“Please bother me,” I almost plead with her. If I have to read one more financial report, my brain might shut down. “Tell me, who do I have to talk to? I have forty minutes till I get to my uncle’s farm.”
When Uncle Ken called, I practically bolted out the door. The past couple of days have felt like walking around with exposed nerves. Every time I get a glimpse of Adam, my lower belly clenches. One touch is enough to set me on fire, my brain fighting a losing battle against my body.
My biggest problem is his unwavering denial of the facts. Something about it gnaws in the back of my head.
Michelle’s keyboard clicks on the other end. “There are rumors Sander is arm-twisting his biggest clients to pay more for components from his Malaysia plant.”
The old geezer. I can’t stand him.“I never even thought about cheating on my wife until I met you.”Prick.
“Isn’t he still under SEC investigation?”
“Yeah.” The tap-tap of her keyboard fills the pause. “I don’t know the details.”
But I do. “Thanks for the heads up,” I chirp, already feeling the rush of excitement running through my veins.
When I let Joseph know about the plan, his answer is doubtful. “You want me to blackmail them into throwing Sanders under the bus?”
“I want you to encourage the board to work in their best interest. Sanders out, and we’ll consider a soft takeover.”
“Your vengeful streak scares me sometimes,” Joseph chuckles. “But it’s too entertaining not to enjoy. Wouldn’t hurt to get their processor plant.”
“It means 30% cheaper processors for all our devices.”
“Vicious and smart. I love it.”
I lean back, smiling to myself. Nothing like orchestrating one of my loudest critics’ downfall before lunch to boost my mood.
Sunbeams breach the thick canopy of trees, spilling onto the narrow, patched road, as we drive in silence. Who else is on my shit list? I have to keep my brain busy; otherwise, it’ll circle back to how easy it was to bend over and let Adam fuck me senseless.
And how much I’d like him to do that again.
“Please remain calm, there’s a car tailing us,” the driver suddenly says, his tone steady and composed. “We’ll lose them.”
My heartbeat spikes. I turn in an instant, knee digging into the backseat, and peer through the black-tinted rear window, hiding behind the headrest. An old sedan behind us drives in the middle of the road, inching closer.
“Drive! Drive! What are you doing?” Panic rattles my voice.
“Too dangerous.” The driver’s answer comes out clipped.
Rocky slope on one side, ravine on the other, we’re stuck.
My lungs seize, sweat trickling down my back. “We can’t turn anywhere!”
“Not yet, ma’am.” His voice is steely, but still steady as he checks the rear-view mirror, frown deepening.
The sedan suddenly lurches forward, swerving toward us, and my ass slips off the backseat. I fall like a sack of potatoes and slam my hip against the door.
Hurts like hell.
My driver swears and slams the gas pedal. “Help is on the way. Stay low, please.”
My fingers tremble on the phone, and it slips from my grasp, landing at my feet. “Shit.” Crouching behind the driver’s seat, my back bounces against the door before I snatch it up and call Carter.
It rings once, then cuts off with an automated text.In a meeting.
I’ll kill him. The next call goes straight to voicemail.
The car swerves again. My breakfast is in serious danger of making a reappearance. I’m gasping on nothing, ears ringing.
