Page 32 of Sex, Lies, & Techy Guys (Love on the Sunshine Coast)

To make matters worse, Tony, the billionaire walks in. No one told us he was going to show up.

He takes over. “I hear we don’t have a secure conviction.”

“Sir, I mean no disrespect but we’re merely presenting the facts.” Kyle hands the thumb drive over. “We’re fairly convinced that Penelope—”

“Stop. I read your statement. You were hired to get information. You didn’t get it. That makes you useless. Do you understand how much money was stolen from me?”

I’ve had it. I bang my fist on the table. “Yes, sir, we do. We are completely aware of how much money was stolen. But we’re also aware that the woman you’re blaming is probably innocent.”

I ball my fists under the table to quell my shakiness. He can’t do this to Penny. I won’t let him, even if it means we’re in a monumental amount of trouble.

“That’s not for you to decide. But why don’t you sit here in case we have any questions when we offer her and her lawyer the plea deal.”

Kyle and I exchange glances. This can’t be happening. “It’s imperative that we remain anonymous. We should—”

There’s a knock on the open door a split second before a man in a suit extends his arm, motioning for Penny to enter.

How did Penelope Fournier become Penny Anderson?

How fucked are we?

Her eyes go wide as her gaze lands on Kyle and me.

Confusion shifts to pain and my heart shatters at her horrified expression.

CHAPTER 15

penny

Believing my ex, Victor, crafted this whole scam, framed me, then divorced me and skipped town with a shit-ton of money was bad enough. Leaving me to be screwed by an irate billionaire took it to a whole new level. And now, stepping into the conference room where Lance and Kyle stare back at me from the prosecution’s side of the table, I’m numb.

How foolish have I been? Rushing into a relationship? Believing I could fall in love again?

Why? My heart sinks with the weight of what they’d been working so hard to prove over the last week. Under my own roof. All of my warm meals filling their bellies. And that hadn’t been enough. They took from me in the most intimate way.

I can’t move. I can’t continue my steps into the room. Hurt, anger, and betrayal battle inside of me. Do these men know no bounds?

Is it not enough that I gave my heart to Victor, only to have him walk away and leave me with a mess? Why is everyone working so hard to prove this lie? Everything I’ve trusted is ripped out from under me. I can’t breathe.

My lawyer steps beside me. “Can I get you some water?”

I nod because I don’t know what else to do.

He calls out to the receptionist to bring a water then he turns back into the room. “It looks like we need to do introductions. We weren’t expecting guests at this meeting.”

Tony’s lawyer says, “I was meeting with our IT guys. They’ve been doing a bunch of the evidence gathering for us and I figured they might as well stay.”

My eyes shift from Lance to Kyle to the person who had the honor of being the second-most person I despise on the planet, the billionaire. Second of course, only to Victor. If Victor had stolen from someone less able to destroy my life, I would have appreciated it. But still wouldn’t have been able to believe it—he’s a good guy, or I’d thought he was. But in the last few seconds, there’s suddenly a three-way tie for first place. If only I was in good enough humor to appreciate the irony of a three-way. Instead, I’m nauseous.

I bite my tongue to keep from calling them out, reveal that they’ve been sleeping with me. Doesn’t that taint the evidence? But it’s not like they asked me anything about money. The only weird thing, aside from shacking up with two strangers, was that Kyle had taken my mail yesterday.

If I can gather my thoughts, I want to assess what’s going on before revealing their tactics. Or was it a master plan and everyone knows except for me, and probably John Richards. They can’t expect to get away with this.

The click of the door closing heightens my vulnerability. My lawyer pulls a chair out for me and I make a snap decision. I don’t have much going for me. But I will fuck them at their own game if I have to. I’ll let this go to trial then reveal their unscrupulous practices in the courtroom.

A calm façade can’t conceal my nerves. My hands are shaking as I try to open my water bottle.

My lawyer leans over and say with a hushed voice, “It’s okay. It’s going to go just like we talked about on the phone. They’re offering a plea deal.”

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