“You have ten seconds.” I tapped at my watch.

She immediately called Harry, who informed her that he’d just gotten off the phone with Hing, who said that if Blair did what I asked—whatever it was—then the smaller role in the zombie movie was hers. She dried her fake tears, and five minutes later, I left her house with her camera, her phone, her laptop, and an envelope of photos.

Violet was back. Like a boss.

AN HOUR LATER, I could barely contain my excitement for the coming night. Just a few more hours, and I’d be able to tell Sebastian everything. I’d already explained everything to Mila. She’d spent hours with Sebastian yesterday, working on different press statements in case the pictures went live. She’d spoken with a couple of reporters to test out the waters, but Blair had never come forward. Now she never would.

But today, I needed an outfit, a bring-back-your-mojo kind of dress.

I gazed around at the pricey boutique that definitely had a Frederick’s of Hollywood vibe to it with itty-bitty outfits and stiletto shoes.

But I didn’t want too sexy. This was a charity event.

I slanted a look at Mila. “I take it we aren’t here for your usual?”

“What’s my usual?” She came to a stop in front of a black lace teddy.

“Pencil skirts, cardigans in pastel colors, pearls, anything that screams librarian with a hard-on for rock stars.”

“Don’t make fun of me.” She poked me with her pink purse.

“I’m not … okay, maybe I am, but you have to admit you have a certain style about you.”

“Style?”

“You know, like Hello Kitty vomited up a Mother Theresa version of itself.”

She put her French manicured nails on her hips. “Maybe I want some sexy holey jeans and—and a set of garters, and a leather-sequined jumpsuit with a big black rhinestone belt—”

I groaned. “Don’t wear all that at one time. Promise me.”

“You think you know me, but I could get a tattoo or a body piercing if I wasn’t so terrified of needles …” she trailed off, a sad expression on her face that made me chuckle.

Aw. She was gorgeous the way she was, and I secretly thought Spider got off on it too. I leaned in. “Have you talked to Spider lately?”

She shook her head. “No, and I don’t want to talk about him. What’s going on with Sebastian? Have you talked to him?”

I exhaled. “No, but I did send him a text that the pictures were in my possession and that I’d explain everything later. He tried to call me, but I’m not ready to talk to him. I’m still working with Hing on some details.”

“I love how you love him,” Mila said softly. “You’re sacrificing your privacy for him.”

Yes, I’d sold the journal to Hing. “It was for both of us. I couldn’t let Blair destroy his career and my life. There comes a point where you just have to stand up and fight for yourself.” I suddenly smiled, for once the memory of my father filling me with joy. “My dad always said that the remedy is in the poison.”

Mila smirked. “Hmmm, does that mean I should just screw Spider and get him out of my system?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

She bit her lip. “Back to Sebastian, he’s talking of getting on the road soon. He wants to get out of LA for a while. I think—I think he’s hurting.” She sent me a sad smile. “I’ll still stay here in LA, though.”

“But—but he can’t do that. I’m staying here—and the orphanage.”

“But what about your career, V? If you’re not going to New York, then what?”

I got giddy with excitement. “Okay, well, this morning I called the chancellor at the Manhattan School of Music and we talked. I explained how I couldn’t leave, and he said he’d put in a good word for me at the LA College of Music. He knows a few of the deans there, and he said they’d love to have me. Later, maybe, once my confidence is built up—I can apply for the symphony here.”

Mila smiled. “I’m happy for you. Just don’t leave Sebastian hanging if you can’t be with him.”

Of course I wanted to be with him.

I picked a red silk dress off the rack and held it up to my neck. Silky and with a plunging neckline in the front and back, it was gorgeous and not even practical for playing the violin.

Mila grinned. “You’ll need tape to hold it in place. I say it’s perfect.”

I found my size and headed toward the dressing room. “Why don’t you pick out something for yourself?”

She focused on the lingerie section to her right. “Maybe I will.”

THAT NIGHT, I busied myself taking care of last-minute gala details at the Wilshire Hotel. The hotel staff scurried around setting up tables and the bar while the Vital Rejects roadies checked-in to set-up the music. The staff set-up the podium too, where the honored speaker was a California Senator, thanks to my connections in New York.

Everything was on schedule.

Sebastian and Spider swaggered in just as the last table had been covered and dishes put out. All the pieces were in play, and tonight was my last chance to put everything on the line for him. Whether he loved me or not, I was willing to give him every part of me. I’d decided to roll the dice and live one day at a time.

He stalked around the room looking divine in designer jeans and his notorious mink coat from his music video. He looked like a sexy blond gangster, but I knew better. He was deliciously sweet.