Page 76 of Crude Heir

“I don’t work for Kelly, Simon,” Bill reminds him.

“That’s okay, Bill,” Keith interrupts, “Neither does Simon.”

“Bastard,” Simon mutters, glaring at Keith. His bottom lip sticks out and I’d swear he’s about to burst into tears.

Did he really think he could continue as CFO of the company once his secret came out?

“And if you do anything toward this young lady,” Keith says in a hardened voice. “You will regret it.”

“The only ones that will regret anything are those two.” He lifts his chin, indicating us. “Just wait and see.”

Chapter 29

Nicole

It’s over.The words echo in my head. Part of me just wants to turn and run away despite the threat of punishment echoing in my mind. If I had any strength left, I’d try.

“Nicole.” Derrick’s voice, laced with concern, reaches me from a distance.

It’s over.My life and everything dear to me…Derrick. Tears burn my eyes. Derrick is holding me, that much I’m sure of, but the ringing in my ears is deafening.

“Bring her over here.” Elena’s voice filters through the haze.

I’m weightless… No, it’s Derrick. He’s carrying me again. I blink, forcing myself to focus as he sets me down on a couch. It’s buttery-soft texture under my palm is a small comfort.

Derrick hovers over me. “Baby, are you okay?” His voice, although concerned, is clearer now.

“Give her some air,” Elena instructs, firm yet gentle.

Reluctantly, Derrick leans back without saying a word. I feel a pang of loss as he retreats. These last few days are more than I could have anticipated, maybe more than I deserve.

He brings my hand up to his face, that face etched with worry. “Nicole,” he whispers.

“I’m okay.” My voice sounds distant even to myself. “I thought I was prepared for this.” I thought I’d gone through every emotion when I left his apartment yesterday. But that was a private moment, just the two of us.

“What did he mean, that Nicole is dead?” Addler asks, his presence looming before me.

Derrick turns back to me, his gaze searching for an answer. He’s silently asking if it’s okay to share what I’ve told him.

A lump sits at my throat, growing bigger, threatening to overwhelm me. I lick my lips, needing the extra second to compose myself. There’s nowhere to hide, and, with Addler’s big body blocking the way to the door, nowhere for me to run. I may as well let them know.

I nod slowly. “Go ahead and tell them.”

Derrick takes a breath then shares my secret. The group listens intently. In the three years I’ve known, I haven’t dared tell anyone, afraid something would happen, and the world would come crashing down around me. Now a whole room full of people know and surprisingly, the weight of the admission lifts off my shoulders, leaving me battered, but no worse for wear.

I swallow hard. “I’ve been half expecting someone to show up to get me.” I press my lids closed, needing to clear the tears threatening to spill over. “I’m as ready to go as I’ll ever be.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” His grip tightens on my hand. “I told you, you’re mine. I meant it then and I mean it now.” Derrick’s eyes blaze with fierce protectiveness.

For so long, I’ve felt adrift, alone. But this moment brings a sense of belonging fighting to the surface. I know it can be fleeting, so I hold on to it as tight as I can.

“Let me check on something.” Addler steps back, fishing his phone out of his pocket.

“Is there any way to find out about your family?” Elena inquires, with a bit of compassion.

“I don’t have any more information on my background than what my grandmother told me.”

“Her parents came from Central America,” Derrick supplies. “They could have picked her up anywhere along the way.”

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