Page 97 of See You There

“I’ve already told Luke everything,” Dahlia said dully. But she hadn’t. She hadn’t told him about what happened to her father. Would it change how Luke felt about her?

Victor grunted in surprise. “I guess he’s got enough of his own dirty laundry to deal with. Did you know he killed someone? He could be arrested any time now.”

Dahlia’s lip curled. She didn’t know how Victor had found out about the GBI investigation, but Dahlia knew Luke. “That’s not true. Luke would never hurt anyone!”

“That’s not what I heard,” Victor hissed. “I got it straight from Crawford. Your little fuck buddy burnt an elderly man alive.”

Dahlia’s gasp only encouraged him. “Not that I blame him. Apparently, your new friend is convinced the old guy helped forge a will that gave his father’s fortune to Matt Crawford’s mother. His brother got kicked out of the company, too. A bunch of losers. I bet my press contacts would love this story. Disinherited, playboy lawyer suspected of murder. I can see the headline now. Maybe I could find an old picture of your mother on stage for a side by side.”

Her stomach bottomed out.

“I told you not to cross me, Doll. I’ll use whatever leverage I’ve got to get what I want. I’m going to win. I always do. You should save all the trouble and just sign a new contract with me now.” Victor laughed cruelly. “It just occurred to me. Did you think you were latching onto a billionaire? Honey, if that’s the route you want to go, I’m sure Crawford will give you another—”

Dahlia ended the call with shaking fingers. She felt sick. Victor sounded even more vicious than ever. She was on borrowed time. And the things he said about Luke. Victor would spread those rumors just to be spiteful, with a smile on his face.

Her mouth was dry as she slowly closed the notebook. She needed to tell Luke what Victor was threatening. She closed her eyes in misery. Last night, Luke had told her how important his reputation was to him. Now, because of her, Victor would do everything in his power to ruin him.

Hot pressure built behind Dahlia’s eyes, and her nose tingled. She looked down at the notebook. Who was she kidding?She was trapped. Dahlia would never be more than what her grandmother had always told her. Worthless.

Dahlia’s throat closed, and when she heard the door open, she bolted to the railing so Luke wouldn’t see the tears already splashing down her cheeks.

“Did I scare you?” Luke’s laughing tone was the straw that broke her control. Dahlia brought up a fist to smother the sob.

“Hey! What’s wrong?” Luke joined her, his hands wrapped securely around her biceps, turning her to face him.

Dahlia was going to ruin his life, and he was still trying to take care of her.

“What happened?” he repeated, his warm eyes searching her face.

The concern in his voice only made her cry harder until she was gasping. “I… I… need to go back… to Atlanta,” she hiccupped.

Luke's brows furrowed and his hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs brushing the tears from her wet cheeks. She struggled to catch her breath. Luke ducked his head to meet her eyes.

“Slow down. I saw you an hour ago, and you were fine. Happy even.” His lips tipped up in the corners before falling again. “What happened while I was in my meeting?”

“Victor,” She drew in a watery breath and blew it out, trying to sound normal, but her voice shook. Luke’s handsome face became stone.

“Victor what?” His voice was frigid.

Dahlia’s eyes dipped. “Matt Crawford told him about the GBI investigation. He said if I don’t go back and sign the contract, he’s going to leak it to the press that you murdered an old man. Luke, I’m so sorry. I never should have let you get involved in my life. It never ends well for anyone I care about.” Dahlia’s voice broke.

Luke swore and pulled her tight into his chest, her face nestled into his neck.

“He’s going to ruin you. Victor’s made up some story about a will and how you burned…” Dahlia couldn’t even say the words. “He doesn’t care that it’s not true. Victor only wants to win. You don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry.”

Luke rested his chin on the top of her head, his arms clamped around her as her shoulders shook. “This isn’t your fault, beautiful. You’ve got to stop crying like that. You’re breaking my heart.”

Dahlia could hear his heart galloping against her. Luke was so strong and solid… And this would probably be the last time he held her like this. The thought brought on a fresh wave of sobs. “I… I… shouldn’t…”

Luke made soothing noises as he led her back into the cabin. Luke sat on the sofa, and pulled Dahlia onto his lap, her eyes screwed shut. With one hand on either side of her face, he leaned back to look in her face.

“Open your eyes, beautiful.”

Dahlia shook her head. “I’ve ruined everything. I thought…”

Luke hooked an arm around her knees, cuddling her into him as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You did nothing wrong. This is that sick bastard’s fault, and I promise you he will be the one who pays for it. Not you.”

Dahlia’s eyes flew open. “You don’t understand. He has all these press contacts, and because of my name, it will get traction. People will think awful things…” Luke’s low laugh stopped her tears. He didn’t seem to grasp how serious this was. “Luke, he’s going to ruin you by saying you killed someone. It won’t matter that it’s not true. People might believe it… And they’ll talk… You don’t understand how fast this will spread… How damaging rumors…”