Page 44 of Secret Revenge

“Jonathan, I’m sure your daughter’s name is there too. I didn’t know what name to search to find her,” I said, moving closer to the desk from the door where I had been standing.

“Wait! Does that mean you have the files from their secure servers? All of them?” he said, completely ignoring what I had just said about his name being on the list.

“Well… yes, I have the files,” I nodded.

“Good. Bring it to me and I will look into them. Let me see them for myself.”

I frowned. “I can’t do that.”

If the information left my hands, I knew itcouldbe used to damage the Rosses. Not by telling the truth in the papers, butby using their files to manipulate their stocks and steal the ideas they were working on. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that happened.

After a moment of shocked silence, Jonathan slammed his hand down hard on the table. His face turned red with anger. It was the first time I had ever seen him angry, and his reaction shocked me.

“What do you mean you can’t give it to me?” he spat out angrily. “I funded your investigation. Every single thing you’ve found rightfully belongs to me.”

Involuntarily, I stepped back, my eyes locked on him as shock coursed through me.I suddenly wished I hadn’t left the file at home, unguarded.

Jonathan’s eyes widened when he noticed my reaction, and a quick calm fell upon him as he reined in his anger.

“Oh Emily, I’m so sorry. I’m just so worked up. It just feels so strange to know that everything I have done so far was all for nothing.” He rubbed his eyes wearily and sighed, his shoulders deflating in disappointment.

I hesitated. His feelings were very valid. But his reaction frightened me.

“I understand. I also felt my emotions going haywire when I found out.” I’ll give you some time to process this.

That was my excuse as I fled from Jonathan’s office and hurried home, praying nothing would happen to the files I’d stupidly left unsecured in my apartment while I was gone.

I had been so lost in my thoughts and feelings as I stalked up the sidewalk in front of my building that I almost didn’t notice Travis standing there, right in front of my door, looking up at me.

I stopped in shock and stared at him. How could he be here?

Of course. They were already investigating me. It was over.

My heart hurt from the pain of my own betrayal. I didn’t know how to feel as my feelings threatened to overtake me. I struggled to calm myself as I wondered what I could possibly say to him. What he already knew.

Resigned to my fate, I chose not to run. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life as a fugitive, even if I could avoid what was sure to be one of the best-funded investigations of the century.

I walked up to Travis, feeling empty inside. Hating that I loved the feeling of his eyes on me. Of the distance closing between our bodies.

“I know everything,” he said gruffly, confirming what I already knew. I nodded, finding it difficult to look up at him.

“Have you come to arrest me?” I asked.

Travis studied me quietly as I waited for his answer. I could feel his eyes trying to meet mine but I couldn’t find the courage to meet his. Not after all that I had done. I had been a terrible person to him despite how wonderfully he treated me.

“No. I have come to hear you out.”

My heart exploded at his words, beating a mile a minute.

There couldn’t be room for hope. And yet, here he was.

21

EMILY

My apartment door shut, isolating me and Travis from the rest of the world. I was at his mercy now.

Travis’ heavy leather soles thudded loudly on my wooden floors as he made his way slowly into the house, and the sounds competed with the heavy heart beats thumping inside my chest. I followed slowly behind him, watching him warily as his eyes swept my living room.