Free White Collared Part Three: Revenge by Shelly Bell

that easy to access her past, who else had learned it? “No. I know my life story, thanks. What are you going to do with all the information?”
    “That depends.” Rachel smirked and started for her Jeep.
    Kate caught up to her. “On . . .?”
    “On what you’re willing to give me.”
    “Well, I’m not going to show you my tits if that’s what you’re asking,” Kate said as she slid in the passenger side of the truck.
    Rachel stuck the key in the ignition and laughed. “I’m sure they’re spectacular, but that’s not what I’m after. I want an exclusive.”
    Kate sighed. “Of course you do. So this is blackmail? You’ll go public with my childhood tragedy unless I give you information on the case?”
    “Despite what you think, I’m not heartless. Besides, ruining your career would do nothing for mine.” Rachel put the car into drive and headed toward Kate’s apartment. “I have information about your client. Information the police will use to arrest him tomorrow.”
    “And you got that information how?”
    “I know another guy.”
    “Of course. And in return . . .?”
    Rachel slid a glance at her. “I want an interview with Deveroux. Obviously, Trenton can sit in and restrict your client from saying anything against his interest.”
    “I can’t speak for Mr. Trenton.”
    “Oh, I don’t believe that for a minute. You’ve got both those men wrapped tight around your finger. You may not do it intentionally, but you use your sexuality as much as I do to get ahead.”
    A protest formed on her tongue, but she snapped her mouth shut. Was Rachel right?
    “So, do we have a deal?” Rachel asked.
    It might come back to bite her in the ass, but she didn’t think she had a choice. Hopefully, Nick would feel the same way. “Yeah. Deal.”
    Rachel tossed her a card from the center console. “Fabulous. Give your boss my cell number. When he and I come to an agreement on the time and place of the interview, I’ll give him everything I have about the prosecutor’s star witness.”
    Kate huffed out a breath. “You didn’t need me at all for this deal.”
    As the Jeep idled in front of Kate’s apartment building, Rachel’s brows furrowed and a small crease formed above her nose. “Of course I did. Nick never would’ve agreed to it, but he’s got too much class to back out of a deal you made.” Her frown deepened. “Don’t let your hormones get the best of you.”
    Kate released her seatbelt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “If you say so. You’re young, so I’ll give you some advice. Trust no one. That way when they fuck you over, you won’t be surprised.”
    Kate slid out of the Jeep. “What about you? Can I trust you?”
    “Especially not me.” Rachel gave her the smile of someone who’d gotten everything she’d wanted. “Have Trenton call me soon before the deal becomes obsolete.”
    Watching Rachel drive down the street, a prickling sensation snaked around her chest.
    Kate suspected she hadn’t just made a deal with the devil’s mistress; she’d made one with the devil.
    With the gun in her hand, she thoroughly checked every spot of her apartment for hidden intruders, and after confirming she was alone, she dialed Nick to tell him about her conversation with Rachel.
    “Where did you two have this conversation?”
    She started up the shower, eager to wash the slime of the deal from her skin. “I kind of had an accident on my way back from the hospital.”
    “An accident?”
    She heard the doubt in his tone, and although he was miles away, she felt the burn of his stare. “More like a car tried to run me down, and I jumped a curb.”
    “What the hell? Why were you on your bike? Where was Jaxon?”
    “I went alone. I needed some time to think, and I had the gun with me. It didn’t occur—”
    “No. It didn’t occur to you to follow my directions, and we’ll talk about that more at the office. If it weren’t already too late, I’d fire your ass. I