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On cue, Corinne gasps. I look up to find her gripping her phone and swallowing hard like she’s going to be sick. “Oh, my gosh.”
Tears fall down her cheeks. The sight crushes me. I’ve got a firm about to go down in flames, a boss-slash-sister who might cut me loose, and the future I’ve craved is slipping through my fingers.
But Corinne needs me more.
“I have to go,” I tell Bethany.
“Right now? Seriously?”
“Sorry. We’ll talk soon.” I don’t wait for her reply, just hang up and toss my phone on the bed, then dash for Corinne.
I take the device from her hand and glance down. Riley texted her screen shots from all over the internet, nasty posts calling her every manner of slut while demanding I be fired and that my CFP be revoked.
That son of a bitch.
“Let’s sit down and talk.”
My voice snaps Corinne out of her stupor. She snatches her phone back just as Riley sends another message.
What the fuck does he want?
To make your woman his again.
Corinne shakes her head, backing away. “I…I can’t do this anymore. I came to you for a favor, but I never thought it would ruin your life. I’m so, so sorry. You tried everything to help me…”
And she thinks leaving me is the answer?
“It’s all right, princess. I’ll smooth things over with Bethany and our clients.” At least I’ll try. “You and I can still see this through. This brouhaha will die down in a few days. Your brother will crack if you stay strong. We’re close—”
“No. Xavian, we have to stop.” She presses a hand to her chest, her face twisting with guilt. “I’m ruining your life. That partnership you want so badly is all but gone, and if they take your CFP—”
“They can’t. Someone’s interpretation of public indecency isn’t cause to yank my certification.” Riley, the motherfucker, knows that. He’s using the threat to scare her.
It’s working.
Corinne gapes at me like I’ve gone insane. “Does it matter if you lose all your clients? Revenge can’t possibly be worth all this to you. I know you hate my brother, but stop and think—”
“I don’t give a shit about your brother anymore.”
“That’s probably healthier, but if you’re trying to get your reputation back, this isn’t the way.” She straightens her shoulders with a resolution that sends a chill down my spine, then heads toward her suitcase. She grabs a couple of garments she’s strewn on the nearby chair, tossing them in before slamming the lid. “I’m going to go.”
“In the middle of the night? The hell you will. None of this is your fault. I’m a big boy who went into this with my eyes wide open. You’re not ruining anything. I’ll recover. Stay.” I’ve never begged for anything in my life, but I’m begging her now. “Please.”
“I can’t,” she chokes as more tears fall. “I’m ruining my life, too. Since we started this charade, I’ve felt like I’m on a carnival ride. Dizzying highs and terrifying lows. Every day, I’m being jerked, spun, and flipped around on a ride with no seat belts and no end. I can’t hang on anymore.”
“I’ll do a better job protecting you. I’ll get the heat off you.”
“You can’t. And I can’t pretend anymore.” She taps out a message—to Riley?—then tosses her phone on the bed. “I’ll get the rest of my things later.”
Pretend what?
When she turns for the bathroom, clean clothes in hand, I grab her arm. “If this is about the condom, I’m sorry. It’s never happened before. I’ll be more careful next time. And if you get pregnant—”
“There can’t be a next time.” She jerks away. “We’re turning each other inside out. Less than a week ago, I was just Parker Emerson’s fairly anonymous sister sitting at home, making jewelry for people on the internet. You were Barclay Reed’s financial wizard son doing such amazing things with portfolios that investors ignored your personal exploits. But now we’re plastered all over TMZ. I can’t handle it anymore. I can’t let you ruin yourself.”
Corinne disappears into the bathroom and locks it. Since I fucking left the key on the counter beside the sink, I sag against the door, resisting the urge to break the damn thing down, and curse.
Maybe if I give her a minute or two alone, she’ll calm down.
But I’m kidding myself. She won’t. What the hell do I do now?
Across the room, her phone chimes. That asshole Riley. I’m going to fucking let him have it with both barrels.
I snag the device. Since the screen hasn’t gone dark yet, I see their string of texts. I would feel guilty about invading Corinne’s privacy if I wasn’t trying to protect her. This douche hurt her once. He doesn’t deserve a second chance.
But when I read his message, my heart stops.
I’ve sent a car for you. It will pick you up in ten minutes. Call me when you’re safely inside. I’ll be waiting.
