Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“I don’t need you to. The proof will come to light soon enough. Do yourself a favor and walk away. You’ll thank me in the end.”
“I think I’ll take my chances, being naive and all.”
“But aren’t you?”
“What?”
“Well, you’re here. . . in his place, doing what he says. . .”
“I’m here because I choose to be.”
She rubs her hands over her belly. “I’m sure you do.” Her vile smile leaves chills down my spine. She turns and makes her way back to the door. “Tell Theo I came over. We’ll reschedule our visit.” She opens the door and walks out.
My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as I take deep gulps of air. She’s lying. But would she go so far as to lie about a baby? My stomach bottoms out, and I grab at my torso. “Stop,” I hiss. This is what she wants. I need to trust Theo. I spin around, racing back to the bedroom for my phone. Finding it on the nightstand, I shake as I unlock my screen and dial his number.
The phone rings and rings. “Come on.”
“You’ve reached—”
I hang up and call back, only to get his voicemail again. “Oh, screw it.” Seems like I’ll be making an appearance at work after all. I throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt as I rush out of his penthouse. The chill in the air slaps me in the face as I exit the building. I pull out my phone and try for an Uber, but the screen doesn’t load.
“Oh, come on, technology. Don’t let me down now.” I turn when I hear someone call my name. Before I can figure out where it came from, two palms slam into my chest, and I’m shoved into the street.
Chapter thirty
Theo
“Fuck!” I yell, swiping the papers off my table.
“This doesn’t mean you’re guilty.”
“That’s exactly what it means,” I snap.
“This is just a setback. We knew this could happen. Should we go to court, we still have proof that could be admissible.”
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my palms down my face. “What do we do now?”
“We wait to see what they decide. In the meantime, we need to work quickly to clear your name.”
“If it’s not quick enough?”
“It won’t come to that. But I have to warn you, this will open up an investigation and lead to more questions. About any other deals your father has done under the table. Or how many you have been a part of. . . You need to prepare for some tough conversations with your clients.”
“Which means that no matter what, taking down my father takes me down too.”
“Let’s hope he and Mr. Hill make the right decision.”
He won’t. He’s calling my bluff.
There’s a knock on my door. “Mr. Mon—”
“Not now,” I snap.
Amy sticks her head in. “I’m sorry to bother you—”
“Then don’t! Get out!”
“But it’s very—”
“If you don’t get out, I will fire you—”
“Then fire me, but stop yelling at me! There’s been an accident. Fay was hit by a car this morning.”
The air rushes out of my lungs. “What?”
“Her mom called. I guess someone pushed her—”
“What the fuck do you mean someone pushed her?” I stand, stuffing my phone in my pocket and rushing out of my office. “When did this happen?” I bark out.
Amy hurries behind me, trying to keep up. “I’m not sure. Her mom was pretty upset and hard to understand.”
I slam the down button and dial James. “I need you out front now!” The elevator ride down is a blur. I can’t stop replaying the news in my head. Hit by a car. Someone pushed her. I call the hospital twice to get an update on her status. Is she conscious? How bad is she hurt? Who the fuck would do this. . .? But I already know the answer to that. This has my father written all over it.
When James pulls up to the ER, I jump out of the car and race inside. “Fay Evans. She was brought in a couple hours ago.”
“How do you spell—”
“Fay! F-A-Y. She was. . .” I can’t say the words out loud. I look down at my hands. They’re shaking.
“Here we go. She’s in room—”
She spits out the room number, but I’m already hurrying down the hall. My feet pound on the floor. Every step closer, my chest tightens in fear. When I stop in front of her door, I realize I’m holding my breath. Afraid of what I’ll see. What I’ve caused. A police officer is standing in front of her, blocking my view, and her mother is next to the bed. She turns at my presence.
“Oh, thank God you’re here.” She walks my way as the officer shifts, allowing me a clear view of Fay. “We’ve been trying to reach you.”
“I know. . . I didn’t have. . .” My throat locks up.