Chapter 34 The Sister's Price
The diner was a not-so-expensive place on the far outskirts of the city, tucked between a rusted barber's shop and a shuttered daycare center.
It was the kind of place where no one would ever expect to see a Vance.
But it was where she picked for their lunch meeting.
Elena sat in a corner booth, her back to the wall, watching the door. She had worn her simplest coat and tied her hair back, but she still felt like she was glowing in the dark.
The door creaked open, and Eva stepped in, looking completely out of place in a designer trench coat and oversized sunglasses.
She paused at the door for a moment and scanned the room with a look of pure disgust before spotting Elena and marching over.
She slid into the booth opposite her, dropping her leather clutch on the glass table with a heavy thud.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Elena,” Eva said, pulling off her glasses to reveal eyes lined with eyeliner and a thick coat of mascara. She always did look like some model or actress anyways. “A diner? In this part of town? I almost turned around twice because I thought my GPS was glitching.”
Elena rolled her eyes at the dramatic sentence. It was so typical of Eva.
“Why are we meeting so far away? Is the Ice King tracking your phone, or are you just developing a taste for the slums?”
“I just wanted somewhere private,” Elena said with a low voice.
Eva snorted, glancing out the window at the parking lot where Clinton sat in the sleek black car Julian had insisted on.
“Private? You’ve got a luxury tank parked outside and a driver who looks like he’s ready to tackle anyone who looks at you wrong. It’s a bit hard to stay under the radar when you’re riding around in a billionaire’s toy, don’t you think?”
“That’s none of your business, Eva,” Elena snapped.
“Actually, it is my business,” Eva countered, leaning forward. “You’re the one who called me out here. You’re the one acting like a fugitive.”
"Eva, I said I needed your help, but you're just making this creepy.”
Eva chuckled. "Creepy? Baby girl, you're creepy all by yourself and you don't need my help.”
Elena was short of words and so she just folded her arms and watched Eva take off the conversation as usual.
"So, if I’m going to be your accomplice in whatever mess this is, I get to ask questions. Is Julian locking you up? Is that why you’re sneaking around?”
“This isn’t about Julian,” Elena said, trying to keep her hands from shaking. She took a deep breath, looking her sister in the eye. “We need to talk about Francis for a second.”
Eva’s face went instantly still. The smug look vanished, replaced by a cold mask. “What about Francis? Why are we talking about your ex? I have no business with him anymore.”
She reached for her purse, her movements stiff. “If this is some pathetic attempt to cry over your broken heart, I’m leaving.”
“Stop,” Elena said, her voice cutting through the air. “I know you were sleeping with him. Even when he and I were together. I know it all, Eva.”
Eva froze, her hand hovering over the table.
For a split second, a flash of guilt crossed her face, this was a rare moment of honesty, but she buried it quickly with a defiant smirk.
She leaned back, crossing her arms.
“And so what?” Eva said, her voice turning cold. “We were together for what, two or three nights? It wasn't some grand romance, Elena. We were both bored and we just fucked. And we both liked it. Plus, everyone knew you were never going to end up with him anyway. Father would have never approved of a man like Francis Gilbert. He was just a placeholder until a man like Julian Thorne came along.”
“It still doesn't make sense,” Elena whispered, the hurt bubbling up despite her best efforts. “He was my boyfriend, Eva. You knew I loved him. How could you just... take him?”
“Oh, give me a break!” Eva rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me a lecture on sisterly loyalty. Is that why you called me here? To ask me why I slept with your ex-boyfriend? Come on, Elena. One would think you’d finally get over it now that you’re living in a penthouse, but clearly, you haven't. It’s pathetic.”
Then Eva got to her feet, ready to storm off.
Elena knew it would be a post cause if she allowed that to happen. She had to get her emotions in check and do the right thing. What she called her here for.
“That’s not why I called you here,” Elena said, her voice getting stronger. “I need your help. I need you to talk to Francis. Tell him to stop. Tell him to walk away before he ruins everything.”
Eva frowned, her curiosity piqued. “Do what? Stop what? What has he done now?”
Elena bit her lip.
She couldn't tell Eva about the tape. If Eva knew the specifics of the blackmail, she’d have even more leverage. She’d probably use it to mock her for the rest of her life.
“He’s being difficult,” Elena said vaguely. “He’s making threats. Look, we’ve been sisters for twenty-six years. We’ve fought, and I know you hate that I was named the heiress, but I am asking you, just this once, to do this one favor. Talk to him. He listens to you.”
Eva stared at her for a long moment, then let out a sharp laugh. “You want me to be your messenger girl? You won’t even tell me what he’s threatening you with, and you expect me to go play peacemaker?”
She grabbed her purse and slid out of the booth. “If you can’t tell me the truth, I won’t do anything about it. I’m not sticking my neck out for a secret I don’t understand. Good luck with your drama, Elena. Give my love to the chauffeur.”
She started to walk away, her heels clicking loudly on the dirty tile.
Elena felt her whole world crumble. If she closed her eyes, she could almost see the headlines talking about her tape. She couldn't let her leave.
Eva was the only person with enough money and enough distance from Julian to help.
If she couldn't talk to Francis, she could at least loan her the money.
“Eva, wait!” Elena called out.
Eva stopped but didn't turn around. “What?”
“I... I need you to lend me some money.”
That made Eva turn.
She walked back to the table, a look of utter disbelief on her face. “I don’t believe you. You are married to a freaking billionaire, Elena! Julian Thorne probably has more money in his couch cushions than I have in my entire trust fund. I should be the one getting money off you.”
“I can't go to him,” Elena said, her voice cracking. “I told you, this is an emergency, Eva. I wouldn't be asking you if I had any other choice.”
Eva looked her up and down, her eyes narrowing as she realized just how deep of a hole Elena was in.
She walked back to the booth and sat down again, but this time she didn't look like she was leaving. She looked like she was about to close a deal.
“How much?” Eva asked.
Elena swallowed hard. “I need five hundred thousand dollars.”
Eva’s jaw dropped slightly, then a slow, wicked smile spread across her face.
“Half a million dollars,” Eva whispered, savoring the words. “Oh, Elena. You really are in deep, aren't you?”
“Can you do it?” Elena asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Eva leaned in with a triumphant smile. “I can. But you’re going to owe me a repayment, sister. And you'll be paying in kind.