I did trust Alex, but that isn’t the only reason I got careless. Normally, I don’t let anyone in. If a man came close to knocking down my guard, I chopped down his ego just as fast. That had them running for the hills in an instant.
Unfortunately, Alex didn’t give in so easily. The way he helped me through my grief with Luca assured him his placement on my list rather quickly, then, as the days went on, my feelings for him flourished right alongside it.
I stop reminiscing about the good times when Isaac asks, “Are you certain it was him who deceived you?”
My lips firm before I nod. “I went to take a shower one morning, and when I came out, my laptop was open and turned on.” I breathe deeply, preparing my lungs for the knock Isaac’s disappointment will hit them with before confessing, “It was the laptop I had all the Theresa files saved on.”
Isaac surprises me for the second time in twenty-four hours when he fails to react to my confession. It is as if he’s already aware Alex knows about his ongoing paternity battle with Theresa. I shouldn’t be surprised. Isaac knows everything.
I exhale the breath I’m holding before continuing my story. It feels good to finally get it off my chest. “At first I brushed it off. I thought maybe he was checking his emails or googling movie times for a flick we were going to see, but it didn’t take long for my suspicion to grow that he had looked through my files.”
The sternness on Isaac’s face slackens. “What caused your wariness?”
I shrug. “He mentioned numerous times his dislike for his boss. He never said what he did for a living, but he shared stories about how she was underhanded and shady, and how he’d run things differently if he were in her position.”
The quiver of my heart is heard in my words when I say, “The day after my laptop was open, he arrived at my apartment, beaming with excitement because she had been removed from her position, and he wanted to celebrate.”
I smile to hide my grimace. With revenge, very little sleep, and a few nips of liquid courage fueling my motives that night, my memories are a little hazy, but no matter how clouded they are, I know it wasn’t Alex who suggested we celebrate. That was all me and my stupid quest for revenge.
When Isaac peers at me, encouraging me to continue, I say, “Not very often did Alex drink. He is usually more controlled, but since we were celebrating, he let loose. I soon realized why he doesn’t drink. After a few drinks, his lips loosen up as well.”
Although my plan that night worked, my endeavor to loosen his lips didn’t go as I had predicted. My heart thwacks my chest just recalling the words he said that evening. “I did, Rae. I meant every fucking word. How can you not believe me? I’ve been acting like a lovesick idiot all week.”
I swallow harshly to eradicate the bitter taste in my throat before confessing, “With the snippets of information he shared earlier, it didn’t take long to realize what industry he was in. When he was asleep, I rifled through his belongings. I didn’t find anything concrete except a locked cell phone, so I called Hunter.”
When Isaac growls, I push out, “Hunter didn’t know what my request pertained to. I told him I needed to hack into a guy’s phone to send his wife pictures of her cheating husband. You know how much Hunter hates cheaters.”
When Isaac nods, aware of Hunter’s dislike of cheaters, I breathe a little easier. The last thing I want is to throw another man into the deep end with me.
Some of the anger on Isaac’s face jumps to mine when I disclose, “Hunter explained how I could gain access to Alex’s phone without needing the passcode. When it unlocked, not only did I find hidden emails corresponding to you and your empire, but I also found photos of Theresa’s files from my laptop.”
I peer out the window of Isaac’s office before confessing my darkest sin. “You know the stupidest part? The passcode for his phone was my birthday. That is how good he is. He played the devoted boyfriend act very well.”Nearly as well as he’ll fill the role of dad and beloved husband on Dane’s behalf.
My hand sweeps my wet cheek before I return my eyes to Isaac. “I tried to lead him astray, steer him in the wrong direction, but I think I made matters worse. Not only does he believe you're the man your FBI file says you are, he thinks we—”
“Had an affair.”
When my mouth falls open, Isaac smirks, appreciative of my shock. “I gathered that after my run-in with him. He doesn’t hide his jealousy well.” I almost nod, but Isaac’s next question steals my attention. “Is he the reason you moved back to Texas?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to run the risk of bumping into him.” I fold my arms across my chest to hide the shake of my hands. “I wanted to tell you. I tried a few times before I left, but I was ashamed I let him play me like a fool. If I honestly thought he had anything significant that was going to hurt you or your empire, I would have told you, Isaac, but he had nothing. He still has nothing.”Except my heart.
After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Isaac assures me, “You don’t owe me anything, Regan. Me helping you wasn’t under the stipulation that you’d owe me. I did it because you were my friend, not to gain your moral obligation for the remainder of your life.”
My face scrunches up as I struggle to hold in my tears. He didn’t help me because he was my friend; he did it because he saw in me what I saw in him: a wounded, broken soul begging for a second chance. He gave me that chance when he chose me over several more suitable candidates to join his empire. I’ll be forever grateful for the day he came into my life; I just wish it could have been done without hurting Alex in the process.
Mistaking my tears as heartache, Isaac says, “If he is your Achilles heel—”
“He isn’t.” My voice jitters as I struggle to conceal my hundredth lie of the week. You’d think I’d be a pro by now since I’ve denied the same thing to Raquel and my mom numerous times this week.
I do love Alex; I just don’t know how I can have both him and Isaac in my life at the same time.
The sternness in Isaac’s eyes softens. “If he is, your loyalty and dedication the past seven years repaid any debt you seem to think you still owe, so don’t feel obligated to choose between your employer and the man you love.”
God—who is this man? How can he read me like this? There have only been three men who’ve been able to read me so efficiently: my dad, Luca, Alex, and now Isaac.
My voice cracks when I murmur, “Even if I do love him, it doesn’t make a difference. He lost my trust. He can never get that back.”
“Hugo once told me—”
