Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 147415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 737(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 491(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147415 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 737(@200wpm)___ 590(@250wpm)___ 491(@300wpm)
“Still. He used me. He turned me into a weapon against you...”
“No. He tried,” Shepherd says sharply. “The kid would’ve used anyone who’d give him a leg up. I’ve seen his type a thousand times. Cutthroat little cowards who’ll lie and cheat their way to the top, not caring who they step on along the way.”
I nod limply.
My stomach bottoms out. But although thinking about how two-faced Mark is creeps me out, it’s also a relief.
We finally have answers.
No, evidence.
A smoking gun, just like he said.
“Wait, so you have total proof they paid him off?”
“Enough to connect the dots.” He grins. “My legal team never had a case handed to them so neat.”
“Wow.”
My brain is spinning as it snaps into place.
I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.
His nonstop whining about being 'just an intern,' his daily salary complaints, even though he drives a newer car than me.
The way he targeted me, always sucking up, trying to make me think he just wanted a friend or he was that hard up for a date.
“So, you’re suing him to death, right?”
“Criminal charges. Only way they ease up is if he spills everything on the Cervas. They’re not worming their way out of this. It’s just a matter of time. I have the proof—unauthorized access and material theft. All that’s left to do is pour the heat on Meghan. Seeing how she acts, I suspect she’ll come to her senses sooner or later. She’ll crack and she’ll tell us just how fucked up her mother really is to save her own skin.”
Ouch.
Poor Meghan.
Yes, she’s a massive tool and a phony—even if she’s been under crazy pressure—but with a mother like that?
It’s hard to despise her.
I really want to know how much she’s been threatened and ground into compliance.
With any luck, she won’t get the bad ending. This whole thing blowing open could be a fresh start for her.
Adriana, on the other hand...
I hope that witch gets whacked in the face by her own broomstick.
The message from Meghan flashes again in my brain. I purse my lips, wondering what that was all about.
Another pathetic scheme by her mom, probably.
Something meant to drive a wedge between me and Shepherd, if she wasn’t fishing for information about our plans so she could cause more mischief.
Adriana Cerva really should’ve hired better minions than Mark.
I grit my teeth at the thought.
“Once she’s discredited,” Shepherd continues, “the ripple effect should finish off Dumas’ claims. They’ve been dropping off the radar anyway, now that she’s milked time in the spotlight. People lose interest fast without a steady stream of fresh crap. Then we can get on with our lives.”
“Two birds, one stone,” I agree. “Pretty awesome sleuthing.”
And it is, if only it wasn’t one more sign of the end.
We go silent, still sharing a smile as I pull away. I settle next to him and stroke Molly’s neck.
It’s colder now, the realization stark and silent and hurting, even if I’m thrilled we get to walk away from this in one piece.
Shepherd doesn’t move, either.
We’re both trapped in each other’s presence, and I think maybe if I freeze in place, we’ll never address the elephant in the room again.
But maybe we don’t need each other.
What’s that saying again?
All’s well that ends well?
This is, technically, the best ending possible to something that was never meant to be.
We just don’t have the courage to admit it.
But Shepherd blinks as he clears his throat.
“I was thinking,” he says, “about releasing you from the Young Influencers program early. You’ll still get your money, so don’t fret about that.”
“What?” I take a step back.
“I’ve decided to match the prize with an investment of my own. You’re getting double—four million dollars,” he assures me, like it’s the only thing that’s ever mattered.
Holy crap.
Of course, I care about the money.
I’m thrilled to have a sizable donation to a charity of my choice, but hearing the rest knifes me in the heart.
He’s letting me go.
Officially.
“In the long run, it’s better this way,” he says. “You won’t be around to suffer any more whispers or evil eyes in the office. I won’t risk tainting your reputation further as the legal actions against Mark and the Cervas hit the news cycle.”
“My reputation? Don’t you mean yours?” The anger, the hurt, just erupts right out of me.
His gaze holds steady as it locks on mine.
“If that’s what I meant, I would have said it. Your reputation is the only thing that’s mattered since those photos dropped, Dess. You’ve suffered enough and I won’t keep tarnishing you.”
The air punches out of me.
My gut fills with lead, jagged and sharp.
The shards cut even as they drag me down.
Fresh tears sting my eyes and I have to turn away.
“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that now? Pretending we were never together?”
“Destiny—” He sighs.