    â€œAnd did the cops care that the evidence didn’t quite line up?”
    Jess didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. They both knew the truth.
    â€œYou need a place to hide this money,” said Elliot.
    â€œCass had it all in the house—”
    â€œNot a literal hiding place. A place to invest. Tie the money up in a way that won’t raise any flags when and if they search your financials. It’s what Cass should have done initially. I should have helped her.”
    Jess backed away from him and the cash. Her stomach turned like she had a loaded gun pointed directly at her chest. “You can’t actually think I plan to keep this money? I’m turning it over to the police.”
    Elliot grunted his opinion of that. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re a photographer, right?”
    â€œBut this money isn’t mine —”
    â€œIt was Cass’s,” he snarled, and Jess jumped as he swiveled away from the window, nearly knocking her over. He barely noticed and continued walking, backing her against the wall.
    â€œYeah, but—”
    â€œAnd Cass left everything to you, yes?”
    â€œ Yes, but—”
    â€œThen this money is yours. There is no but. Cass put her life on the line. I doubt it was for the cash, but even so. She worked for this money. She risked everything for it. And now it is yours .” He spoke with such authority. Head high, eyes straight ahead, shoulders stiff. He truly was magnificent to watch and Jess couldn’t help but stare at him in awe. She’d always tried to hold that sort of command in conversations—hell, in life. And compared to this man? She was worse than a rookie. She was the runt on the little league team.
    But that didn’t mean she was ready to back down just yet. Jess snapped her mouth shut, her jaw twitching, and stood a bit taller. “It’s illegal. And I don’t want it.”
    â€œThen you’re fucking stupid,” he said, forgetting his coffee and