Chapter 127

Calliope's mind went blank for a second, that one line from her dad over the phone echoing loud and clear. "I'm freezing all your cards right now! Let's see how you feed that freeloading pretty boy now!" She really thought he was just sounding off. Turns out, he wasn't bluffing one bit. Bradley saw her face fall instantly. Combine that with what he'd just looked into-it clicked. "Okay, listen," he said quickly, "I'm close with Conrad. The money's no rush. You can pay me back when you're in a better spot." He glanced at his watch. "It's getting late, I'm heading out. Keep the evidence safe." Calliope walked him to the door. When she came back, her face looked downright miserable. She wasn't ready to give in yet. Fished out her portable card reader and went through every single card in her wallet one more time. "Transaction failed," again and again, each one like a dagger to the chest. Conrad had been watching her get more agitated with every swipe. Finally, he stepped over-long-legged a