But I welcome the distraction from my own spiraling thoughts. Welcome the way my mind immediately pivots to something infinitely more interesting as my eyes travel leisurely over her body—taking in the tight pencil skirt hugging her curves, the crip white shirt that somehow looks both professional and incredibly fuckable. No apron today.
My mouth waters, cock stiffening as images flash unbidden through my head—her shoved against my desk, that skirt pushed up over her ass, covering the back of her head as I fuck her from behind.
I wave her in, silently dismissing Dhimitër. He scowls but shuts the door behind her, leaving us alone.
My attention shifts back to Katie, who’s hesitating near the door, phone clutched tightly in both hands like it’s a lifeline keeping her grounded. “What brings you here, Katina?”
Her throat works as she swallows, and she finally takes a few steps towards me. “I—I have something to show you. I can’t delay it any longer.”
I immediately know what she wants to talk about. She was supposed to meet the bastard holding her sister hostage and feed him information. But I’d completely forgotten about it, lost as I was in my own pain. Even Elira’s presence hadn’t been enough to pull me out of the darkness.
“Right. Did you get another text from that asshole? When is he demanding you meet him?” After giving it some thought, I’d decided it would be better if I go with her to the meeting. Not visibly, but close enough. That way I can trail his car after she leaves since she can’t risk doing that herself. My heart thuds with anticipation at the thought of finally putting a face to thefucker who sent her into my estate. Once I have a face and name, the rest will be easy.
“No–I mean yes.” She shakes her head, looking flustered. “I did get a text from him yesterday. I was supposed to meet him last night, but I made up an excuse. Told him I couldn’t get away without blowing my cover.” She pauses, jaw tightening as if she’s debating how much to say. “Anyway, that’s not why I’m here.”
I study her with increased interest. “Why are you here then?”
She glances down at her phone, her grip on the device tightening even more until her knuckles turn white. “Yesterday, while everyone was busy with the funeral… I looked around and found?—”
Looked around. “You mean you snooped around?” I interrupt, my spine going rigid. “In my father’s office?”
She hesitates, then nods. “You—you have to see this. It’s important.” She lifts her phone and types something, presumably unlocking it. Then she walks up to me and hands it over. “Swipe left to see the rest,” she murmurs.
I frown as I examine the first entry in what appears to be some kind of ledger, still pissed at her for going throughAtë’s office during his funeral—and at myself for not thinking to lock the goddamn door. It takes a moment for my anger-clouded brain to process what I’m looking at.
Shipment documentation from years ago. Names of workers—dead workers. An attack on one of our storage units last year that we’d attributed to rival families testing our defenses.
It isn't until I’m on my third swipe that I realize what I’m actually reading. This is an old record book aboutmyfamily when we first moved here after my mother's death.
My chest tightens, and I glance up at Katie sharply. “Whatthe hell is this?” But I already know what it is, know what it means.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs, dropping her gaze.
“You’re sorry? Sorry you went through the personal belongings of a dead man the very moment his casket was being lowered six feet into the ground?”
She flinches, then wraps her arms around herself like she’s suddenly cold. “I—I’m sorry I went through his office behind your back. I know how it looks. But listen to me, Roan, please. This isn’t just some random list of accounts or old business records. It belongs to your uncle, Fabian, and it’s a detailed map of every wrong thing he has done to you and Afrim to sabotage your hard work.” She takes a deep breath, rushing forward before I can interrupt. “And there’s more. It ties to my sister. To how I ended up here. There’s no way Fabian doesn’t know I’m here unless?—”
I hold up a hand to stop her, heart racing too fast at her words. Proof of Fabian’s betrayal? Actual, documented proof?
My stomach twists violently, threatening to expel what little I’ve eaten in the last twenty-four hours as I glance down at her phone and read the ledger entries from a new perspective. I’ve had my suspicions about Fabian for a while, but what’s this? His betrayal dates back to a decade ago?
The handwriting had seemed familiar from the first glance, but I’d been too angry to really process it. Now, reading the columns more carefully, I recognize it as Fabian’s distinctive script. And I know these names. These dates.
As I continue reading, I start noticing inconsistencies in the numbers. Accidents that turns out weren’t really accidents at all.
These aren’t mistakes or clerical errors. It’s deliberate, proving my suspicions right.
Secret payouts, diverted shipments, secret meetings with men we don’t deal with. And the dates stretch back years.Before my mother died. I swallow hard, my throat feeling like sandpaper. If Katie found this ledger inAtë’s office, that means my father saw this damning evidence before he died. How did he get this?
I’ll find proof before either you or Lorikeven knows where to look. You’ll see.His confident voice from that day a few weeks ago rings in my head, and my lips part as my heart squeezes with devastating pain.
“Why would you do that?” My voice comes out flat and hard. I'm redirecting my hurt and anger at her because she’s here and he’s not, and I know it’s unfair, but I can’t stop the harsh words from spilling out. “Why go throughAtë’s office during his funeral? When his blood is barely dry in his grave.” I lift my eyes to hers, feeling heat crawl up my spine. “Were you trying to go back on our agreement? Still planning to work with that idiot holding your sister hostage?”
She flinches back like I’ve physically struck her. “No! Of course not.” Her arms cross again, body going stiff with frustrated energy. “Can’t you see what this means? From this ledger alone it’s obvious your uncle Fabian is the one responsible for all this—maybe even the one holding my sister hostage. Because how the hell else would he know I was being sent here?”
She’s right. Goddammit, she’s right. I hate that she’s right. Fabian’s actions have never quite matched his words. The inconsistencies. The convenient timing. The way he’s always positioned himself just close enough to know everything but far enough away to avoid direct blame.
And truthfully, my anger at myself is even greater than my anger at Katie. I’m just lashing out at her because it’s easier than facing the truth.I should never have brought my concerns to Atë.What if this information is what hurled him into his grave? What if—I shake my head forcefully. There’s no point dwelling on the what-ifs now. This is the new reality.
