C16, PT. 3

“You shouldn’t let Ariana stop you from coming to Christmas,” Lyle said, drawing her wandering attention back to the original, shitty topic.

“I thought things would be different now that Dad’s gone, but it’s the same. History keeps repeating itself over and over.” She sniffled and accepted the tissue he offered. “You don’t agree with Ariana that he would harm the kids, and you’re now doing business with him… That means you trust him to some extent.”

His eyes moved over her face before he said, “I trust him with my money, but not with you. He’s the man you do business with, but don’t want in your family. He’s volatile, unpredictable, and won’t compromise.”

She lifted her chin. “He compromises with me.”

“Then you may be the only person on the planet he’ll cede to.” His expression hardened into grim lines. “He’s playing a dangerous game with people you shouldn’t fuck with. He’s willing to take on the world. I hope you don’t get hurt in the process.”

She didn’t like it any more than Lyle, but she witnessed firsthand the devastation her father’s cronies caused and knew Roth wouldn’t stop. “He’ll protect me.”

He glanced at his watch. “I have a call in five minutes.”

“Then I should leave you to it.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. I really needed to talk to someone after seeing Ari and Roth wasn’t here so…”

“I’m second-best now? I’m offended,” he said flatly, but his eyes were warm and teasing.

“Thanks for letting me know all of New York is watching my every move.”

He got to his feet and gave her another tight hug that she returned with equal fervor.

“I’m proud of you for taking charge of your inheritance. Colette and Ariana have always underestimated you. I never have. Although I still think you should consult Roth, Colette did some research on the companies you chose and according to her, it seems like you’re on the right track.” He pulled back, revealing a broad smile. “She thought Roth was guiding you, though, so she may change her mind when she finds out you made the decision on your own.”

She elbowed him in the stomach. “Not funny.”

“It kind of is,” he said. “Certain stocks are skyrocketing because they think Roth’s behind your decisions.”

She’d been prepared to lose if her investments didn’t pay off, but she had no idea it would be so public. Just thinking about how her financial decisions would be gossiped about and reach the ears of her family and Roth made her ill.

The phone on his desk rang.

“I’ll see you later,” she said as she hurried to the door.

“Minnie.”

She looked back with her hand on the handle.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

Her heart clenched. There was so much she wished she could tell him, so much she wanted to ask, but she couldn’t. She missed the days when she poured her heart out to him, and he told her everything was going to be okay. He couldn’t make such promises now because he couldn’t ensure everything would turn out the way it should, and she wasn’t naive enough to believe him anymore.

I’ve had firsthand experience with true evil. Lyle’s gray at best. What was he hiding? What was the connection between his secret and her? Melancholy swept through her, weighing her down, and making her eyes sting with more tears.

“Is it possible to truly love someone when there’s so much you don’t know about them?” she asked.

He considered her for a long moment before he said, “It’s impossible to know everything there is to know about a person.”

“Then am I loving them or the person I think they are?”

He tensed. “Maybe you were right. Maybe some things should stay buried.”

The reference to the call where she emotionally blackmailed him to back off of Roth made her hand tighten on the cold steel handle. “I’m stronger than you think.”

He inclined his head. “I have no doubt.”

“So is Colette.” She let the silence stretch, watched his open expression harden and then go blank. “I’m going to extend the same invitation. If you ever want to talk…”

“Minnie.”

“I’m here for you,” she said and blew a kiss. “I love you.”

She pushed the door open, aware of Lyle’s gaze on her as she let it soundlessly shut behind her.

Johan approached, eyes locked on her face. “Everything okay?”

“Of course,” she said as she led the way back to the elevator.

Several people in the office greeted her by name, reinforcing Lyle’s warning that she wasn’t gliding under the radar.

Mo was at the curb when they exited the building. Johan waited outside her door until she buckled her seat belt to make sure she wasn’t going to bolt before he got in.

“Where to?”

Mo’s formal tone made her sigh. “The penthouse.” Several minutes passed in silence before she said, “I’m sorry.”

Mo inclined his head, but otherwise didn’t acknowledge her apology.

She pulled out her phone to see if she had any missed calls or texts from Roth, but there was nothing. He knew she’d gone to see Ariana, but wasn’t interested in the outcome? She ran her hands through her hair and tried to ignore the hurt building in her chest. She didn’t expect him to tell her everything, but traveling out of state was worth mentioning. So was the fact that he wasn’t just doing business with her sisters, but now Lyle as well. Was he bothered by Lyle reaching out to get in on a deal? Flattered? Or, was that all part of his plan? To create business ties so he didn’t have to rely on their marriage to count them as allies?

She had ignored the feeling that things were going awry between them because she didn’t understand it. She thought they were finally on the same page, that they were closer than they’d ever been, and then his workdays began to lengthen. He missed a few dinners, but she didn’t think that was such a big deal since her schedule imploded. He’d been quiet and distracted. That was nothing new, but was it because of his work project, as he claimed? The pressure of implementing his plan of revenge on his enemies? Or, was it something else that made him pull back?

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.

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