"You two are getting ridiculous," Maverick points out as we start leaving, not even bothering with goodbyes.
Harley just giggles as I hurry her out the doors.
I watch her as she grins over her shoulder at me, wondering when it will feel like enough. If I could, I'd keep her with me all day every day, never allowing her out of my sight.
It's uncharted territory for me to feel so constantly obsessed, but somehow Harley Hayden is ingrained in all my thoughts. She's just as obsessed with me, which makes this all a lot easier.
At least I think she is.
As soon as we're back at my house, her phone rings inside her purse, and she takes it out, answering it.
"Hey, Vivica," she says, and my muscles tense.
It's like she notes my reaction, offering me a brittle smile, and walks toward the bathroom for privacy. I shouldn't follow. I shouldn't eavesdrop.
I shouldn't be the least bit suspicious.
But I trusted Fiona and never suspected anything.
It didn't work out so well for me back then.
It's common to blame a cheating ex for trust issues, right?
Like the asshole I am, I creep toward the bathroom until I can hear her hushed conversation through the door.
"Good. Just keep pretending to be her friend, lure her into a sense of security, and make it hurt twice as much for our unsuspecting little friend."
My brow furrows. The venom in her tone is unlike anything I've ever heard from her. It's pure malice, and I can actually hear her dark smile.
"She deserved to be used. It'll be the perfect nail on the coffin for the entire family. Finally. We just need her to stay happy until the grand finale."
I frown, wondering what this is all about. Harley once mentioned two other jobs Vivica was doing. But I never even thought to ask questions.
Stupid, I know. She distracts me too easily from thinking and stuff.
I assumed Vivica was also her only friend and that's why she called so much. Now …
There's an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that I really don't welcome. The first shred of doubt tangles around all the beautiful security that has built up around us, and it causes an unwanted crack in that foundation.
No. I'm being ridiculous. Whatever this is, it has nothing to do with me.
"D-day is almost here," Harley says with a soft snicker, reveling in whatever it is she and Vivica have cooked up.
Shaking my head and refusing to second-guess her, I head back to the den.
Harley joins me just as I finish pouring two glasses of wine.
"What'd Vivica want?" I ask, trying to sound conversational and not nosy.
"Nothing much. Just a chat," Harley says, outright lying.
She's a terrible liar. Her face gives it away. Which is probably why she's usually so honest. Her eyes dart around like she's searching for anything but my gaze.
"Okay," I say, feeling that doubt trickle into the wall a little more.
Then again, it's none of my business. I don't have the right to demand answers about everything in her life, when I only recently outed myself in a lie that we'd been living.
That's what the mature, rational side of my brain is telling me. I usually always listen to that side.
It's harder than it's ever been, but I force myself to relax, be mature and reasonable, and drop the subject as I pull her to me. When she kisses me, that doubt recedes.
Because you can't fake that desire.
She can keep her secrets as long as I can keep her.
Chapter 38
HARLEY
"It's done. All necessary shares have been acquired," Vivica says, practically singing the words.
"That means that in less than a month, I can sell the business."
"If Landcaster wants to buy back enough shares to be majority shareholder, he's going to have to bend to your will. As promised. He's at thirty-five percent, unaware that you'll soon have fifty-seven percent, once all the appropriate paperwork is complete."
"Then I guess it's time to finally answer one of Dad's calls. After I let Jessie know I own half her business."
"Rebecca has informed her it's been sold, and they're definitely in a heated legal battle about it. She just learned today that you're the one who has bought it from me. She feels betrayed because of our friendship. I played the part, pretended to be buddies after I blindsided her with buying Rebecca's half. She thought I was considering selling my half to her, and she now realizes I was full of shit the entire time. Tell me I'm awesome."
That explains why my father's messages have gotten more insistent over the past week.
"You're awesome," I say with a smirk. "We're legally covered on all fronts?"
