Page 119 of Undeniably Corrupt

“Yes, sir.” I blink coquettishly at him. “I’d hate to disappoint my boss.”

He groans. “Don’t make me hard again.”

“Because that would be bad.”

“Liora.” His face meets his hands. “My cock has become your willing slave. Please, give it a reprieve from your demanding ways.”

“Such a pussy.”

He laughs. “I will splay you out on my table and eat your cunt all afternoon while I edge the fuck out of you. Office and employees be damned. Don’t test me. Go out there and look stricken by your very dominating boss.”

I wink. “Whatever you say, sir.” I pop a kiss on the corner of his lips. “Oh, and can we play that game later?”

“I have more toys for you, so yes.”

I will never be bored with this man. I rush out of the conference room but then remember myself and act pissed and defiant and fuck you to all I pass. I won’t be cast down, and I don’t think Vander would expect that either.

35

The rest of the day, most people give me a wide berth. It’s one I appreciate even if they’re simply feeling awkward that my boss cleared a conference room to yell at me. But here’s the thing. I can’t stop my mind. I know Vander Moore. I’ve known him practically my entire life. He’s the guy you call in the middle of an emergency because he’s the sort of guy who will always be there when you need him.

That’s what troubles me.

I mean, I’ve heard his friends intimate about it. He’s the quiet hero. The vigilante hiding in the dark, waiting to strike. He’s Batman, and Batman always fights on the side of good, even when he’s a bit morally gray himself.

And I love him. I just do. I’ve loved him for… forever.

I don’t want him to go up against my father or the FBI. I don’t want him to put himself further at risk. It terrifies me to think what my father will do to him if he finds out, and that’s not even including what the FBI will do if they find out he’s hacking them and evidently has been for years.

This is my mess to clean up. Not Vander’s. And I’m tired oftaking the cowardly way out. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder, hiding, and always being afraid. I don’t want this life anymore. I don’t want it for my daughter. She deserves better. She deserves a mother who is strong. A mother who stands up for the things she should and does the right thing no matter what.

But something in what Vander said is clicking with me. Well, several things actually, but one thing in particular is pounding like a drum in my head. I’ve had suspicions for a long time about this. Now I’m going to test my theory and run with it.

Me: I love you, Mom. I have no idea what sort of private hell you’ve been living through all these years with him, but I’m so sorry this has been your life. I’m sorry I haven’t done more to change it or stop it.

Me: Hazel has our eyes. She’s beautiful. And I see so much of Cass in her smile. I miss Cass, and I know you do too. He should still be with us. He shouldn’t be gone.

Mom: Your father’s a good man. He works hard for our family. I love him, and I love being here with him. I wouldn’t change anything.

Me: Give me the respect of not lying to me about him. We both know what he’s done. We both know the monster he is. One day, I’d love for you to meet your granddaughter.

Mom: I’d love that too, baby girl.

She leaves it at that, and I swallow thickly, thinking through what I’m doing. I don’t have a choice, though. Not anymore. I can’t continue to live like this. Hazel can’t grow up like this. I have to do something other than run and hide. Even if it scares the shit out of me.

And with that notion in my head, I make a phone call from the landline in a random, empty office.

“Surgical ICU, this is Rina speaking.”

“Hi, Rina. I’m looking for Dr. Katy Barrows Lawson.”

“Um, I’m not sure if she’s on this floor at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?”

“You’re Rina Fritz, right?” I remember Katy mentioning her the other day at Mason’s when we were talking about all their people who work at MGH with us.

There’s a long pause before she answers. “Yes. That’s my maiden name. Who’s this?”

“I need help. I’m a friend of your people. Keegan and Kenna and Sorel and Katy and Wren, who I know are your nieces.” I twirl around in the empty office chair toward the window and the darkening sky beyond. “I’m trying to help one of your extended people. One of their primary people. Can you put me through to Katy? It has to be on this line, and it has to be her.”