Read Online The Wives of Beverly Row 5: Lust Has a New Address by Abby Weeks - Free Book Online Page B

the end of my marriage. The end of my life here on Beverly Row.”
    “You’ll start a new life with Matt.”
    “Oh, Ariel. I really hope so.”
    Ariel poured some milk into her coffee and stirred it.
    Veronica looked up at her. “And what’s your news?” she said.
    “Well, you know I’ve been trying to form this plan for Zola to get her out of the horrible situation Jake’s put her in?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Well, I tried convincing Gabe to help with it.”
    “And what did he say?”
    “Well, I was asking for quite a lot. I basically want him to sacrifice a big business project he’s working on so that we can tempt Jake to break the law.”
    “So that we can blackmail Jake?”
    “Exactly.”
    “And what did he say to that? He doesn’t even know Zola and Jake. It’s a lot to ask.”
    “Well, he said no. But then I told him that Jake had fucked me.”
    Veronica raised her eyebrows at that news. “How did he take that ?”
    “Not too good.”
    “I wouldn’t have imagined so,” Veronica said.
    “But I’ve got him thinking now. I know I do. The hook’s in his mouth.”
    Veronica gave Ariel a big grin. “Now all you’ve got to do is reel him in!”
    “Correct!”
    “So tell me, what’s the plan?”
    “It’s still a little complicated.”
    “Okay?” Veronica said, waiting for more information.
    “You know Gabe has an art gallery?”
    “Sure I do.”
    “Well, basically I want him to talk Jake into trying to sell a painting.”
    “What’s so bad about that.”
    “Well, the thing is, the painting is a forgery.”
    “Oh,” Veronica said. “I see.”
    But Ariel could tell that Veronica didn’t quite see yet. “If Jake sells a forged painting, he’ll have broken the law. He could go to jail for a very long time for doing it.”
    “If he got caught.”
    “Exactly,” Ariel said. “And the only way he won’t get caught is if we don’t tell the authorities.”
    “And the only way we won’t tell the authorities is if he let’s Zola go.”
    “And gives her a nice divorce settlement too,” Ariel said.
    “It’s a long shot,” Veronica said. “A lot of planning.”
    “I’ve got it covered,” Ariel said. “I know I can pull it off. I just need Gabe to go for it.”

IX
    “M OM, BECKY SAID, COMING INTO Ariel’s bedroom with the phone, “it’s dad.”
    “For me?”
    Becky shrugged and handed Ariel the phone.
    “Thanks honey.” Ariel lifted the phone to her ear. “Gabe? What is it?”
    “Listen,” Gabe said, “I just made plans with Becky to go to a concert in San Francisco next month.”
    “Will she miss any school?”
    “No, it’s over the long weekend.”
    “Alright,” Ariel said. “I’m sure that will be fine. It will be fun for her.”
    “Yeah, it will give me a chance to spend some time with her. I feel like she’s growing up so fast.”
    “She is,” Ariel said. “And yes, it’s great getting her in the car. You get her full attention for a few hours.”
    There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. Ariel really wanted to know what Gabe was thinking but she didn’t ask. She knew she had to be careful if she was going to get him to do what she wanted.
    “Listen,” Gabe said, “I’ve been thinking a lot.”
    “What about?” Ariel said, sounding casual.
    “Well, you know I really regret some of the things that happened between us when we were married.”
    “I know that, Gabe. Don’t beat yourself up about it. What happened in the past is over. We have to look forward, give our daughter the best future that we can.”
    “You’re right,” Gabe said. “And thank you for being so forgiving.”
    “There’s no point holding on to that stuff.”
    “Well, I know I let you down, Ariel. I let both of you down. And if it’s not too late, I’d like to try to do something to help make up for that.”
    “You mean the concert with Becky?” Ariel prayed it wasn’t the concert. She needed his help with Zola.
    “No, no,” Gabe said. “I