“I’ll come and find you later,” he says. “Be safe.”
I offer him a sad smile. “You, too.”
After walking me to the library, he disappears. I select a book at random, retrieve the blanket I left draped over the armchair, and cozy up by the fire. After tucking my legs under me, I crack the book open and stare at the page.
The flames leap and dance, casting shadows across the walls.
I read the same paragraph five times and sigh.
With a frown, I snap the book shut.
It’s not too late to call this off.
I know Mason will do what it takes to keep us safe, but I don’t want it to be at the expense of his legacy.
I also don’t want him to resent me for making him choose.
I’m still staring at the fire as if it holds all the answers when Olivia finds me, carrying a tray with sandwiches, chocolate, and tea. She sets the tray down on the table in the middle and fills up a plate. She hands it to me, and I nibble on the crust of a cucumber sandwich, but it tastes like ash.
“I did it.”
I stop chewing and look at her. “Did what?”
“I got a meeting with Michael.”
I do my best to set down my plate calmly. “And?”
Her expression falls. “I’m sorry, London. I thought I could get through to him. We were in love once, and I… stupidly thought it still meant something.”
I reach for her hand, disappointment coursing through me. “I’m sorry.”
She covers my hand with hers. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I wanted to do this for Mason, for the family… for the baby.”
I pat her hand. “You tried.”
Olivia stands up. “There’s one more thing I haven’t tried. Michael and I… when we were together, I wasn’t sure he was serious about me, and I kept pushing him away. He wanted to prove his feelings for me, so he broke into his father’s office.”
“He gave you something?”
“He stole a ledger full of names and numbers,” Olivia whispers. “Most of that information is probably obsolete, but it could be worth something, right?”
Slowly, I rise to my feet, a small kernel of hope blossoming within me. “Yes, but are you sure you want to do this?”
Whatever else was happening, they had loved each other.
Using that information now meant there was no going back for either of them.
I’m not sure if it’s a price Olivia is willing to pay.
Olivia nods. “I’m sure. If I don’t do this, it’s only a matter of time before things escalate. Where are you going?”
“To get Mason. He’ll figure out how to—”
Olivia’s hand closes around my wrist. “No, you can’t. If we tell Mason and word gets back to them, we’ll lose our advantage.”
I look from her hand to her face and back again. “We have to tell him.”
“There are too many eyes and ears on him, London. You know that as well as I do. This might be the only ace we have up our sleeves.”
