5 million dollars by tomorrow. Or this photo goes online.
An account number and routing number are printed below. That’s it. No name, no nothing.
Instantly, I’ve got my phone in my hand and I’m dialing Blake.
It rings and rings, and I know why. He’s playing games with me, just like he said he would.
“Now is not the time, Blake…” I mutter, dialing again.
This time, he answers after the third ring.
“Hey, boss lady, this wasn’t our agreement—”
“Someone knows!” I snap, cutting him off. I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack as I brace myself against the wall.
“Knows? Knows what?”
“Aboutus!”I hiss as the panic takes over. “It’s out there, Blake, someone knows and they’re blackmailing me, and if this gets out my career is over—”
“Calm down,” he tells me, his tone strong and commanding. I should feel insulted, but it’s just what I need right now. His confidence is like an anchor, keeping me from drifting off into a dark, dark ocean of despair. “Take some deep breaths. I’ll be over in twenty.”
He hangs up, and I lean my head back against the wall. My legs are trembling, so I lie down on the floor. The cool marble really helps.
Sure enough, twenty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. I use my phone to unlock it, and Blake steps through, coming right over to me.
He leans down, and his eyes moor me to the moment, forcing me to focus on him and only him.You’re my salvation.
“You came…”
“Of course I came, silly,” he says, giving me the first full, unbridled smile he’s given me. He takes my hand in his and squeezes. “Now tell me what happened.”
I can’t even say it. I just point beside me where the picture and note now lie.
Blake picks them up. I watch his eyes as he examines them. The only hint of a reaction is his eyes narrowing—that’s it. If only I could be like that.
“Who sent this?”
“I–I don’t know,” I stammer. “It was slid under the door. I tried to see who it was, but I—”
“Calm down, Kathryn,” he says, kneeling down and wrapping me in his arms. “Deep breaths. It’ll be all right.”
His words are commands. I obey.
In through the nose, out through the mouth.
Instantly, I start to feel better. My heartrate slows and my adrenaline seems to chill. The vicious cold that had started to tear through my limbs fades, and I relax into Blake’s strong arms.
“What…do I do?” I manage to whimper, trying to push back visions of my company collapsing around me. “Who would do this to me…?”
Blake examines the photo again, scanning it for details. His eyes lock in like lasers—he’s found something.
“What? What is it?”
His lips purse into a dangerous line, and he licks his teeth before responding. “There.” He points. “Recognize anybody?”
I follow his finger. For a second, I see nothing—just a shot through the glass into my office where Blake and I are having our fun…
…but then…
