Page 63 of So Close

I push back from the table, my chair legs scraping like nails on a chalkboard. The siren passes just below the window and deafens.

Is Kane working to save the company? Is his focus still on Baharan? Have I misjudged him? I certainly haven’t misjudged how he looks at her unless it’s all an act. Gaining her trust would be the smartest and most expeditious way to resolve this. Is that why he took her away? Is he building a rapport to gain the information he needs?

His choice is between Baharan and whatever-her-name-is. Which will he choose? Or is he working to keep them both?

I move to the window and look down at the narrow street below. The traffic prevents the ambulance from moving any faster than a crawl. Someone is waiting for help somewhere in the city, and it will be some time before it arrives. Perhaps it will come too late.

Baharan cannot wait until it’s too late.

I start thinking about how I can raise the money to pay Lily back and send her away with her troubles. I haven’t a clue how to pull off a buyout of this magnitude, but if I can manage it, Kane won’t have the majority any longer. I just have to make sure that no other single board member steps in and takes it over. I’ll confide in Ryan. Kane is his friend; he’ll never do anything to hurt him, and he’ll make sure we handle this in a way that’s best for my family.

My growing hatred for Kane settles my nerves and gives me strength. He should be the one coming up with the money. He could simply sign over the penthouse to his pseudo-wife, and that would probably be enough. He could even institutionalize her – for her own good, of course. Having researched Dr. Goldstein, including watching his video lectures on YouTube, I’m sure he would zealously argue the benefits of committing her. Lily and Amy could be locked up together and keep each other company.

Instead, we’ll have to rely on the loyalty of friends to hold on to Baharan. I need to get everything in place, then sit down with Lily and get rid of her.

Prescott reaches around me and pulls down the window sash, marginally lessening the din.

I glance at him. I’m vibrating with vicious energy that needs an outlet. “There’s a hotel up the street.”

His brows raise. I see the moment he understands the invitation. “I’m married.”

“Congratulations. The offer stands.”

“It’s a flattering offer, but I love my husband, and I don’t cheat.”

“Ah.” I move around him to retrieve my clutch. “A pity.”

“Should I assume you’ve decided against continuing the investigation?”

I pause, considering.

He crosses his arms. “Ms. Armand, you’re clearly a formidable woman used to getting what she wants, but I urge you to let your son manage this. The woman you know as Lily has been ably protecting herself for years in ways that imply a high threat level. Whatever you think you can leverage is unlikely to exceed what she’s deftly avoided so far. You’re quite frankly not in her league.”

“I appreciate your candor, Mr. Prescott. Can you tell me the full value of the LLC’s assets when my son inherited them?”

“She leased the properties she resided in and her cars. As for bank accounts, I can’t access prior statements, only the assets in their accounts now.”

“I guess I’ll just have to ask her.” I turn toward the glass door, and he nimbly outsteps me and opens it. “It really is a pity,” I tell him again.

I hurry through the row of desks to the exit, anxious to get a failsafe in place.

34

LILY

I standon the beach in Greenwich, drenched in sunlight, the warmth and light of the morning sun glittering off the undulating waves of Long Island Sound. Goosebumps spread across my bare arms and legs. The chill originates inside me, then radiates outward.

Of all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, exchanging marriage vows has revealed itself to be the worst. How could I have failed to see the monster inside you?

That’s a lie. I knew it was there. I took comfort from it, knowing it slept nearby, protective and fierce. My failure was believing that your love would prevent that beast from turning on me.

I wasn’t taught to believe in fairy tales. I was raised to understand that Prince Charming is the costume worn by the beast. There are no castles on high, no knights in shining armor. Planting roots is for the uninspired. Relationships are for those too weak to stand alone. But here I am, wearing a thin gold band on my finger. And now someone must die.

I’m not blind anymore. I know what I must do.

Brine licks at my toes, as soothing and stimulating as a lover’s caress. Something deep within me surfaces in response – something that seeks to escape.

A shiver wracks my body. Our argument circles in my mind in an infinite loop. Your sibilant voice, the fire in your eyes. Your temper, always quick to flare, raging out of control.

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