Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“Yes?” My dad and I say at the same time. This time he does laugh. “This is my girl,” he tells the nurse proudly. “Youngest recipient of the Avicennius grant. CEO of a top research firm at only twenty-five years old.”
“You must be so proud,” the nurse coos.
I force a smile to my face. I used to love when my dad talked about me this way. But now I want to make him look in my eyes as I ask: Am I just a sum of my achievements? Will you ever see the real me?
No one knows you like I know you, Logan told me. Is this what he meant?
“—time for your medication,” the nurse is saying. “Maybe your daughter could come back tomorrow?”
“Of course,” I rise, leaning down to kiss my dad’s cheek. “I’ll be back.”
“Daphne,” he fumbles with my hand. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” Even if I’m no longer going to live to please you.
Rachel is waiting in her car to pick me up.
“You’re alive.” She looks relieved, still perfectly put together in a pink skirt suit.
“I’m alive.” The cold surrounds me but I don’t feel it. “I have so much to tell you.”
“I bet. You look good though,” she looks me up and down before turning her attention to the road.
“Thanks. I’ve been sick, actually, but I rested and I’ve never felt better.” It’s true. Being with Logan was like waking from a dream.
“Well, I’m glad you got some time to yourself. I’m sorry I couldn’t hold down the fort better than I did. Things are…really crazy right now.” There are stress lines on her brow I’ve never seen before.
“Is Adam waiting for me?”
“Yes. And the press are mobbing the place. They think there’s a scandal. And—” She bites her lip.
“What is it?”
“The board is still in closed door talks. I think they’re going to vote you out. I’m sorry, I—”
“It’s not your fault,” I tell her firmly. “I shouldn't have bailed like that. But I had to.” I briefly outline what I’ve found out about Belladonna, including the secret sale of the patents and my meeting with the man who owns them.
“Logan was my father’s old business partner. They founded Belladonna together, but they had a falling out and went their separate ways. Logan got my dad to sell the patents at a time when Belladonna was struggling. After my mom’s death.”
“Crazy,” Rachel shakes her head.
“You have no idea,” I murmur. Logan did all this under the guise of a different company, one he co-owned with the businessman who willed him the castle. And Logan believes my dad and Adam tried to kill him…
“There’s something you’re not telling me.”
Yeah, all the tantalizing details of my captivity, sexy torture, and first orgasms with the man I’ve always longed for. I hold her gaze, trying not to blush.
Fortunately Rachel is still trying to wrap her head around the details I have told her. “I can’t believe your father sold the patents.”
“It happened after my mother’s death. He was desperate.”
“So what are you going to do? Belladonna’s entire net worth is tied up in those patents. If we don’t have the rights to develop the research—”
“I’ve got it figured out,” I say and she blinks. I’ve never sounded so firm before, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. Belladonna is my company, and I’m going to steer her true. “For the first time in my life, I’m thinking clearly.”
“All right,” Rachel murmurs, her brow furrowing as she approaches our building. She’s right—there are press mobbing the front. I resist the urge to slide down in my seat as we pass them. “I’ll drop you off,” Rachel says as she pulls around back. “Go get ‘em. I’m right behind you.”
“Thanks,” I shoot her a smile and exit the car. My confident stride lasts until I’m almost to the lobby elevators. A tall man is waiting by reception, wearing a greatcoat. My steps slow when he turns. Smooth skin, blond hair sleekly combed back from his model perfect face. Adam Archer.
I wait, but there are no belly flutters. No excitement at seeing Adam. No, I’m disappointed. Even with his scars, Logan outshines Adam’s movie star good looks.
But when Adam sees me, he looks relieved. I feel a twinge of guilt. Weak, but it’s there.
“There you are.” He catches me in his arms. To my shock, he puts his hands on my cheeks and kisses me full on the mouth.
“Adam,” I break away. Guilt totally gone. “What are you doing?” I want to wipe my lips, it feels so wrong to have felt someone’s kiss other than Logan’s.
“It’ll be all right, Daphne. I talked to your father. I know just what to do.”
I scrunch my face, jerking back from Adam. Does he always wear this much cologne?
“Adam, that’s…very kind. But I don’t need—”