Page 26 of Daddy's Naughty Realtor

“Why not do it a different way? Move money around?”

“He uses the money for gambling. His addiction has cost the company every dollar. The IRS sent notice of an upcoming audit. The figures have changed drastically over the last several years.”

My mind races, connecting dots I hadn't seen before. The Richardson break-in. The timing. Richard's insistence that I handle the aftermath alone.

"So what, you're buying the company to... what? Protect me?" The idea is absurd. "You don't spend millions on a real estate firm just for that."

"Don't I?" His eyes hold mine, intensity radiating from him. "What would you do, Gina, if someone you love was in danger? If you had the means to protect them, no matter the cost?"

Love.

The word hangs between us, impossible to ignore.

"You can't just throw money at every problem," I say, because it's easier than addressing what he just admitted. "You can't control everything, everyone in my life?—"

"I'm not trying to control you." He steps closer, and this time I don't back away. "I'm trying to keep you safe. To give you a future where you don't have to be afraid."

"By going behind my back?" My anger hasn't fully subsided, though it's softened at the edges. "By making decisions about my life without consulting me?"

"I was going to tell you everything. Tonight, actually." He sighs. "I wanted all the facts first. I wanted to be sure. I was waiting on the video footage from the private investigator. We set up a sting of sorts. My investigator went undercover at the high stakes poker game Richard has been playing with some very wealthy men in town. After a few bourbons, he confessed everything. I wanted to tell you, with the evidence in hand. I don’t know how the paper got wind of the deal…"

I search his face, looking for deception, manipulation, the signs I've trained myself to spot in two decades of dealing with clients who lie about what they can afford, sellers who hide property defects.

All I see is sincerity. Concern. And yes, love.

Still, I can't quite let it go. "You should have told me. We're supposed to be..."

"What?" he prompts when I don't finish. "What are we supposed to be, Gina?"

It's the question I've been avoiding since he walked back into my life. What are we? What do I want us to be?

"Partners," I say finally. "If this is going to work—whatever this is between us—we need to be equals. No secrets. No behind-the-scenes maneuvers. You tell me everything, even if you think it will upset me. Especially then."

The tension in his shoulders eases slightly. "Agreed. We should always be open and honest, with no secrets." He reaches for my hand, and this time I let him take it. "I'm sorry. I should have told you my suspicions as soon as I had them."

"Yes, you should have." But I squeeze his hand anyway, the anger draining out of me. "So, what happens now? With Elite?"

"That's up to you." He lifts my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "If you want me to walk away from the deal, I will. If you want to stay and help me fix the issues, you can. Or..." He hesitates.

"Or what?"

"Or you could strike out on your own. Start your own firm. I'd back you completely; financially, professionally, however you needed. No strings attached."

"Why would you do that?" I ask, genuinely curious.

His smile is gentle. "Because I believe in you. Because you're the most capable person I've ever known. Because I want you to have everything you've ever wanted."

"Everything?" I echo, a new kind of tension building between us.

"Everything," he confirms, his voice dropping to that register that makes my skin tingle. "Starting with me."

It's as close to a declaration as we've come. My heart hammers against my ribs, years of caution warring with the undeniable truth of what I feel for this man.

"I think," I say slowly, "that I'd like to discuss this further. Tonight. At your place."

His eyes darken with understanding. “We will be discussing a lot of things tonight at my place, kitten. Dinner at six?”

I nod, though we both know dinner is the last thing on either of our minds. "I'll be there."

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