Page 20 of Best Laid Plans

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

She shrugged. "I don't trust her. I think she's going to cause trouble with lies, and…just…I don't want her here, Anson."

"It's not your call, Bailey."

"Is that why you gave this project to me?" she demanded.

I grinned. "Yes. You have a problem with that?"

Her eyes widened, and then her lips curved slyly. "You have a plan, don't you."

"I'm going to make it damn easy for Nova to embezzle funds from Larue Homes. With her in a position of control over the finances for the project, I'm certain she'll take the bait."

Bailey frowned. "What if she doesn't? What if she's become smarter?"

"I'll make it as tempting as possible for her. She's a thief, Bailey; she won't be able to resist it." But what if she did? What would that mean? It would mean nothing. It would mean that she was, as Bailey suggested, smart enough not to steal from me again.

"We can also make it look like she's embezzling," Bailey offered.

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm not going to have to frame her, darlin'."

"But what if—"

"No," I said emphatically. I might make it easy for Nova to steal from me, but I wasn't going to corrupt myself for the sake of revenge.

"Okay, fine." She threw her hands up. "How are you plannin' to do this? It's risky. We could lose money."

There she went with the we.

"A series of fail-safes are already in place," I explained. "We'll make sure the financial records are accessible to Nova but with a twist—anytime she touches anything, it will leave a neon-blazing digital trail that leads back to her. She'll have rights to transfer funds, and we'll monitor every move she makes."

Bailey nodded slowly, starting to see the picture. "So, we wait for her to take the bait?"

"We have regular audits set up already, and if something is amiss, we'll know," I said, a hard edge creeping into my voice. "And if she's responsible, the trail will lead directly to Nova. She won't have a leg to stand on, and we'll have undeniable proof to put her behind bars."

Bailey smiled, a glint of approval in her eyes. "But, Anson, I ask again, what if she doesn't take the bait?"

I steepled my hands, a cold determination settling over me. "She will."

Bailey reached across the table, placing her hand over mine. "You're sure about this?"

"I'm sure," I replied firmly. "Nova needs to pay for what she did, and this time, she will finally get what she deserves."

"Why do you care so much?" Bailey pursed her lips. "Why, Anson? Do you still have feelings for her?"

I stroked the eight-carat engagement ring she wore, the one she chose. I didn't have my grandma's ring anymore, but even if I did, I wouldn't have given it to Bailey. I didn't probe too deeply as to why that was.

"I do have feelings for Nova, Bailey, and they all have to do with hate and disgust."

Bailey squeezed my hand, a conspiratorial smile spreading across her face. "You know I'm with you always."

"Thanks, darlin'. Now, let's go through the project brief." I looked at my watch. "Nova is going to be here to meet the team. I want you to run the meeting. I'll be there, but you take point."

Her eyes flashed something nasty—reminding me of the spoiled girl she was. "Oh, don't you worry about that."

Poor Nova, I thought smugly; Bailey was going to fuck with her, but good.

A part of me resented that. No one should fuck with Nova but me. I didn't know where this feeling of protectiveness came from. I detested the woman, didn't I?

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