Page 66 of Betrayed

Chapter 18

HE TOOK A SEAT BESIDEher again, shooting her an impatient glance when she scooted away. In a much calmer voice, he continued, “I’m afraid Adriana is up to her neck in these dealings.”

“She’s my best friend, she wouldn’t...”

“How did you meet?”

She froze. Surely it was a coincidence. Although she didn’t want to, she admitted, “Derek hired her to help manage my shop.”

Again, he said nothing, letting her draw her own conclusion.

“No, that was years ago.”

“Years for her to dig in deep and for her lies and manipulations to take hold.”

She took a deep breath to deliver her protest, but he raised his hand, cutting her off, and she snapped it shut. “Please try to see the facts for what they are, Mari, without the emotion.”

He held up a key.

“What is that?”

“I found it in your safe.”

“You searched my business and broke into my safe? Is that legal?”

“Yes, we had the appropriate federal warrants. After Adri tried but failed to get in your home safe this past weekend, I wasn’t as inept. I need to know what it goes to.”

“That’s where you went.” Barely audible, her whisper was shaky as the enormity of what he was and what he had done sank in. “I was your urgent business.”

“Chérie, listen—”

“You’ve had me watched,” she accused in disbelief.

“I put you under surveillance for your protection more so than anything. And we have been watching Adri, your other employees, your house, and business when you weren’t there. I’ve been doing what’s necessary to clear your name.”

“Including fucking me.”

The anger flashing in his eyes almost made her turn and run, but she stayed resolute, her back rigid like steel as she stared back at him accusingly, her heart aching. Seconds passed, and he didn’t move, except for the muscle twitching in his jaw.

Finally, when he broke the awkward silence, his voice held an odd yet gentle tone. “You’re not hearing me right now. In the end, when you are exonerated, I hope you see I did everything within my power to clear your name. Let’s focus on that now, shall we?” Again, he held up the key. “Do you know what this goes to?”

She extended her hand for it, palm up, bracing herself against reacting when his warm fingertips brushed her skin. After she examined it, she nodded. “This is to our safe deposit box at First Federal.”

“Get your purse. We’re going to see what was so important that Adriana, your trusted friend, practically ransacked your house to find.”

“I think I’d like to go on my own, Mr. Durand.”

“No fucking way. And if you call me Mr. Durand one more time, I’ll really give you something to be pissed about. Get your purse.”

Silently fuming, she stood and swept her clutch off the floor where she’d dropped it. When, she didn’t have a clue. Struck with one bombshell after another, she wasn’t surprised.

He was waiting at the door for her when she got there and took her hand in his, as solicitous with her as he was before.

“Don’t touch me,” she insisted, trying to jerk it free.

He held firm, refusing to release her. “I will touch you where I want when I want. That hasn’t changed,ma soumise.”

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