Page 103 of Desperate Actions

I nod too quickly.

“Yeah. Yep. I’m good.”

But my heart is racing, hammering so hard I swear it’s shaking the entire table.

I wonder if he can see it.

If he knows.

Knows that I love him.

Knows that I have always loved him.

And the real question?

What will Sammy do with that knowledge?

Because some men don’t know what to do with love.

Some reject it.

Some fear it.

Some don’t want messy emotions, complicated truths, the vulnerability of being completely and utterly claimed.

What kind of man is Sammy?

What will he do when he finally understands what’s in my heart?

I barely touch my food.

Not because it’s not good—it’s incredible—but because I can’t concentrate.

I feel restless.

Like I’m holding something inside my chest that’s about to break open.

But then Andres speaks, and suddenly, my mind is on a whole new track.

“Aella, how’s the app coming?”

My head snaps up.

“The app?” I blink. “You know aboutReadEase?”

“Of course. When Sammy brought it up at our board meeting, we were all instantly taken with your idea to create an app specifically designed to aid people living with dyslexia.”

I feel warmth spread through me.

And then—confusion.

“What do you mean when Sammy brought it up? Why were you at a Volkov Industries board meeting?”

I turn to my husband and his lips press together.

“Because I’m on the board.”

“What?”