“Now, my savings is gone. Poof. To get the steroids or whatever for my ankle, I had to borrow money from Roland.”

“Wait a minute. You’re talking to him? You borrowed money from that guy?”

“Yeah, well, I might not like what he did to his wife, and that he did it with Regina, of all people … I mean, yeah, he’s not always a good person. But he’s not going to rat me out for going to the doc, and he has the money. Until Kinley takes it from him, anyway.”

“Duke, why use the drugs? You can stop this.”

A number of emotions coiled across his face. “If I don’t numb my ankle, it will put a stop to everything. Including my career, which I love, but it’s also my only way to make money and keep Regina off my back.”

“Jeez, there is so much to unpack here.” She considered telling him about the doctor’s threats to her and how she might be revealed as his fake girlfriend, despite this new round of photos of them together, but he didn’t seem like he could take one more bit of bad news. God, I hope I can find a way to protect both of us tomorrow. She refocused on the conversation at hand. “Regina wants more money? You’re talking like the video she has is real, that it can implicate you for murder. If it’s not real, you don’t have to pay her. As a matter of fact, you can have that bitch arrested for extortion.”

“I’m not willing to risk it.”

“The video…”

“Yes?”

“Does it make you look bad, Duke? Is that it?”

“I need time to prove she’s a fraud! Jesus! You’re no different than my father.” He sat up straight, leaning away from her. “Worse, even. He’s never pretended to believe in me. You…”

“Duke—”

Aaron materialized between them. “What’s going on, kids?” He smiled, a shark smile, and, without moving his lips, said, “You two better get your shit together. Let the reporters take their pictures and then you can argue. Somewhere else.”

Duke folded his arms. “I don’t think they’re lip-readers. I can barely hear myself over this music.”

“Then maybe smile and stop throwing your hands around.”

“Aaron,” Angel said, “why don’t you go away?” There were so many people pulling the strings around her, trying to control both her and Duke, she couldn’t take one more tug. When Aaron didn’t move, she said, “You want a real scene, agent boy? Move along.”

“I don’t know what you have against me.” He put a protective hand between them, but Duke gave him a head nod, gesturing toward the bar.

Muttering, but with a smile on his face, he went away.