Page 177 of Fiery Romance

She rises elegantly too. The money remains on the table.

“Believe it or not, this is the merciful route. What I’m going to do if you don’t join hands with me is much worse.”

Every muscle in my body pulls tight at the threat. I try to hide my unease, but it must shine on my face because her smile gets bigger.

She presses her hands on the table and leans toward me. “What I have in my purse is a thumb drive detailing Clay’s takeover of your bank and the threats he made to force you to watch Regan.”

“You’re lying,” I stammer.

“Why would I lie?”

My eyes bulge when she taps her purse.

I make a low, anxious sound.

“Island, Island, Island. I don’t think you’re as smart as you pretend to be.” She looks me up and down. “Do you really believe that what Clay did to you was romantic? You’re his victim, not his lover. Now, thanks to you, I have evidence that Clay is dangerous, controlling and manipulative. These are grounds for a criminal charge. And what judge would leave a criminal with his son?”

“You are despicable,” I hiss.

“Testify for me.” She makes a ‘poof’ motion. “Then the criminal charges all go away. We work it out between me and him. I take Abe. He takes Regan. We go home happy.”

I swivel my chair away and face the wall, my chest heaving.

Genevieve taps her nail on the desk. “You have three days to make a decision. Call me. Or I’ll call the police. And at that point, there won’t be anything you can do to prevent Clay’s downfall.”

* * *

“Is it true?”I hiss into the phone.

Sid blows out a breath. “Yes, I did speak to Mr. Bolton about paying off your debt and he did reject it. He also made me swear that I wouldn’t tell you.”

I sink into my chair, barely able to keep my head up.

“Island?” Porter’s voice squeaks through the phone. “Island are you still there?”

I exhale angrily. Genevieve rushed into my office like a storm and left devastation in her wake.

But Clay…

I still don’t understand. Why would he continue to manipulate me when he had no reason to? Was it just to control me? To own me?

I’m torn between fury at Clay and utter confusion about what to do next.

Genevieve made herself very clear.

I am Clay’s biggest weakness.

One way or another, she will use me to bring him to his knees.

For the kids’ sake, isn’t it better that I intervene so the damage isn’t severe?

I groan and rub the heel of my hand against my cheeks, wishing I could dump that conversation from my mind entirely.

There’s a knock on the door.

Amy pokes her head in. “You seem really stressed and I hate to multiply it, but the printers just called. They’re finished with the banners and they want you to verify.”

“I’m coming,” I say shakily.

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