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Nora

Ben Wilde hired them. Wilde, who you’re negotiating with!!

Rafe

Send over all the information you’ve got.

West

Don’t share it with your team.

Rafe

I won’t.

Nora

They never wanted to stalk me. It’s like you said, as a joke. They wanted to bother you. Knock you off your game. The Wilde’s hated Dad for decades, Rafe. They always said they’d never sell out. And now you have them cornered.

Rafe

The mole in my office. Probably someone Ben Wilde paid, too. Fuck.

West

Maybe they wanted you to fly to New York in a panic. Maybe they just wanted you off your game.

Rafe

Whatever it is, the Wilde’s will pay.

West

I can’t wait.

CHAPTER49

NORA

“You’re still mad at me.”

His words aren’t an accusation. They’re just a statement of fact, coming from where he stands at the base of my bed. It’s been a long day. Longer still with all the information that’s come out, and Iamstill angry.

But I’m also relieved and aching and frustrated and a mess of emotions. I’m everything all at once. Before him, I would have hid that deep down. Would have painted on a smile whatever the cost.

“Yes,” I say, because I’m not that person anymore.

“Do you still want me to sleep here?” He looks tense. A dark outline against the bedside light.

“Yes,” I say again and flip the covers open.

His shoulders sink, like he’s relieved, like he was expecting the opposite. He undoes the buttons of his shirt while I lie on my side, watching him.

“You’re annoyed,” he says, “and I get it. I’m used to it. That was our status quo. Before.”

“Before,” I repeat. He steps out of his jeans, and it’s all long muscles and tan skin. He had the gash on his shoulder checked out, and it’s covered in gauze now. Far more professionally done than I managed in Costa Rica.

He gets into bed on the side that’s somehow become his.