“And you, a random stranger sitting in the back of Longhorn Steakhouse, are going to tell me what’s going on behind the scenes?” I inquire, every word dripping with disgust.

The woman looks over her shoulder, checking the door behind her before whirling her head back around. “I can’t go into detail or he’ll ruin my life, but I know Nathan.”

“You knowing that name means nothing to me,” I snip.

“I also know all about the Kingdom.”

Everything comes to a sudden, violent stop like a car slamming into a brick wall.

“How do you—”

“How do you think?” she fires back without a second’s hesitation. “I know who he is, and I know what he’s doing to you, but I can’t tell you. It’s something you have to figure out on your own.”

“Then what the fuck is the point of doing this if you’re not going to tell me?”

“Because he did it to me,” she says, and my heart sinks to the bottom of my stomach like a rock in the ocean. “I wish someone would’ve warned me what he was doing before I dedicated myself to him, but now that it’s happened to me, I know why no one ever warned me. But I refuse to stand by and let him do it to someone else. I saw you two walk in here by complete chance today, and I couldn’t just sit there. I saw my opportunity when he left, and I’m taking it. I’m sure he’s talking to Keisha about you right now.”

“You know about Keisha?” I ask as the look on my face turns from hard and defensive to scared and fragile.

“Yes. I met her at the same book signing where I met Nathan, which I’d bet is the same way you met her. I experienced the same bliss you’ve experienced. I know how life-changing it is. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss that part of it, but I know now that it’s all a lie. He never took me out in public like this, but it doesn’t change anything. I don’t know who you are, but I know Nathan is lying to you, because that’s what Nathan does. He lies.”

“Goddammit, just tell me what you’re talking about,” I bellow, my voice rising too much for this quiet place.

“Check his office,” she says, whispering like he might hear us from outside. “Check his laptop if you can.”

“Looking for what?”

“When you read it, you’ll know.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Stop being cryptic and just tell me.”

The woman whips her head around just in time to see the doors to the restaurant opening. Nas is still on the phone, but he’s ending the call.