AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s home with her baby and I’d never ask her to leave a three-month-old behind for me. So, I asked Geoffrey if I could borrow Emily for the week.” He leaned forward. “After I pried Emily’s story from her, I made some arrangements and I have records showing she’s been my employee for several years.”
Mark’s eyebrows shot up. “You did?”
“I didn’t want her to be ashamed of what she’d been through the last few years, although after talking with her father...” David frowned and shook his head. “He’s a bastard if I’ve ever met one.” His jaw clenched.
“He knew I was in DC,” Emily said softly.
Mark’s jaw dropped open as he turned to her. “Are you serious?”
She nodded and pressed her lips together, tears filling her eyes. “He’s known the whole time what—” She swallowed and hung her head. “He knew. Everything.”
Mark looked back, open-mouthed, at David, who nodded in confirmation. His jaw clenched and he fisted his hands. “I can’t believe he would do—No. I can believe it. Did Rafael know too?”
“We were hoping you might know,” David said. “I only spoke to Joe and Juliet.”
“Rafael knows Emily’s here.” He blew out a breath. “He’s pissed you’re blackmailing Joe. He said you’d pay.”
David frowned. “They’re blaming me for their mess?” He let out a bitter laugh. “That’s rich.”
Mark leaned back and ran his hands through his hair as David told him about confronting Joe before dinner, and Mark shared what he’d seen and heard from Rafael.
David sat back in his chair, fingers tented between him, looking thoughtful. “Emily, did you order those supplies from the front desk you had listed?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. I’m sorry, David. I’ll go do that.” She jumped up and hurried across the room and through a closed door.
Mark watched her leave.
“She has her own bedroom,” David said.
Mark looked back. “You’re not going to...”
David shook his head. “I can’t. Not after learning what happened to her.” He gave a wry grin. “Besides, now, according to my company records, she’s my employee. Couldn’t, even if I wanted to.”
Mark studied the older man, guilt closing his throat. He cleared it before he spoke. “Listen, David, I need to tell you something...”
David smiled. “You’ve been my wife’s latest lover?”
Mark blinked. “You knew?”
The other man chuckled. “I had my suspicions and Emily confirmed them.”
Mark shifted in his seat. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Our marriage has been strained for years. You made Abby happy.” He chuckled again. “Until you broke it off with her.”
“Well, I didn’t—”
David held up his hand. “I should have phrased that better. I know you didn’t break up with her.” He tilted his head. “You really like Emily, don’t you?”
Mark glanced at the closed bedroom door and blew out a breath. “I do.”
David laughed. “She’s an amazing young woman.”
“She is.”
“She likes you, too.”
Mark’s heart warmed and he smiled. “I wish she’d let me help her.”
