Page 44 of Threaded Lies

“You okay, man? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I realize he’s standing there for the first time. Sure, I heard him talking, but I physically look up and see him standing there.

“I need to make a call. Shut the door on the way out,” I say without room for error. And when I look up and Rhett’s still standing there, I point to the door. “Go.”

You left them in the top drawer of your desk. Not a very safe place to keep something so very important.

My own words about her sapphires come back to me. The top drawer of her desk—a place to put them and hide them from prying eyes.

The same location of the contract in the locked drawer that apparently doesn’t lock.

The same drawer above which she left the box of cuff links.

I should have trusted my gut in this. Should have fucking known.

The minute the door is shut and I know I can’t be heard, I have my phone dialing as my heart thunders in my chest.

She knew all along.

Ring.

She knew and didn’t come to me.

Ring.

She knew and sided with Chad instead of coming to me.

“It’s late, Holden,” Audrey scolds by way of greeting.

“I need you to call for an emergency board meeting tomorrow morning for ten A.M.”

“Tomorrow is a holiday.”

I glance at the calendar. “No, it’s not.”

“In Westmore it is. Founders’ Day, to honor the captains of industry. The Rothschilds. The Williamses. All your favorite people.”

Fucking perfect.

“Call a board meeting. When has a holiday ever stopped me?”

“People might not be in town.”

“They’re in town. No one dared miss the social event of the season,” I say, referring to the engagement party.

“I did,” she says dryly.

“You were the only smart one who didn’t RSVP,” I mutter.

“People might not get the message in time.”

“Then make it for tomorrow afternoon. I don’t care. If they’re not here, they can forfeit their board seat.”

“Can you even do that?”

I shrug, even though she can’t see. “No clue, but the threat will work. These people live for their clout. They wouldn’t risk diminishing it.”

“You’re sure to piss everyone off with this meeting.”