Page 87 of Beyond Question

“Easy,” Cabot says and I whip my head around to look at him.

“Easy?” I scoff.

He shrugs. “Money can buy anything, Ms. Matthews.”

I realize my mouth is hanging open and promptly close it, then shake my head. “I can’t allow you to—”

Travis growls and all heads turn toward him.

“Woman, I swear to god.”

Bronte runs her hand up my arm and I look down at her. “You said you’d let him help.”

I close my eyes. “I know, but… this is too much.”

As if he didn’t hear me, though I know he damn well did, Travis continues. “She’ll stay with me—”

“I’ll do no such thing.” When our eyes meet, there’s more frustration in his than I’ve ever seen. He shakes his head slowly.

“Mom,” Bronte whispers. “You’re not eventrying.”

“Oh for Pete’s sake. Fine.” I throw my hands up and let them fall to my sides. “Youcan stay withme.”

“Fine.” Travis crosses his arms over his chest, then looks at Bronte. “And you can stay here.”

“No,” my daughter and I say in unison. I glance at her and she widens her eyes, so I look back at Travis. “I want Rylan as far away from this as possible.”

‘But—” Rylan’s argument dies off when I shoot her a stern look.

“She can’t go home, Paige,” Travis tries, “she lives alone.”

I ignore the reminder that Travis has probably been to my daughter’s home and press on. “She can stay with me. With us,” I grit out.

“That won’t work,” Cabot says, the reluctance straining his voice. “She’s safest here.”

“But Rylan…” I say. “And the baby.”

“What if Archer doesn’t know about Bronte?” Travis raises his eyebrows. “She can’t be anywhere near you. This is the safest option.”

My shoulders deflate and I plop down to the couch beside Bronte with a sigh. “Shit.”

“Rylan’s safety is my top priority, Paige,” Cabot says, “your daughter will be safe here.”

“What about my job? My life?” I motion to Rylan, then to Bronte. “Theirs? Are we supposed to just hide now?”

Cabot’s nostrils flare and it’s obvious he’s about to tear into me, but then Rylan clears her throat and his features soften. Not much, but enough to notice. “Forgive me, Paige, but I don’t exactly have a plan in place for my fiancée’s boss’ abuser turning up after thirty years and demanding payment for a debt she can’t possibly pay.”

Bronte tenses beside me. “That’s enough.”

Cabot raises his eyebrows, then motions to Travis, who raises his hands in a placating gesture as he focuses on me. “I think you should take a break from work.” His eyes flick to Bronte, then back to me. “Both of you.”

Take a break from work? I’ve never even taken a sick day. “I can’t—”

“Give us a week, Paige, please. That’s all I’m asking. A week to get Cabot’s guys on the ground out there and confirm.”

“A week is minimum,” Mike says without looking up from whatever he’s working on over there.

“I have friends in London,” Cabot adds. “We can use them—”

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