Chapter 666


    Aubree sensed something off–kilter with her emotions. “Bri, it’s been ages since we hit up a bar. How


    about we swing by Tequ Sunset tonight?”


    She couldn’t keep feeling nauseous at the mere sight of men. She needed to snap out of it, pronto. And


    where better to find a crowd of men than at Tequ Sunset?


    Brielle was taken aback. She remembered Ricardo’s words – Aubree couldn’t stand being around men


    right now, except for Ricardo, that is.


    Brielle, still nursing a hangover fromst night, knew she couldn’t indulge in drinks again so soon. But


    apanying Aubree for a night out, just to sit and chat, that she could do. “Bri, Mr. Lynch will be


    there too.”


    Dustin was in town?


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    Remembering the research institute being mentioned in the news, Brielle wasn’t surprised. Dustin was


    always on the move, flitting from one ce to another.


    After hanging up, Brielle thought to notify Max. As someone still reeling fromst night’s binge, thest


    thing she needed was Max getting wind of her bar ns–he’d be livid.


    However, the scene she witnessed the previous night weighed on her, and the words exchanged still


    felt murky in her mind. Was Max the kind of guy to pull a bait–and–switch with a stand–in? Would he


    have given her that rosary if he was truly smitten with Annie?


    There had to be pieces of the puzzle she was missing.


    Brielle hurried through her work at Ster Stage Entertainment and headed home, intent on digging out


    the rosary. She wasn’t sure what to say by way of apology. Theirst misunderstanding had her


    seeking him out, rosary in tow. Maybe wearing it now would help cool his temper. Perhaps she should


    wear it constantly from here on out.


    But after turning her room inside out, the rosary was nowhere to be found. She was certain she’d left it


    at home. How could it just vanish?


    Her face clouded over as she dialed the property management’s number to request a review of the


    surveince footage. Without knowing the exact date it went missing, the property management was


    less than helpful. “Ms. Brielle, maybe you should just report it to the police or, better yet, install a


    camera in your ce from now on.”


    Without a timeframe, the task was too daunting, and it was not within the scope of their


    services.


    Deted, Brielle mulled over the significance of the missing rosary. What would she say if Max


    suddenly asked her to wear it one day?


    She considered the mimunication fromst night and this morning’s p. Now the rosary was also


    missing–how would she mend these rifts?


    She rubbed her temples and nced at the clock. Time was ticking, so she rushed off to Tequ


    Sunset.


    As she was about to get out of the car, she spotted a familiar vehicle in the distance–Max’s. Max,


    apanied by Patrick and Annie, was shaking hands with a man in his forties. They acknowledged


    each other with a nod and proceeded inside.


    Brielle sat dazed in the car for a few minutes before her window was rapped on. “Bri,


    what’s got you spaced out?”


    It was Dustin’s voice. He was fresh from some formal event and opened the car door. “Did you hear


    me?”


    Brielle caught the metallic scent of blood. Was Dustin injured? But in his formal attire, it seemed he had


    juste from a social function.


    “Mr. Lynch, are you hurt?”


    Dustin grunted, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”


    The look on his face told Brielle it was anything but minor. And yet, here he was at the bar. “I’ll take you


    to the hospital.”


    “Aubree is waiting inside. I saw some pretty boy with her–is she switching things up?”


    Brielle didn’t want to delve into Aubree’s troubles, but Dustin added, “That pretty boy looks familiar.


    Can’t ce where I’ve seen him before.”


    “Ricardo’s done a lot of odd jobs before and has a memorable face. You’ve probably crossed paths.”


    Dustin leaned back, trying to steady his breathing. “Let’s


    go


    inside.”


    “Are you sure you’re okay?”


    Dustin was stubborn, so Brielle didn’t press further.


    Inside Aubree’s private booth, several young, attractiveds were lounging about. Brielle’s steps


    faltered as she saw Aubree reach out to touch one of the boys‘ shoulders.


    A vein on Brielle’s forehead throbbed. “Aubree? What are you doing?”


    Ricardo looked up, deadpan. “Desensitization test.”


    Clear enough, Aubree wasn’t quite there yet. Only Ricardo’s presence was tolerable.


    Dustin settled on the opposite couch, eyeing the pretty boys with a squint, his gaze finally


    resting on Ricardo. Was it really just a case of déjà vu from a public sighting?


    Feeling Dustin’s scrutiny, Ricardo just sat there innocently, like a neer to the scene.


    Aubree’s expression soured as she withdrew her hand, thewhelming urge to hurl receding. She


    gestured for the malepanions to leave. But one, not ready to give up, brushed her hand, evidently


    hopeful to stick around.