Page 54

I think about Dad, finally showing signs of life again. About the hundreds of employees who depend on Sterling Motors. About Lila...
“She’ll understand,” Jaxson says quietly.
“What?”
“The neighbor. The chef.” At my surprised look, he shrugs. “It’s my job to know things, Luke. And from what I’ve observed, she seems like someone who would understand.”
“I can’t ask herto—“
“To what? Wait a few weeks while you protect your family’s legacy. From what I’ve seen, neither of you has any other choice.”
He’s right, damn him. And Lila would tell me to do whatever it takes to save the company. But after last night...
“You have until the payment is due,” I say finally. “Three weeks.”
“I’ll have my team work around the clock.” He starts typing on his laptop. “In the meantime, I suggest you call your... fiancée. Act appropriately surprised and happy about the announcement. Maybe even schedule a celebration dinner.”
The thought makes me nauseous, but I nod. “What about Chen and Hartley?”
“Leave them to us for now. I’ll arrange to have some information about Davidson’s previous ventures find its way to them. Plant seeds of doubt.”
“And my father?”
“Tell him the basics but not the details. The less he knows about our investigation, the more genuine his reactions will be. Davidson’s watching him closely.”
I stand, feeling the weight of what I’m agreeing to. “Alright. Three weeks.”
“One more thing.” Jaxson’s voice stops me at the door. “The neighbor—Lila. Be careful how much time you spend with her. Davidson’s people may be watching you both.”
The implication sends a chill down my spine. “You think he’d—“
“I think Marcus Davidson got where he is by covering all the bases.” Jaxson’s eyes are hard. “Protect her by keeping your distance. At least until we have what we need.”
Outside, I sit in my car for a long time, staring at my phone. Finally, I pull up Crystal’s number.
“Luke!” She answers on the first ring. “Have you seen the announcement? Daddy’s PR team did such an amazing job!”
“Yeah,” I manage. “It’s... perfect.”
“Oh, I know we hadn’t officially decided, but Daddy said the timing was right, and you know how he is about these things...”
I let her chatter on, making appropriate noises of agreement. When she suggests a celebration dinner this weekend, I agree with that, too.
Then I pull up Lila’s number, my finger hovering over the call button. But Jaxson’s warning echoes in my head.
Instead, I type out a text: ‘Meeting ran long. Need to handle some things in town. Talk soon.’
Her reply comes quickly: ‘Everything okay?’
No. Nothing about this is okay. But I write: ‘Just a lot going on. Will explain when I can.’
After a moment, she sends back a simple heart emoji. Because, of course, she does. Because she’s Lila, and she understands even when I can’t explain.
I start the car, pointing it westward instead of toward home. Toward Crystal and her father’s games, away from what I really want.
The Davidson estate makes my family’s home look modest. Everything screams new money—from the gaudy fountains to the gold-plated door handles. Crystal’s waiting in the foyer, wearing something stylish and expensive.
“Luke!” She throws herself at me, and I force myself to catch her, to smile like I’m happy to be here. “Isn’t this exciting?Daddy’s arranged everything!”