C16, PT. 1

She walked into Apex Asset Management, an investment company that handled over one trillion dollars in assets. Lyle had been working here ever since she’d known him and had quickly risen through the ranks. The office was a glorified man cave. Dim lighting, dark browns and black. As she made her way toward the receptionist, she was surprised when the woman waved at her as if she were a regular. Assuming the woman must have her mixed up with someone else, she paused to ask about Lyle’s availability as the woman put the phone back in the cradle.

“He’s free.”

Jasmine blinked. “Who is?”

The receptionist, who was around her father’s age, gave her a warm smile. “Mr. Caruso, of course. I’d know you anywhere. You’re the spitting image of your gorgeous sister.”

Her eyes widened at that whopper of a lie, but she didn’t bother to contradict her. She was just relieved Lyle was present and able to have a visitor. She waved behind her at whatever security accompanied her. “They’re with me.”

The receptionist nodded kindly and gestured her back to the maze of offices. It had been years since she visited Lyle at work, but she didn’t need to ask for directions, since he still had the same impressive corner office. He stood in the doorway in a crimson dress shirt that complimented his dark complexion. As usual, he wore no tie and the top button was undone.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” he said and opened his arms.

The relief she felt when he hugged her nearly made her break down. This is what she went to Roth’s office for. The kiss Lyle pressed on top of her head made her lips quirk in a sad smile. No matter how old she was, he always treated her like a little girl. Sometimes it irritated her, but on a day like today when her heart was heavy, the gesture was comforting.

“I’m happy you’re free,” she said as he closed the glass door and gestured her to a chair.

“I just got off an hour-long conference call.” He perched on the edge of his desk in front of her. “I always book gaps in case something comes up. What brings you here?”

“I was in the area,” she said with an airy wave of her hand. “I thought I’d drop by to bother you.”

He focused on something above her head. “They go everywhere with you?”

She glanced back to see Johan and an additional guard had taken seats in the waiting area. The guard she was unfamiliar with scanned the luxurious environment alertly, while Johan made no pretense about the fact that he was focused exclusively on their interaction. Could he read lips? Was he going to document Lyle’s expressions as they talked with time stamps? She turned back to Lyle.

“Roth insists they shadow me whenever I go anywhere.”

“I’m glad he takes your safety seriously.”

“Colette doesn’t have a security team,” she pointed out.

“She only visits two buildings—home and the office. Occasionally, she does business lunches and attends functions. She’s rarely alone. You, in comparison, could be anywhere at any given time. You’re also the type to attract a sicko. I’m glad Roth has it covered, so I can sleep better at night.”

“Sicko?” she echoed.

He ignored her question and gave her an amused, indulgent look. “You’ve been causing quite the stir, haven’t you, Minnie?”

“Stir?” she parroted, bewildered. “I’m not doing anything!”

“Your recent investments are far from nothing,” he drawled, making her straighten in alarm.

“You know about my investments?” Her fingers plucked at her coat. “How… how do you know about that?”

“You can’t make moves in my territory, cara, without me hearing about it,” he chided. “You’re a Hennessy. What you do will always be noteworthy. If that wasn’t bad enough, you’re now the wife of the man who has the Midas touch when it comes to picking the right investments. And when you start pouring millions into certain stocks, everyone’s going to sit up and take notice.”

She felt the blood drain from her face. “Everyone thinks he’s feeding me insider information?” she asked in dawning horror.

“Of course.”

“Roth… He…” She felt a little faint. “He has nothing to do with the investments I’ve been making.”

“What do you mean?” he asked sharply.

“I reunited with friends from Wharton’s and met with a financial advisor. I wanted to diversify my portfolio so I chose companies that I thought…” She trailed off at his incredulous look. “What?”

“You’re dumping millions based on advice from your financial advisor and friends say so, when you’re married to one of the most successful investors of our generation?”

When he put it like that, it sounded ridiculous. She balled her hands into fists on her lap. “I think it’s best if we keep our marriage separate from business. I don’t want to take advantage of him just because…”

His snort stopped her speech.

“Minnie, that’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard. You’re married to the man. Asking for advice in his field of expertise isn’t taking advantage of him. It’s expected. Besides, men want their women to ask them for shit.”

In London, Roth offered his money and resources, but he was doing more than enough, helping with Hennessy & Co. There was no need to take from him when she had her inheritance and, “I want to do this on my own! I can do it on my own. I don’t want to lean on him when I have resources at my fingertips.”

He leaned forward, his gaze direct and flinty with temper. “Minnie, he is your greatest resource.” When her stubborn expression remained, he rose, muttering under his breath in Italian as he paced. “Worse thing Maximus ever did was teach you girls you have to do everything on your own. He should have made you into a team. Instead, he made you each other’s competition and the rest of the world, the enemy. I finally had to sit Colette down and explain to her in plain fucking English that I’m on her side. I always have been.” He whirled to face her. “And I’m on your side too.”

“I know that,” she said quietly as her eyes pricked with tears.

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

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