Page 100 of Wrecked
I look back at Nathan, my eyes pleading with him for a way out of this.
“Why don’t we reschedule for tomorrow night?Katie’shad a long day, anyway.” I love him for emphasizing my name. Nathaniel refuses to call me anything but Kate.
“I drove several hours to celebrate your engagementtonight, Nathan. I have a firm to run tomorrow.”
I see the anger building in Nathan’s eyes and hate that I am putting him in such an awkward position. “It’s fine, babe…We will go to dinner without you.” I stand on my toes and give him a chaste kiss, sending a silent prayer to whatever God is looking out for me.
Nathanieland I drive separately to the restaurant, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I live closer to where we are eating, so I used it as an excuse to drive straight home after dinner.
We meet inside the lobby of the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant and are taken to our seats immediately. I thank the hostess when she hands out menus, Nathaniel says nothing.
“My son is not here, so I am going to cut to the chase, Kate.”
Warning bells ring in my head, and I look around as if I am about to be attacked in public by the man in front of me.
Ridiculous.
“Okay?” I respond, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
“You are marrying my son. Which means you are going to work for my firm,” he commands as if there is to be no argument.
No. Absolutely not. I have enough of that happening in my life as is.
“I’ve already committed to Stokes & Baros, and I’m enjoying my position there,” I say with far too much venom in my voice. Ifeel like I am losing control over my life—again—and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
“Kate. Let’s not pretend like I don’t knowwhyyou committed to Apollo Baros.”
My breath catches. No. This is not happening.
“The thing is, dear…you have far more to lose if you say no to me. An exposure like this could ruin your career before it even takes off. You are marrying into my family. This means you will work for my firm. I can handle any sort of…disagreement from Apollo and Angelo, but if you need a little more persuasion…” He slams a file on the table in front of me. I pick it up with shaky hands.
“Wha-what’s this?” I stutter.
“Those are records of your stepfather embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from Brewer incorporated. In your sister’s name. With your sister’s signature.”
I grab the file and immediately start thumbing through all of the accounts. They are dated backseveralyears, but the evidence is damning. I know Ellie didn’t do this, but there is no tangible way for me to prove that. Not right now anyway. I need to get home. I need to subpoena Chris…and Brewer Incorporated…and…
“I’m not going to go after your sister, Kate. There is no need to be dramatic. We are just having a conversation.”
“What do you want?” I whisper. I already know this isn’t going to end well for me.
“You already know what I want. I told you before this needed to turn into these…theatrics.”
“Fine. I will come work for your firm.” How I’m going to tell Angelo Stokes this news is a problem for another day.
“Happy to hear, my sweet daughter-in-law.” He slides another folder toward me. “First order of business, I need you to deliver this to the person on that envelope.”
I grab the folder and leaf through the delivery information. “Nathaniel…this…this is going to a defense witness on a case that you are prosecuting. Whatever this is needs to be assessed and delivered through the courts.” I start to slide the folder back toward Nathaniel, but he slaps his hand on top, stopping its progress.
“The first thing you need to know about working for me, is that you don’t question my orders. Ever.”
CHAPTER 43
ELLIE (2 MONTHS ON THE ISLAND)
“I’m heading down to the river to fish, baby. Can you collect firewood while you’re out?” Nate calls from outside our shelter.
“Yeah! I’m going down to the beach to feed the fire anyway,” I shout back, tying up my hair and sliding on my flip-flops.
