Page 26 of Suddenly Desired
“Locked out of your own company,” Nate said with a low whistle. “That’s brutal, even for Michelle.”
“She’s gunning for me — they all are. Well, nearly all of them,” Blake said, his jaw tightening. “Can you help me or not?”
Nate chuckled softly. “Relax. I’ve still got the backdoor. But you know this is risky, right? If they find out I’m involved—”
“They won’t,” Blake interrupted, his tone firm. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Another pause. “Where are you?”
“Library,” Blake said.
Nate snorted. “Classic Fielding. When the world’s burning, hide out with the books.”
Blake rolled his eyes. “Can you come and meet me?”
“Not yet,” Nate said. “I’m in Switzerland, wrapping up a project. I’ll catch the first flight back, but it’ll be a few hours.”
Blake cursed under his breath. “Fine. Text me when you’re in the city. I’ll come to your office.”
“Deal,” Nate said, his tone softening. “But listen, Blake. You’re on thin ice. One wrong move could cost you everything.”
“That seems to be the latest mantra of everyone I know,” Blake said, his voice tight. “But I am not letting them take what I’ve built.”
“That’s the spirit,” Nate said. “All right, I’ll be in touch. And Blake?”
“Yeah?”
“Stay out of trouble. You’re already in deep enough.”
Blake smirked despite himself. “No promises.”
“The girl from the bar, huh?” Nate’s voice carried a smile that Blake didn’t need to see to recognise.
“No comment,” Blake replied.
Nate laughed. “Well, let’s sort out this mess and then you can tell me all about her. I’ll be in touch when I land.”
As the call ended, Blake slipped the phone back into his pocket, his eyes scanning the room. The library was still quiet, but something felt off.
“Trouble in paradise?” a woman’s voice said, cutting the silence like a knife.
Blake’s heart jolted. He turned to see a woman sitting a few tables away, her sharp eyes fixed on him over the rim of her laptop. She was in her late thirties, her sleek black hair pulled into a tight bun.
“I’m sorry?” he said, forcing calm into his voice, while his whole body was screaming at him to run.
The woman tilted her head, her red lips curling into a smirk. “That sounded like a pretty intense call.”
Blake’s pulse raced, but he kept his expression neutral. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea.”
“Do I?” she asked, her tone playful but her eyes sharp.
Blake’s grip on the edge of the table tightened. “Just a work thing. Nothing exciting.”
The woman chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “Right. Well, good luck with that.”
As she returned her focus to her screen, Blake’s instincts screamed at him to move. He stood, gathering his laptop and bag, and headed towards another section of the library. He would find a quieter spot — one of the reading rooms would work.
His mind raced. Who was she? A journalist? Someone working for the board? Or just a nosy library-goer who’d overheard too much?
