Page 53 of The Shadow

What? You mean you thought I’d have this done and cleaned up in twenty minutes like they do in the movies, you moron!

“I’m sorry.” I offer a pathetic smile. “It does take a bit longer than what people expect, or at least what the movies portray. I promise, I’m just making sure every i is dotted and every t is crossed, Mr. Blake.”

His gaze softens a little and he smiles. “You’re right. I’m expecting it to be like those genius level people who can hack into mainframes and steal cryptos.”

Even when he attempts to be apologetic, it’s passive-aggressive and underhanded. “Yeah.” I shake my head and giggle. “Those guys are way above me.”

Cryptos, forgot to add those to the list of items to grab off the internet in Connor Blake’s name or any other name he has them in. If I know him, he’ll have a list of log in credentials with the website name listed right beside it.

“You know, Aspen.” He drags a single finger down my arm. “I’ve been thinking, when this whole thing is over, maybe you and I should revisit things.”

I want to scream and puke and then scream again because how on earth could this man think that any woman would take him back after his behavior?

“I’m sorry?”

“Oh, come on.” He leans in, bumping my shoulder with his. “Don’t tell me you never think about me. Really think about me.” He reaches the back of his hand out and runs it down my cheek. “We could be really good together and good for each other.”

I continue my keystrokes, trying not to let him get to me. The faster I work, the faster I can get away from him for good.

“You know.” He stands up, relief washing over me. “I could give you a life he’ll never be able to afford. Once this divorce is final, we could make it official, you and me. I could wipe out all of your debt, give you more money than you could spend, and we could even get married.” He laughs. “Hell, have a fucking baby.”

He’s unhinged. Actually unhinged.

“Ohh, this is all so sudden, Mr. Blake, don’t you think? I mean…” I search for the words, but I can’t find a single one for this unexpected complication. I don’t want to upset him, though. If he really is unraveling like he appears to be, he’s on a one-way path to immediate destruction. “After everything that happened between us”—I glance away from him, my voice trembling with pretend fear—“the video you have of me.”

“I know,” he says, holding up his hands. “I know what you’re going to say, but how could I love you or want a life with you when I’ve treated you this way? It was a test,” he says, reaching his hand out as he steps toward me. “I had to test your loyalty and you passed. I knew I could trust you, Aspen.”

He squeezes my arm, his eyes narrowing as he stares at me and I can’t figure out what’s going on.

Is this also a test? Does he know what I’m doing right now and he’s ten steps ahead of me? You have just a split second to make a choice here, Aspen… tell him what he wants to hear.

“I—” I let my eyes drop down bashfully before slowly looking back up at him. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, Mr. Blake, but I—I’ve secretly been in love with you this whole time.” My eyes start to tear up. “That’s why this was all so hard for me. I thought you meant it. I thought you hated me and only wanted to use me.” I let the tears roll and he reaches for a tissue, handing it to me.

“Now I know you’re who I need by my side, Aspen; this just proves what I was saying. Now we can be together, you and me, but you first, we need to make sure that this money goes through so we can have that life together and then…” He reaches for my hand and smiles. “You need to end things with Harvey.”

“Yes. Yes, I will,” I say, grabbing both of his hands with mine. “I only have a few more minutes left on this and then…” I smile. “Then we can be together forever.”

“And I can fire that meathead.” His brows dance when he says it.

“Sir, can I ask, if you don’t mind?” I play up my naivety. “Why’d you hire the Four Forces? Was someone threatening you?”

“You mean you and Harvey didn’t share those intimate secrets when you were cuddled up in bed together at night laughing at me?” I almost laugh at his response, it’s so comical and pathetic, like a jealous line delivered from a B-list actress in a teen drama.

“No.” I shake my head convincingly. “He would never share details of an assignment or a client with me or anyone. He and the other guys take their jobs very seriously.”

“There were some threats, not saying they were credible, but the evidence was there.”

“Evidence?”

“Videos and letters. Lucky for me, my wife’s background just happens to be a bit of a shady one… questionable associations.” He gives me a brief questioning look before a triumphant one takes its place. “Ah hell, who cares at this point. The threats weren’t real, but I needed a way to make it seem like someone was after me.”

“Why?” I ask, actually confused.

“Because how else would I fake my death and why else would I have you moving my money? Connor Blake is about to be a dead man and when I emerge from the ashes triumphant, I’ll have a new identity and three hundred million sitting in various shell companies where my new identity just happens to be the CEO of all those companies.”

“Oh.” His plan was bigger than I realized. “But why go through with the divorce stuff if you’re just going to fake your death anyway?”

“Why not?” He taps his fingers a few times. “You’re not thinking big enough with this. I’m happy to let you in on my biggest secret but you know, Aspen, if I let you in… there is no running away from this.” His gaze is serious as he reaches out and places his clammy hand on my bare thigh. “You’re either in or you’re out.”

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