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Knocks us back to square one.
I’m beginning to think none of this is worth it.
Chapter thirty-two
Joar
A Few Minutes Later
I take a deep breath, try to steady my racing heart.
Trust doesn’t come easy for me.
Witnessing Clover’s shock and horror when I played the voicemails showed me everything I needed to see. Confirmed what I knew in my heart.
She’s innocent.
Why couldn’t I control my traitorous cock when she walked in the room? From her perspective, I understand why she’s so upset. She came in here full of light and sunshine and flirtation.
Because she loves me.
I’m the asshole who manhandled her. Fucked her hard and dirty. Berated her. Then accused her of committing a crime.
Now she’s curled into herself, devastated.
I don’t deserve her. But, I can’t lose her.
I’m awash in anger, confusion, and disgust. I can’t make it right, but maybe I’ll be able to take away some of the pain I’ve inflicted. “I believe you.”
Before I can stop myself, I’m beside her, clutching her hand. Stroking her hair. When she finally looks up, her aqua eyes brim with agony. “It totally sounds like me. If I was you, I’d have run far, far away without looking back.”
My brow furrows with regret. “Clover, I… I know who you are. I shouldn’t have come at you like that.“ I hang my head in remorse. “I’m truly sorry. And, for the record, I just learned Seth disregarded my orders about having you investigated. He’s my oldest and dearest friend. I know he thought he was doing the right thing. But, you should know, I’ll choose you over him if it comes to that. I’m so very sorry, sweetness. About all of it.”
The weight of my apology hangs in the air.
For long, agonizing minutes.
“I’m going to choose to take you at your word.” Clover’s voice trembles when she finally speaks.
Then it hits me at once. A jolt of realization. My jaw clenches with anger because it’s so fucking obvious. “It was Harrison. I heard his deal with the feds fell through. He’s going down and wanted you to go down with him.”
Clover’s eyes grow wide with awe. “Omigod. Now that you say that, Kris mentioned something about Kircher using deep fake videos to bring his ‘enemies’ down with him. If he used old voicemails from me to do this, I’m officially horrified. I bet the two of them thought they could get away with it.” She laughs bitterly. “God, I sound like I’m in a Scooby Doo cartoon.”
We smile at each other for a quick second. Then her expression turns cold and she looks away.
“You nailed it. That’s exactly what happened. Stupid desperate assholes.” Fire burns in my soul. “I wonder if he knows you and I are together.”
She keeps her eyes averted. “I haven’t been in communication for a really long time. It wouldn’t surprise me, though…”
“Well, assuming he does, he probably was trying to get back at me too. Taking his business. Then his wife.” I’m disgusted beyond belief at how low that man will go. “Let me talk to Seth. Find out where he got his intel. See what he can dig up.”
“Do it. I want to press charges.” Clover’s voice is filled with determination. “I can’t let him get away with this.”
I squeeze her hand, which I’m still holding. Hope she finds it reassuring, though she still can’t seem to look at me. “I won’t stop until I destroy that motherfucker. He won’t fucking get away with trying to hurt you this way.”
She pulls her hand away. Gets up and stands at the window. The sun is setting, a brilliant watercolor sky of purples, oranges, and pinks, which reflect off her glassy black hair.
I can’t see the pain in her eyes.
