Page 179 of Beautiful Lies

“I want you to stay away from her,” I seethe.

“Fuck you. After what you did, you’re not going to tell me what to do.”

“I just fucking did.” I bare my teeth. “You crossed the line, pal.”

“I did what I had to do. Like I said in Italy—you don’t deserve her. At least you’ve never pretended otherwise. You know she could do better, but you’re still the one she wants.”He reins in his fury, nodding toward the large envelope on the table. “Everything’s in there. All the shit my PI dug up. Including the marriage contract.”

So, he did find it. But why is he giving me his files? “Handing me the files doesn’t erase what you did. You paid someone to break into my system and blast my life across national TV. I could bury you in so many lawsuits your great-grandkids would still be paying them off.”

“Then do it. Bury me in your lawsuits. Do whatever you want to me. I have nothing left to fight for. I’m giving you the files becauseshechose you. There’s little point exposing a sham marriage when her feelings are real.”

His words hit harder than I’m ready for, and for a second, I go still.

“Maybe I’m accepting defeat because the last thing I can do for her is let her go,” Chad continues. “But I’m hoping you choose her, too. She’ll love you even if you don’t deserve it — because that’s what my girl is like. But she won’t be happy if you go through with your plans for the restaurant. Eventually, you’ll lose her. Take a real good look at me, Knox Vale. This is what losing Isla looks like.Me.”

His words dig straight under my ribs, tearing through every excuse I’ve been clinging to.

All I can do is stand there and taste the truth.

I don’t want to end up like him.

Ican’t.

I’ve seen his fate. This—right here—is it. A man who knows he can’t fight anymore, forced to hand her over to someone else. I’m that someone else today.

But if I lose her, I’llbecomeChad.

I refuse to become him.

So I can’t lose her.

That’s the answer.That’s it. Nothing more.

I have the power to keep her.

And I have the power to make her happy.

“I won’t lose her,” I vow.

“I hope so. For her sake.” He stares back at me with the empty eyes of a man who loved and lost.

I lean forward, pick up the envelope, and tuck it under my arm. I give him a single nod, then turn and leave.

By the time I step outside, a plan has already formed in my mind. Something outside the strict reins of my control.

But I’m doing it anyway.

All the members of the board are already in the meeting room when I arrive.

Though I’ve been eager for this moment since the sun came up, I purposely got there just in time. To make a statement—make them wait.

My father and brothers are at the head of the table. I take my seat on my father’s right hand.

While they know I called this meeting to discuss the press leak yesterday, they have no idea the decision I’ve come to.

All eyes shift to me.

Predators, every one of them.