Chapter 90

Vianne POV:

She sighed and took another sip of her tea, setting it aside on an end table. "I know it's probably for the best that Claire remain wherever you have her, but I want her to have her things. I have her most cherished items packed up."

I sighed. Claire's notebooks. I nodded, oddly grateful.

"I'm surprised you managed to meet me alone," she said, her brow furrowing. That was the most concern I had ever seen on her face.

"I find it hard to talk freely and privately with security on my ass." It had taken almost an hour to outwit the boys at the hotel. That third wig I had insisted on, in red curls, did the trick.

Ariana smiled knowingly. After a brief bout of silence, she broke first. "I'll let you in on a little secret."

I cocked an eyebrow in question, feeling the hair rise on the back of my neck. Brant was near. I could feel it. She seemed unaware, but then again, Ariana had hidden years of abuse from me. She could probably lie as