Page 44 of Crude Heir

I have one last second of seeing her as the beautiful, innocent woman I spent the night with. Then she loses the soft smile, and her expression becomes guarded. She knows something’s up.

“Derrick?” She brings her hand down, releasing her hair. She squares her shoulders and straightens her back, looking all business. “What’s wrong?”

I stare at her, up and down, astonished at how quickly she’s turned back into the unassuming woman I see every day at the office.

She played me for a fool. What else did I miss? What else is lost in the fog of lust? Goddamn, how could I have another woman lying to my face without me knowing?

“Who the hell are you?” I demand, the words honed to a sharp edge from anger born of betrayal.

* * *

Nicole

I draw in one shaky breath after another.Stay calm. He can’t be asking what I think he’s asking. No matter what, don’t freak out. Not again.

I don’t need the memory of having a complete meltdown in front of him to cycle through my mind for the rest of my life. That’s not a story I want to be telling the half dozen cats I’m destined to be living with thirty years from now.

“What do you mean?” I try to keep as calm as possible when I say it.

He takes a step forward. Heart racing, I automatically take a step back. He stops, narrowing his eyes as he assesses me all over again.

I reach out blindly, holding on to the solid wood of the breakfast bar. If ever I needed something substantial to hold onto, it’s now. The guy who played the hero, the one who pulledme out of that dark hole, the one who held me through the night, is gone. In his place is the guy with the cold, hard eyes.

“Derrick…” My heart breaks seeing the man in front of me, losing the man whom I’d just discovered.

“Nicole Fuentes,the realNicole Fuentes, died when she was three.”

Oh Lord, he is asking what I think he’s asking.

“So, who the hell are you?” he demands.

I’ve had nightmares about this moment ever since the woman I called Grandmother confessed to what they had done. But I’d always expected it at a job. I could have never imagined a scenario where my work life and my personal life collided.

I lick my lips, trying my best not to throw up in sheer horror at what might happen. “I’m Nicole,” I insist, a slight tremble in my voice.

“Cut the bullshit and tell me who you are.” He looks ready to bite someone’s head off, and I’m the only target in range.

“I’m Nic—” He steps forward. I step back.

“Are you the one who’s been stealing from Kelly Oil?” His expression turns dark. Every muscle in his body is tense. “Is this just some elaborate plan to buy some time?”

“No.” I shake my head. How could he have jumped straight to that when I’ve spent all that time trying to help? “Please, let me explain.”

“How about I call the cops.” To my horror, he brings up his cell. “They can come sort this out.”

I hold my ground, knowing he’s not going to do it. But his thumb is already punching the first number. The dial tone practically screams out of the earpiece, reaching me across the room.

He can’t…

The next two digits go in quick succession, beep—beep. The sound echoes in my mind. He did it. A part of me has gone numb, unable to process what he’s done.

He moves the phone to his ear while he focuses on me dispassionately. Then, to my horror, I hear the phone ringing loud and clear despite him not having the call on speaker.

Fear rises inside me like a tidal wave. What happens when the police get here? What will they do? Where will they take me? Everything I’ve worked so hard for would be gone. Everything I know as my life would be ripped away.

“Wait!” The words tear from my throat, bringing a wave of emotion. “Stop.” I sob, hoping for a shred of compassion. But Derrick’s eyes are steely, uncaring. I’m out of time. I know deep down inside he isn’t going to let me explain.

Pain explodes in my chest. Through the blur of tears, I see him move. He’s coming for me, and he’s furious.

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