Page 38 of The Shadow

We both sit in complete silence when it finishes, a mix of relief and confusion rushing through me. Finally, I turn to look at her. “What made you decide to watch it?”

“It didn’t make sense to me. Why would he incriminate himself like that? Literally record himself assaulting someone only to use it to blackmail me and give me a copy of it?” She stands up, starting to pace back and forth. “I could just feel it in my gut that there was more to this, so that’s what I had to do tonight. I needed to watch it alone. I had no idea what I was about to witness on it and I didn’t want to experience that with someone else there.”

“I understand.” I continue sitting on the couch, staring at the floor.

“I just keep thinking about it over and over again. Another thing he mentioned was money. In my excitement to accept the promotion from him months back, I’d mentioned how I’d finally be able to pay off my mom’s medical bills someday with the raise. I think he assumed that offer would be enough that maybe I wouldn’t even look at the drive. But then, when he came over that night, gave me the drive, and threatened me, he told me he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy me in the process of destroying himself but I know that can’t be true.” She shakes her head, looking at me.

“I would agree with that assessment. From the little I know about the man, he’s a sexist pig but he loves himself far too much to throw it all away for money. The man’s worth eight hundred million.”

My head snaps up. “Did you just say eight hundred million?”

“That’s what the headlines say.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t make sense, then.” She fiddles with her fingers for a moment. “He thought I wouldn’t watch it; he counted on that.” She wipes at her eyes. “He’s evil. Where everyone else sees a shy, quiet woman, he saw a broken one, starved for attention and love, and he used that against me.” She looks up at me with tear-filled eyes and it’s like watching my heart break into a million pieces.

“Baby.” I don’t know what else to say to her other than I’ll drive across town right now with zero hesitation and put a clip in him, but I know that won’t help the matter.

“I-I have a plan, a way I can use this to ruin him… for good.”

My eyes grow wide and I stand up to look at her. “Ruin him?”

She nods confidently. “I’m done being used. I’m done being trampled and I’m done letting people like him trample others.” Her voice wavers slightly, and her chin even quivers but she remains calm. “I know I’m not the only person he’s done this to and I can guarantee you that he either has plans for Natalie or he’s going to just use her and throw her away once she’s boring to him.”

This isn’t the first time someone has tried to break Aspen, that’s evident. She has that steely look of determination in her eyes, the same one I had when I told myself there was only one way my father was ever going to leave this earth and that was in a body bag that I put him in.

“What’s your plan?”

She taps her fingers nervously against her leg as she levels her eyes on me with a look I’ve never seen from her before. It’s the look of a captive animal that’s been pushed to the point of no return.

It’s one that says there is no going back.

There is no more negotiation.

“He has to pay for what he’s done and I’m going to be the one to make sure that happens.”

“We,” I reiterate as I stand up and pull her into my arms, “are going to be the ones to make sure that happens.”

“No.” She shakes her head as she places her hands gently against my chest. “I can’t involve you in this, not with your company and reputation at stake.”

I lean in and kiss her, my hands on either side of her face. “There’s nothing in this world that will stop me from helping you. If I have to, I will walk away from Four Forces. I will gladly sell my part of the business to the others if it means keeping you safe—for good.”

“I can’t…” Tears fall down her cheeks. “I’ve already lost someone before—I can’t lose you too.”

I don’t ask for an explanation, now isn’t the time. Instead, I wrap her tightly in my arms, telling her over and over again that I’m not going anywhere. I close my eyes, her sobs finally coming in waves that rack her body with convulsions.

Picking her up in my arms, I carry her to my bedroom where I lay her on the bed, crawling in beside her to pull her against me.

Maybe this is my second chance. Maybe this time… I can save her.

When the sunlight breaks through my curtains, I feel Aspen stir beside me.

“What time is it?” Her sleep-filled voice groans as she stretches her arms over head and sits up.

“Shit.” I look down at our still fully clothed bodies. “We both conked out, I guess.” I grab my phone and look at the time. “It’s just after six thirty.” I place it back on the nightstand and turn to look down at her.

“Good morning.” She blinks up at me, a lazy smile on her face as she curls into my chest.

“Mmm, I could get used to this.” I toss one leg over her. “You’re not going anywhere today,” I mumble against her neck.

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