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However, I’d needed outside confirmation of my suspicions and the scope of his activities, both of which Christian just gave me.
“He was smart,” Christian said. “He included a fake tail on himself so his involvement wouldn’t be obvious if anyone discovered the spying, and he buried his payments beneath several shell accounts. It took me about an hour to unmask him. The details are in the vault, next to his communications with Victor and several board members.”
I opened the digital vault Christian had shared with me and skimmed through the files.
Blackmail. Coercion. Conspiracy.Russell had been a busy boy.
“I assume I’ll see some of these photos in the news soon?” Christian sounded like he couldn’t care less.
“Not until after the transition ceremony.” I stared at a photo of Victor and Russell meeting under a bridge. It was such a cliché shot I almost laughed. They could pass for actors in a low-rent police drama. “I wouldn’t want to preempt the in-person reveal.”
“Of course.” This time, a note of relish entered Christian’s voice. “Much more dramatic that way.”
We discussed a few remaining details before I hung up and logged out of the vault. My earlier fury abated, replaced with coolheaded clarity.
Asking Christian to prioritize my request would cost me in the future. His standard fee was exorbitant, but he traded in favors more than money.
I’d cross that bridge when I got there. Last week, I’d wallowed in the shock of my loss. This week, I had a purpose again: expose Russell and force a new CEO vote. According to company bylaws, if an incoming CEO was deemed unfit to serve before their official appointment, the voting committee had fourteen days to select a replacement.
Victor had been right about one thing. My hubris had cost me the leadership role the first time because I’d refused to ask for help; I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
I picked up the phone again, a thrill of impending victory shooting through me. I had six days to pull my plan together, but the hard part was already done.
Now, it was time to get my family’s company back.
CHAPTER 37
Isabella
By the time Christmasbirthdaynewyearpalooza ended, I was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. Too many forced smiles, sixteen-hour days, and concerned looks from my other brothers when they thought I wasn’t looking.
I tried to sleep on my flight back to New York, but my mind was plagued with indecision over my next steps.
Iwantedto finish my book, but if I hadn’t done it by now, I probably wouldn’t ever do it. I should just give up instead of wasting my time chasing something I’d never catch.
I enjoyed working with Alessandra, and I was decent at my job. Maybe I’d become a full-time assistant instead. It was easier to follow instructions than to create something from scratch for myself, and I’d rather work for her than Gabriel.
You have no accountability in New York.
It’s your choice. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
My chest tightened as I unlocked the door to my apartment and flipped on the lights.
I already knew what Gabriel would say. He’d berate me for being a flake, pressure me to work for the hotel, and insist I move home instead of wasting my time in New York, all in that irritatingly calm, I-know-better-than you tone of his.
Sometimes, his unflappable demeanor reminded me of Kai, except Kai was infinitely less annoying and more encouraging.
My heart gave another wrench at the thought of Kai and what I had to do, but I pushed it aside.
Don’t worry about that until you have to.
I showered, unpacked, and said hi to Monty. I’d fed him right before I left, so he was good for another week.
“Hey, bud. Did you miss me?” I stroked his cool skin with one hand as he twined around my other arm and flicked his tongue in greeting. Reptiles couldn’t feel emotions the way humans did, but I could’ve sworn his eyes glinted with concern when he looked at me. Or maybe that was my exhaustion talking.
I gave Monty one last pat before I released him back into his tank.
I fished the new Ruby Leigh thriller I bought at the airport out of my bag and was preparing to sink into an evening of sex, murder, and self-soothing when the doorbell rang.
