Page 104 of The Truths We Find

“You’ve been watching it, you sick fuck?” I yell.

“Well, duh.” He shrugs. “It’s not like I got much of the real thing from her.”

Can I please punch him now?

Dani steps away from me, closing the distance between her and Sam. “So let me get this straight,” she snaps. “You illegally recorded Gavin and me having sex ten years ago, threatened him with posting it online if he didn’t break up with me, and now you’re threatening me with posting it online if I don’t get back together with you?”

“I never said you were dumb, Dani,” he says with a sly grin, clearly enjoying this.

“How did Tate convince you to work for him?”

“The cash,” Sam says, as if it’s no big deal. “It was a lot of money. Couldn’t say no. Plus, he promised me I could stay here with you. Easy choice.”

“No,” Dani spits. “You don’t get to blame this on me.”

I step forward instinctively, but she holds up her hand, stopping me.

“You did all of this for you, Sam,” she says, turning back to him. “Making the video, working for Tate, everything. You did it because you’re selfish and wanted something you couldn’t have. I just wish I’d seen who you really were sooner.”

Then, without hesitation, she steps back to my side, intertwining her fingers with mine.

Sam glances down at our joined hands, his smug expression faltering for just a moment, before he lifts his head and sneers. “Sounds like you’ve made your choice, then.” He turns to leave. “I’m really going to enjoy making bank off your pussy.”

I launch forward, ready to chase him, but Dani’s hands clamp over my arm, holding me back. “Gavin, don’t. Trust me.”

“Dani! You can’t be okay with this?” I growl, tension coursing through every ounce of me.

“Give it a minute,” she pleads. The trust we’ve built over the last several months eases the tight knot sitting in my chest—just enough to let reason take over before I do something I’ll regret.

That’s when I hear sirens in the distance, the sound growing louder and louder.

Police cars and unmarked vehicles skid into the lot, lights flashing red and blue, as they surround Sam before he even has a chance to move any farther.

“What the hell?” he yells, panic finally cracking on his face.

Dani steps forward, pulling her phone from her jacket pocket, her fingers steady as she holds it up. On the screen is a connected call with Agent Russo. “Like you said Sam—I’m not dumb,” she says calmly.

Sam’s jaw clenches.

My chest tightens with pride. This woman is incredible. I pull her into a fierce, quick kiss. “Whoever calls you that has to deal with me,” I whisper. “Damn, I love you.”

The commotion draws a crowd from inside the building. People start spilling out, staring and pointing.

I immediately go into work mode. “Someone get Alexa! Find Phil in the photographer room! Tell him to grab his gear. Now!”

People scatter, calling out Alexa’s name. My eyes dart to Dani. She’s already filming Sam’s arrest on her phone, her grin growing wider with every second. Relief washes over me seeing that man finally in cuffs after ten long years. It’s been a decade of anger… and now, justice is finally here. I can see the tension in Dani’s shoulders relax just a fraction, and my chest lightens even more.

Alexa and Phil burst from the building, camera at the ready. Phil takes over recording, capturing every second, while I walk with Dani over to Agent Russo, keeping her close.

“Smart idea calling me like that.” He nods.

“Thanks for coming,” she sighs, finally letting a little of the tension drain from her body. “For a minute there, I thought you wouldn’t.”

“Sorry about that. Traffic.” He shrugs, though a small smirk plays at his lips.

I snort. “Really?”

He grins. “Eh, whatcha gonna do?”