CHAPTER 23 The Manipulator rey ou’re going where to do what?” Daya barks through the phone. I sigh, closing my eyes in resignation. “And with who? Zade? That’s your stalker’s name?” “Yeah.” I bite my lip. “I don’t know if I really had a choice...” I trail off. Because that’s not entirely true. Zade was going to say no to Mark. But I made him say yes. Mark has information on Gigi and supposedly has valuable information for Zade as well. “Look, I don’t know what this man is into, Daya. But whatever it 1s, it’s really fucking serious. And I can say that he really did try to avoid the situation.” “How the hell did this even happen, Addie?” Daya asks, frustration evident in her tone. “T was working on my manuscript at Bailey’s when Zade and a fucking senator approached me, introduced himself and said he wanted to meet Zacks girlfriend. Zade was staring at him like he wanted to murder him. And he asked me to go along with it until he could get rid of Mark. Long story short, Mark’s father was best friends with my great-grandfather, John. He said he’d tell me more if I agreed to go to the party.” “So the man manipulated you,” Daya deadpans. I sigh. “Pretty much,” I say, before rubbing my lips together. Daya stays silent, and if it weren’t for her angry breathing on the other line, I’d think she hung up. Wouldn’t blame her if she did. I am going to a party with my stalker. All for some information that might not even help me. “Addie, what does this man do for a living?” I blink. “I’m not entirely sure, to be honest,” I answer truthfully. “He’s not Z, is he? Because that would be fucking insane, but it would also make sense.” I frown. “What makes you think he is? Do you know a lot about that organization or something?" Daya hesitates before she admits, "That's who I work for." My mouth pops open.