Chapter 28: True surface

"Elena," he remarked, lifting his glass just now. "Same bone framework." similar eyes. But you have something more difficult about you. Perhaps life behaved in like manner. Perhaps it was the Beaumonts as well. She gave no response. Tonight she had no need for his poetry. "Why are you in this place? She begged. Michael waved to the armchair across from him. "Sit". "I am not among your staff. Sipping gently, he answered, "No, but you're in dangerous terrain, Scarlet." "And I object to seeing history repeated." She went across the room and dropped herself into the chair without looking back. "Thus speak.

Why exactly now? Why do you come to me? „ Michael lowered his glass. "Because you have been dancing too near something that ought to have been buried long ago." You mean Wyatt? "I mean everything he created rests on lies and blackmail." The lips of Scar pressed tightly. “I read the journal. I know the damage he caused to my family. Michael inclined forward. The journal is only a snippet. Actually, significantly worse is the situation. A shiver slithered down her back.

Then let me know the rest. He watched the flames and then became silent. His voice then dropped low, purposeful. "Wyatt aimed not only to split your family." He used them. Your father's company involved collateral damage in a deal gone bad inside a conflict between Wyatt and an elderly investor. Your father was blamed to hide a financial betrayal Wyatt committed years ago. Scarlet’s brows pinched. But why us, then? Why target my family? ” “Because they were clean. Genuine.

They became ideal victims from that. No filthy laundry. No leverage. They lacked the same venom for a counterargument. Her tummy turned upside down. Furthermore Tucker? The " Michael's jaw locked. "He was not supposed to know. Between you two, Wyatt intended to drive you out before it ever got serious. But then Tucker fell for you. And Wyatt started to freep from. Scarlet slid in. He then misled him. Fed him everything required for hate of me. Michael gave a nodding. And you left, believing you were looking after Tucker. But what you did was hand him gift-wrapped under full control for Wyatt.

She let out a strong breath. Michael retrieved a short manila folder from within his inner coat pocket. "What is this??" She begged. " Evidence." Enough to scare Wyatt, not enough to destroy him. Trail of banking. Payments to Revens & Co. off-book. fake contract audits. All through shell companies connected to Wyatt's identity. Scar picked up the file and turned the pages. Numerals. Copies. Notatures. You are handing this to me? She enquired. "I am depending on you with this. "And in return, what do you want? Michael's gaze grew frigid. Zero. Still,. That word stayed in the room like a knife. Standing gripping the folder was Scarlet. You waited years to come forward. Now? Why? The " "Because you are not only Tucker's wife anymore," he remarked. You represent a threat to Wyatt. You therefore possess authority. More than you could possibly know. Scarred moved toward the door.

Then it's time I began using it. Michael said, "Carefully," after her. Wyatt seems to have eyes everywhere. You won't get a second shot if he believes you are gathering proof. She silence. Too loudly in her ears, her heart thundered. She left, fists tight, head whirling. Now the corridor seemed smaller, as though the walls themselves were watching. Her steps accelerated. She turned to look at movement outside the window as she approached the door. Slick black SUV idled past the gates. Her pulse paused. She moved forward, gazing through the drape. The car stood stationary. Zero logo.

From this distance, none of the license plates she could read. The windows were dark, the kind of tint applied not only for seclusion but also to hide identity. She stood there for exactly one minute. The SUV did not change. Then it gently, purposefully vanished into the rain-veiled night, as if on cue. Scarlet tightened her fingers on the file. She had mentioned Michael, someone knew. One observer was there. She moved quickly. She hurried up the stairs, the file hard against her chest. She owed it to Tucker to inform him. She had to inspire belief in him. Since whatever this was become less of a game these days.

There was war. She also ceased to be the girl fleeing fire. It was her turn to start it. The house was just too quiet. Scarlet walked the hall, the folder firmly gripped against her breast, her fingers stiff with cold and something worse worry mixed with adrenaline. While the storm outside had calmed down to a consistent drizzle, silence inside the Beaumont estate was no longer peace. It served as a signal. a caution. Every shadow felt to last longer. Every squeak in the walls seemed intentional. She stopped hand hanging over the handle when she got to her bedroom door. Her pulse beat in odd time. She opened the door with effort. The sconces let dim light flow across the ivory and gold inside of the room. The fire out. The temperature of the air was low.

She locked the door behind her and moved slowly. Then she slid the document into the false drawer at the bottom of her wardrobe, a compartment she had only recently found days earlier looking for something completely else. She held her fingers on the latch. She then let it to close. She almost shouted when she turned around. Tucker was standing in the corner. Still. Still in mind. observed her. She had not spotted him until he moved; he had merged into the darkness so totally. Under the dim light, blue and keen, his eyes gleamed like the edge of a blade just unsheathed. Scarlet's pulse flew. "What the devil are you doing in this place? "You never returned to the study." "I craved air." You were supposed to creep around? The " She folded her arms and let out a nasal expiration. "Don't begin." With every inch he closed between them, the room tightened as he moved cautiously forward like a predator circling its target. "Where were you, Scarlett? She straightened her chin. "Chatting with someone who tells the truth really.

He clinched his jaw. “Michael Richards,” he said bluntly. You visited with him. Her heart faltered, but she stood fast. You are right. "Behind my rear." You would try to stop me, if I told you. "Because you're reckless," he remarked sharply. no. I am desperate, she shot back. One finds a difference. Tucker's voice now was quieter, boiling under control. You're playing with fire. "Perhaps the only thing that can burn the falsehoods down of your father." You ought to have visited me. Scarlet passed him headed for the bed. You did. You simply did not want to hear it. He trailed, faster now, between her and the wardrobe. "What could he have given you?