Page 61 of Confusing Cade
My thoughts flipped and turned. Again, there was something almost cold about the way she spoke to me. Lois had never given me the impression that she was a warm person, but her voice on the phone was almost clinical. It was as if she was completely detached from this conversation and wanted to get it over and done with as soon as she could.
“Um, okay,” I said.If he wants to be businesslike, so will I.“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Lois hung up, and I drove back to my apartment. I could barely concentrate as I drove the familiar streets into my neighborhood. My stomach pulled and tightened as I drew closer to my place.What in the world could this be about?
I changed out of my yoga pants and into a button-down shift dress and a pair of tan sling-backs. Unless he just wanted to see me and thought he had to beprofessionalabout it. That soundedlike the romantic man I’d spent an amazing time in Park City with.
When I arrived, sure Cade had pulled a prank, I was terribly disappointed when I saw him. Cade’s expression was...like stone when Lois showed me into his office. He stood when I arrived, but my stomach lurched when he kept the desk between us instead of crossing the room to hug or kiss me.We’re together, right? We went to Park City. Aren’t I his girlfriend?
Maybe not...
He hadn’t told me so, and we hadn’t discussed the topic. But maybe I’d misread it all, maybe that was the way he acted with all the women he dated. He was a full fifteen years older, and that was more than enough of a gulf between us.
I probably need to understand that.
I sat in the chair across from his desk. “How has today been so far?”
It was a stupid way to open this conversation, but again, I was grasping for ways to figure out what was going on.
Cade waited until Lois closed his office door before he replied. “It’s been an interesting morning.”
“I can imagine.” My reply was thick in my mouth.
He cleared his throat as he drew closer to his desk. “You know, Bella, I work with some of the most talented people in South Florida. I’m lucky to have all of them on my staff.”
I nodded but didn’t speak. It was probably best to let him talk.
“They’ve put their lives on the line for me. Come in on Saturdays. Made connections on my behalf. Done all the heavy lifting required to ensure that we stay ahead of the game in Palm Beach County.”
“I know they have.”
Cade pursed his lips. “So, whenever one of them comes to me with information they say they’ve spent days or weeks puttingtogether, I always give them the benefit of the doubt. I always make sure they know they’re heard and appreciated.”
I cocked my head. “Do you mind telling me what this is about?”
Cade paused for one more moment, then said, “Do you want to tell me about the emails?”
I frowned. “What?”
“The emails, Bella.” His voice was quiet, but there was a hint of something dark and dangerous in every syllable he spoke. “Now is your chance to tell me the truth.”
“Emails?” I shook my head in disbelief a few times. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
“Think. Think hard.”
I did. “I’m still not sure what you mean.”
He sighed. “I have it all right here. My team gave it to me this morning. Whatever you think you’re hiding, it isn’t working.”
I stared at him. “I didn’t write any emails, Cade.”
He blew out a mass of air. “It’s all in there. Every message, every email, every thought, every plan.”
I gaped at him, still stunned.
“You were a plant.”
“Awhat?”
