Once the door shuts behind her, I slump against the desk and try not to fall apart from the onslaught of emotions.Nathan’s laidback behavior and dismissal of my ideas in our early meetings-it all falls into place.
Hiring me wasn’t about fixing his image.
It’s about something far sinister.
And I’m just a front so he can act on it without drawing attention.
***
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” comments Nathan after picking me up from the office. “Everything okay, angel? Still tired from the trip?”
The memories cause my heart to ache harrowingly. I want to go back to how things were yesterday. When I didn’t know of his deception.
I don’t look away from the window as I reply, “Catching up with work was hectic.”
The heat of his gaze warms my profile as though he can sense I’m lying.
“Can we stay at my place tonight?” I ask. I want to be in my sanctuary when I confront him.
My chin is captured between his fingers, and he forces my face toward him. Flitting his concerned gaze all over my face, he quietly demands, “What’s bothering you, Ari? You’re not acting like yourself. Did anything happen at work?”
His worry for me is like a dagger in my heart. The more he talks so caringly, the harder it twists inside my ribcage. I give up the pretense, muttering, “Let’s talk when we get home.”
His face falls, eyebrows furrowing. “HaveIdone something to upset you?”
“You tell me, Nathan.” There’s an angry bite to my tone.
Staring at me for a tense beat, a shutter goes down on his expression. Releasing me, he turns back to the road and speeds up the car. “I’ll take you home.”
A lump forms in my throat. Tears burn my eyes as I’m unable to look away from him. He doesn’t spare me a glance during the entire ride to my building.
As soon as he parks, I don’t wait for him and tug off the seatbelt. Wrenching open the door, I slip out and stomp toward the lobby.
“Dammit, Ari. Wait!”
I speed walk to the elevators and stab the call button. Nathan is hot on my heels, covering up the distance with long steps. Taking my elbow, he pulls me inside the elevator and presses for my floor.
I yank my arm from his grip.
“Angel,” he placatingly says.
My lips stay shut.
The car arrives on my floor. I briskly stride to my apartment, unlock it and cross the threshold. As soon as he shuts the front door, I whirl on him and hiss, “I thought we were done with secrets.”
“We are.”
“You’re lying!” I yell. My purse hits the floor. “You have from the day we met. Nobody is after you. It’syouwho leaked the engagement was fake and texts to the press.”
He stiffens, his face turning ashen instead of denying it.
An ugly sob bursts out of my lips. “Oh my god. I’m such an idiot.”
“No, angel,” he murmurs, shaking his head.
“Why would you do it? Were you ever going to tell me or keep letting me run on a goose chase? I’ve been worried sick, trying to catch the person actively trying to ruin you and all this time, it was you all along.”
Regret pierces his broody features. “I was going to tell you, Ari. You have to believe me. I was waiting for the right time.”
