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Sage didn’t but it was so much better than the alternative. “Call it intuition.”
“Your intuition is right. I heard from one of our distributors today and they said they are discontinuing distribution of QTR to their supermarkets.”
“What? But why?” And then realizing she already knew the answer to her own questions, she said, “Elsa. Of course. Did they say why?”
He shook his head. “They were very short and to the point. So I took it upon myself to make inquiries with a couple of our other distributors. It seems Elsa has been making the rounds.”
Sage sat down before she fell down. Her whole world felt as though it were crumbling around her. “This can’t be happening. That woman won’t stop until she puts me in the ground. I probably wouldn’t even die in a manner that would please her.”
“Hey, it’s not that dire. I was able to talk to all of the other distributors and keep them on board. So we’re only down one.”
“For now, until Elsa finds another way to stick it to me via the magazine.” Now that the shock had worn off, anger was taking over. Sage got to her feet and started to pace. “If only I had a way to stop her.”
“I might be able to help you.”
“What? But how?”
“You know how I’m into computers and security software, right?” She nodded and he continued. “In my business, you get to know the best hackers because I need them to break into my software in order for me to make it stronger.”
“So you hire criminals?”
“Pretty much. Hey, if the government can hire them, I can, too. It helps keep them out of trouble.”
“But I have a feeling you’ve turned them back to their illegal activities.”
“I’m not admitting anything. All I’ll say is that I have a handful of trusted computer experts, and if there’s anything in cyberspace to stop Elsa, they will find it. She has no idea what sort of war she has started.” Trey looked so proud of himself that she hated to say anything. But he must have read it on her face. “What aren’t you saying?”
She sighed. “I had someone do the internet thing and they couldn’t turn up anything.”
“They weren’t looking in the dark corners these guys will be searching. I’m not saying they will, but they could look o
n her very own computer. That is, if they wanted to.”
“I’m sure they will.” She wanted to trust Trey. But he’d already let her down once. What would stop him from doing it again?
“Talk to me, Sage.” The hopeful look faded from his face. He stepped up to her and reached out, taking her hands in his own. “I know I hurt you, but I promise it won’t happen again. If we’re going to beat Elsa, we have to work together.”
He was right. They were stronger together. She’d been working on taking Elsa down by herself for the past year, but there still wasn’t enough to make Elsa relinquish her hold on her family’s company.
She stared deep into Trey’s eyes. Inside her a war raged—to trust him or not. Having access to all of QTR’s files, he had the ability to hurt her. But he hadn’t. Nor had he walked away after his cover was blown. He seemed genuinely interested in saving the magazine.
Maybe it was time to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Sage inhaled a deep steadying breath and then she slowly blew it out. “I also have someone digging into Elsa’s web of lies. He uncovered small things, but nothing that would stand up in court and prove she didn’t belong at White Publishing.”
“This person, do you trust him?”
“Let’s just say I trust him as much as I trust anyone who makes their living out of spying on people. So far he’s proven himself reliable.” Now for the latest development. “And he’s on to something big.”
* * *
Had she forgiven him?
It was so hard to tell.
Trey stood on the deck of the luxury yacht surrounded by celebrities in their finest attire, but he only had eyes for Sage. She was the only star in his eyes.
Her black clingy dress emphasized her curves and made it difficult to concentrate. And the thigh-high slit that gave him glimpses of her bare legs—
