“I’m not letting you out of my sight until we have better security in place.”
I huff. “If I recall correctly, I’m the one who got you out of that mess and savedyourass. I can take care of myself.”
He sighs. “I know you can. We’ve been over this already. Humor me, Miss Riley. It will soothe my anxiety to know you’re safe.”
I search his eyes. The humor and amusement are gone. There’s only concern remaining, maybe even a little fear.
“Fine.” I concede.
He smiles, big enough that his dimple appears, and I have the stupid urge to keep it there.
“You have to tell Dec,” Ella pleads with me over the phone while I roam the desolate woods behind Owen’s cabin. I caved and called to tell her everything.
“I can’t, Ella. Not yet. I need more evidence than the whistleblower. If I don’t have more, then I risk pulling Regenerative Industries under and, with them, everything Owen’s worked so hard for.”
“This is a fucking mess, Nova.”
“I know. To be honest, I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know what therightthing is to do. I’m supposed to put Owen behind bars, but I’m not so sure he’s the villain in all this.”
She sighs heavily. “Eagan has some info on the second victim. Rape cases. Ten of them. All settled behind the scenes.”
“Shit.”
There’s a long silence while I pace back and forth. My steps are silent beneath the soft bed of pine needles. The smell reminds me of Owen, and my stomach flips at the thought.
Get a grip.
“I’ll give you until the gala, and then I’m going to tell Dec if you haven’t,” Ella says finally.
She’s right. I should tell him. He can help. He’s not just my boss. He’s my friend. So why am I afraid to say anything to him?
“Fine,” I answer at last. “You’re right. I’ll gather what I have, and I’ll tell him.”
“I know you don’t want to know what I think, but I’m gonna tell you anyway. I think you're falling for this guy, and that makes your judgment a little cloudy. I don’t mean that as a criticism. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
I don’t mean to get defensive, but I’m so on edge that I snap. “So you think I should just get the evidence I came for and turn him in and leave the rest?”
Ella takes a deep breath. “No, Nova. I didn’t say that. I want you to be careful. This is too big for one person to handle. You’re attached to him, and I get it. I kind of am, too, knowing what I know now. But you can’t save everyone, and you can’t do it alone.”
“I don’t want to do it alone,” I whisper back.
“Tell Dec.”
I sigh. “I will.”
I find Owen in the kitchen again. He has his shirt off. Of course. Music blares from a speaker in the corner of the kitchen, and he hums along.
He doesn’t notice me right away, and I pull myself up onto the island counter and pluck a blueberry from the bowl and pop it in my mouth. The muscles in his back ripple as he stirs something and moves along with the music.
When he finally turns and notices me, he jumps and clutches his chest. “Fuck, Nora,” he says, breathless.
I can’t help the ruthless smile. “Didn’t want to disturb your hard work.”
He watches my mouth and drops his hand. His gaze narrows. “Or you wanted to enjoy the view for a little while longer.”
I roll my eyes. “Why would I have to sneak a peek when you willingly flaunt yourself every second of every day?” He gapes at me, and I laugh. “Two can play this game, Mr. Mills.”
He shakes his head, putting down the spoon that appears to be covered in tomato sauce. “Once again, you surprise me, Miss Riley.”
