Page 29 of Falling for Mr. Ruthless
"Fewer." He takes a sip of his wine. "Only three people had the specific system permissions needed for this type of breach."
"And they are?"
"Tyson Smith, my head of security, and—" He hesitates, something flickering across his face too quickly to read.
"And?" I press.
"Megan Ardano."
Megan Ardano. Jakob’s co-founder. His partner. The woman whispered about in financial circles as the one who got away—professionally, and maybe personally.
We never clicked. Not because of anything said, but because she decided early on that I didn’t belong. Cold civility. Avoided eye contact. I stopped trying long before I understood why she resented me.
"Collins has been with me for eight years. He's vetted at the highest level."
"So it's Megan." I tilt my head, studying him. "Why would she target me specifically? You always kept our family life separate from your business.”
A shadow passes across his face. "It's complicated."
“Don’t worry. I can keep up.”
He stands abruptly, taking his empty plate to the kitchen. Running from the question. It's so unlike the Jakob I've come to know again these past two weeks—the man who faces every challenge head-on—that it stops me cold.
I follow him, wine glass in hand, determined not to let him evade. "Jakob."
He doesn't turn from the sink where he's rinsing dishes with unnecessary focus. "It's getting late. We should call it a night."
"No. You don't get to do that. Not when my career is on the line."
His shoulders tense, hands stilling under the running water. For a long moment, he doesn't move. Doesn't speak. Just stands there, water flowing over his hands like he's forgotten it's on.
Finally, he turns off the tap. Turns to face me. "Megan blames you."
"For what?"
"For her exit from Novare." His eyes meet mine. Something guarded in their depths. "She believes if you hadn't been in the picture, things would have gone differently."
The explanation rings false—or at least, incomplete. "That doesn't make sense. We divorced four years ago. Why target me now?"
"The White Glove Pivot." He leans back against the counter, arms crossed. "It's the culmination of everything we built. Her final chance to disrupt what she couldn't control."
I study him—the slight tension in his jaw, the careful neutrality of his expression. He's hiding something. Protecting something. The realization ignites a flare of anger in my chest.
"You're not telling me everything."
"No," he admits, surprising me with the honesty. "I'm not."
"Why?"
"Because some truths cause more damage than they resolve." His voice drops lower. "Because some things are better left buried."
"Not when they're affecting my life." I step closer, anger making me bold.
"I won't let that happen." The intensity in his voice stops me. "I've already implemented countermeasures. Enhanced security protocols. Digital tripwires. If Megan makes another move, we'll know."
"That's not enough, Jakob." I hold his gaze, refusing to back down. "I need to know what I'm up against. All of it."
For a moment, I think he's going to tell me. Going to finally give me the truth I've been seeking since the day divorce papers arrived without warning.
