Page 50 of Black Tie Billionaire
Flipping these new revelations over and over in his mind, Gideon returned his attention to Trevor. “You might have tried that argument with Shay, but don’t bother with me. Everything listed in that file is the least of your crimes. We both know who you are, Trevor. We both know what you’recapable of,” he growled. “You used my sister, then tossed her aside like she was something beneath your shoe. No, I take that back. You would’ve at least paused and scraped something off the bottom of your precious loafers. You didn’t even give her that courtesy. And for what? A grudge against me from high school? You broke her, and for you it was business as usual.”
“Like you broke my sister?”Trevor accused. “Eye for an eye? Don’t stand there and preach to me like you’re so self-righteous, when you turned around and did the same thing to Shay. You used her to get back at me. That doesn’t make you the hero in this story.”
“You’re right.”
Trevor’s mouth snapped closed, his eyes flaring in surprise at Gideon’s quick agreement, before narrowing. He was probably wondering what Gideon’sgame was now. But there wasn’t any game. There wasn’t any trickery to slide another point home as if this was a contest to be won.
He’d used Shay. Oh yes, he’d justified it as righting a wrong against Olivia, as protecting future women from being hurt by Trevor. But the truth couldn’t be denied any longer. His actions hadn’t been noble—they’d been selfish, vengeful...and reprehensible. Maybeunforgivable.
Not because of Trevor. He still had zero fucks to give about Trevor. But because he’d dragged an innocent into it. As blameless as Olivia had been in Trevor’s schemes, Shay had been just as blameless. His mother’s warning haunted him, ringing in his head like a premonition that had come to pass. Hehadended up hurting others. And the most important person he’d hurt was Shay.No, he wasn’t Trevor—could never deliberately deceive and devastate someone, then walk away from a child he’d created—but he’d also blackmailed, hurt, then turned his back on the woman he loved.
God.He loved her.
The force of the revelation struck him with the blow of a mallet to the chest. He sank to his chair, staring blindly ahead.
He loved Shay.
Somehow, despite every wall,every barrier and shield he’d thrown up, she’d wedged herself into his heart, his soul. No wonder he’d felt so empty these past days. The one who’d given him life again was gone. Because, yes, she’d resuscitated him, jolting his heart so it beat again. She’d given him more than work to be excited about—she’d given him her quiet humor, her defiance, her wit, her loyalty, her body...her love.
And what had he done? Thrown it back at her like it meant nothing.
Don’t feel guilty, Gideon. I’m used to not being enough for the men in my life.
Pain, razor sharp and searing hot, razed his chest. He gasped at the agony of it. Nothing—absolutely nothing—could be further from the truth. She was more than enough. She waseverything. But he’d been willing to throw away a future with herfor revenge.
“Gideon,” Trevor snapped, hauling Gideon out of the hell he’d plummeted into.
He jerked his head up, blinking. God, he’d forgotten all about this man standing in his office. And now he didn’t have time for him or the vendetta that had brought both of them low. Urgency spiraling through him, Gideon shot to his feet and strode across the room. Removing a large picture from thewall, he revealed the safe behind it and quickly punched in the code to open it. He withdrew the thick, brown file inside, then slammed the safe door shut, not bothering to replace the painting.
“Here.” He marched over to Trevor and shoved the dossier containing all his damning information into the other man’s chest. “Take it. There aren’t any more copies other than the one I gave your sister.”
“What?” Trevor gasped. He clutched the folder, glancing at it before his gaze whipped back to Gideon. “What’s your angle now? You can’t seriously just hand this over to me without wanting something in return.”
Gideon stepped back, shaking his head. “No angle. No ulterior motive. But you’re right. I do want something in return. Or rather, someone. I want Shay. More than that file or revengeagainst you. But that’s for me to fix, not you.”
How he’d go about doing that, he had no clue. Hell, by all rights, she shouldn’t forgive him. But he needed her. He loved her.
And he’d fight to have her. Harder than he’d ever fought to pay back Trevor.
Because winning Shay was more important than any battle he’d ever faced.