"Definitely. That half was Rebecca's to do with as she pleased, and I offered her more than Jessie. Rebecca has wanted out for a while, but Jessie was trying to buy her out for much less than it was worth. Rebecca is business woman first, friend last."
She rattles on facts, and we discuss all the basics before I finally feel confident enough to finish this.
"Where are you?" I ask her.
"At your office. About to speak with one of your lawyers who just got here. Shouldn't be but a few moments."
"Good. Put everything in motion. I'm on my way to my father's hotel. I've already sent a message to the front desk," I say before hanging up.
Which means I have to cancel on the dinner with Dale and his parents. But I've waited long enough to see my father beg. I've waited long enough to see the look of pure desperation.
I've waited long enough to hear him say he was wrong.
About me.
About my worth.
About everything.
After some more business talk, I finally hang up with Vivica and get into my car, heading to the hotel where my father has been for the past three weeks.
I wonder if Cynthia will also be there. Things will be really fun from there. If I'm really, really lucky, Jessie will also be there, and the true fireworks can begin.
The pretty clause in there states that I can sell my half to a larger company. That larger company would eventually crush her and take it all away.
Everything gone, just like that.
Just like it was for me.
But I have something even more devastating planned for my family. Something so devious that I feel proud to have thought of it myself. Hell, I even impressed Vivica.
People would probably prefer for me to be the "bigger" person here, but when you're the bigger person, you just become a bigger splatter on the road when people run you over or walk all over you. When you're the better person-you show everyone they can't fuck with you and walk away unscathed.
Well, that's my definition of being better. Fuck the sweet doormat people love and/or pity.
I'm proud to be a cunning bitch.
It's not like I'm that person to everyone.
And today I finally-finally!-get to hear my father admit he made a mistake by always putting me down. By always overlooking me. By always stepping all over me for his wife and stepdaughter.
This Cinderella doesn't come back as a princess who married her way into royalty. This Cinderella comes back as a Queen who shattered assumptions and clawed her way to the top.
And it feels damn good.
Dale answers my phone call as I give the hotel valet my keys and take my ticket.
"Hey, you on your way?"
"Something came up. I need to handle it. Can we reschedule?"
He hesitates. "Yeah. Everything okay?"
"Will be."
"Good. Hey, there's someone at my door. Call me when you're done with whatever it is you're doing. What are you doing?"
"Work thing. Sorry."
"No problem. Call me later."
I hang up, take a deep breath, and strut like a boss to the elevator.
Chapter 39
DALE
I swing open the door to find Maverick.
"Why are you always beating on my door these days?"
"Because I need help with Bella," he sighs.
My eyebrows go up. "Is she okay? The baby-"
"Not that kind of help, dickhead. That would be Ethan's department, since he's the one practically married to her. I need help getting revenge. Rye refuses to help me, and you owe me several favors as of late."
I roll my eyes.
"I'm not stupid enough to get dragged into a revenge war between you and a pregnant woman. And Ethan may be laughing for now, but if you keep fucking with his pregnant girlfriend, he'll eventually punch you out."
He frowns, tapping his chin as he gets lost in thought. "Good point. I'll wait until the baby is born before retaliating." He claps his hands together. "Since I'm here, let's go fucking eat."
Since I'm canceling on dinner with my parents, I shrug and figure why the hell not.
I go change into something a little less formal and grab my keys. Maverick is waiting on me when I come back out, and he starts listing the places he wants to eat.
We're halfway in town when I see Harley's office building, and I make a quick detour into the parking lot.
"What are we doing?" Maverick asks, his eyebrows going up. "There's no food in your girlfriend's office."
"She sounded off when I got off the phone with her. I just want to make sure she's okay, and she's usually more forthcoming when we're face-to-face."
"Stalker," he says through a cough, grinning when I roll my eyes.
He follows me in though, and the receptionist-who has gotten used to my surprising appearances-motions us on in. Usually I wait downstairs for Harley. It's rare I ever actually go up to her office.