Page 61 of Fierce Secrets

"I don't even care anymore," I continued, surprising myself with the truth of it. The words tasted like freedom on my tongue in a way. Logan was just a shadow of my past, and in the grand scheme of things, his betrayal was nothing now. He was nothing. "Logan showed exactly who he is. I just want to know if you knew."

"Six months." The words burst from her like she couldn't hold them in anymore, her composure cracking as she turned to glare at me, like I was somehow at fault. "We've been seeing each other for six months. He was going to end things with you. Promised me he'd leave you."

The revelation hit hard, and I swallowed as I let it sink in. Six months. Half a year of lies, of betrayal, while I'd been picking out wedding venues and planning our future. All those late nights at the office, the missed dinners, the business trips – how many had been with her?

I blinked, the emptiness now settling over me. So he'd been using me while screwing her. How hadn't I seen it?

No.This wasn't anything to do with me. This was on them. She'd even known about me, known he was engaged, and she'd continued seeing him. Sure, he was no saint, he was the one mostly at fault here, but she wasn't innocent either.

I shook my head at how crazy all of this was. I'd just learned my brother and most recent lover had murdered my father. They'd taken a life. An affair was the least of my worries right now.

The man.

I looked to Roman, knowing I needed to tell him. But whoever he had been, he'd be long gone by now. Besides, I didn't want Shannon knowing a single thing more about my life.

"Do you really want him?" I asked, watching Shannon's perfect mask crack further as I focused on what I could discuss. "A man who cheats? He'll just do the same thing to you." I let out a bitter laugh, knowing the phrase all too well. "'Once a cheater, always a cheater.' But if you want him, he's all yours."

Shannon's perfectly drawn brows pulled together, uncertainty flickering across her face for the first time since we'd come in here.

Good. She was no innocent other woman who didn't know. She deserved it if he turned around and did the same thing to her. He'd deserved what had happened to him too.

The door opened, and the security guard that had restrained me stepped back in. His name tag read 'Raymond' – not that I'd been in any state to notice earlier.

"Would either of you like to press charges?" His eyes landed on me first. "Ms. Cassaro, since Ms. Peters instigated the physical altercation?—"

"That's not—" Shannon started.

"We have it on camera, ma'am," Raymond cut her off firmly.

I looked at Shannon, really looked at her. The fancy clothes, the perfect makeup, the way she held herself like she was better than everyone else. I'd wanted to destroy her, now, I just felt tired, and I had more pressing matters to deal with.

"No," I said quietly. "I just want to head out for the day."

Raymond nodded. "In that case, you're free to go. But you best let your supervisor know that you wish to leave. I'm sure they'll allow it given the circumstances."

"Thanks." I rose and headed for the door, casting one last glance at Shannon, who now looked defeated and uneasy.

She had no sympathy from me.

Roman fell into step beside me as we headed toward the elevator.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Fine." The word felt hollow, my mind reeling about other things now, although the anger at what had happened still simmered at the back.

In the elevator, I turned to Roman. "There was something else. In the coffee shop, before Shannon showed up – a man approached me. He knew about my father, about what happened."

Roman's posture shifted instantly, his expression sharpening. "What did he say exactly?"

"He said they know what really happened to my father. That if no one responds to their demands, everyone will find out the truth." I checked my phone, the corner of my mouth quirking at the text from Sof that she was feeling human. "He said Gray and Leo would go down for what they did."

"I'll check the security feeds," he said, already pulling out his phone. "Did you recognize him?"

"He seemed familiar, but I couldn't place him. Then Shannon came in and..." I gestured vaguely at my still-stinging cheek.

Roman nodded grimly. "This is good information. I'll get onto it. you alert your supervisor that you wish to call out, and I'll take you. I'll wait by the elevator."

"Right, thanks." I nodded, the elevator dinging as we reached my floor. Roman made his call as I headed into the office.

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