\[Nadia’s POV\]
I sip on my mojito while keeping my gaze fixed on the entrance of the cafe that I sit in until the glass doors open and the person I was here to see enters. As she does, she begins to take in the area until her gaze comes to rest on me.
Lifting a hand, I motion her forward, then lean back as she makes her way toward me, and when she takes a seat, she fixes her gaze on me.
“These may help you,” Anastasia announces, placing a white envelope on the table. “But if you’re caught, you are on your own. My wedding is in a few days, and I don't want anything to be ruined."
On my own. Ha. I was sure whatever it was she was giving me to take down Denali would leave her incriminated, but if she wanted to try to play this game, I would bite.
Nodding, I reach out and take the envelope, then open it and take in the contents.
“You did well,” I beam, closing it again. “But I must ask, who is the man?”
“My fiance,” she explains. “Let’s just say that she isn’t as innocent as she is trying to pretend to be with Rosco. She has always been jealous of me and was willing to give her body simply to climb the ladder.”
Disgust rolls through me as I try to understand how Rosco could fall for such a horrible act, but I would make sure that he saw who his new wife truly was.
“Don’t worry,” I say, reaching out and patting Anastasia’s hand. “I’ll make sure to ruin her.”
Beaming, she gives me a look of thanks. I keep my expression neutral as I smile back and then get up.
“Thank you for bringing these,” I announce. “I’ve got to get going, but keep an eye out for the grand reveal.”
“I look forward to it." Anastasia giggles before I turn and head out.
Once I’m outside, I begin to relax while I climb into my car.
Poor Anastasia, thinking that I actually bought any of her act. She was just as much of a whore as her sister, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she stole her fiance from Denali. Whatever, that was a fight for the sisters; I just wanted Rosco to myself, and this would help me get that.
When I pull out onto the highway, I dial Byron and then wait as the phone rings.
“Nadia?” He answers, seeming happy. “Have you gotten what you needed?”
“I did,” I respond. “I’ll be at your place in ten.”
\[Denali’s POV\]
I lay in bed watching as Rosco gets dressed. Goddess, he looked gorgeous in his form-fitting suit, and his hair spiked up on the top of his head. I had to admit, he cleaned up well, and the urge to rip the clothes off of him quickly begins to build in me.
“I don’t have to go,” he says, as if reading my mind.
“No,” I sigh, giving a smile. “This is business-related, and it won’t look good if you aren’t present.”
“Business,” he grumbles, coming over to the bed and pinning me down. “I don’t give two shits about business when my beautiful wife is looking at me as if she wants to jump my bone.”
Giggling, I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck, and pull so that our lips meet for a brief moment.
“Just don’t make me wait alone too long,” I murmur before kissing him once more. “And don’t find yourself another woman.”
“That won’t happen,” he growls, his eyes flashing. “There is and always has been only one woman for me.”
“Always?” I repeat, raising a brow.
This was the second time Rosco said something like this, but I had a feeling if I asked him what he meant, he wouldn’t tell me.
“One day,” he sighs, leaning his forehead against mine. “I’ll explain.”
With that, he straightens out and gives me one last look of longing before reaching up and straightening his tie. Once he’s satisfied with his look, he gives me a look.
“Stay out of trouble,” he says, giving me a rueful smile. “At least until I return.”
“No promises,” I giggle. “Go on now. You’ve wasted enough time on me.”
“Never.”
After that, he heads out of the room, so I’m left alone. Instantly, I feel lonely, which takes me by surprise since Rosco only came into my life a few weeks prior. Was I already that accustomed to him being here? I was really in trouble.
Don’t think like that, Denali. I huff inwardly, getting out of bed and giving a stretch. Just take a long, hot bath.
Wincing, I’m reminded of how hard I let Rosco go when we were together the night before and earlier. Even if I endured, I couldn’t deny that it would take some getting used to, but I definitely didn’t hate it. If anything, I actually really enjoyed it.
Grinning to myself, I begin to move, but before I can take a step, my phone goes off. Frowning, I pick it up and take in the strange number that was sending text after text.
Deciding it was better to just check and see what was happening than work myself up, I open the messages and feel my eyes grow wide. There aren’t any messages, only pictures of me and Alexander. One after the other, but these pictures aren’t actual pictures we took. Instead, they’re clearly doctored pictures of us together in various situations, and only I would know they were fake.
“Who?” I hiss, continuing to scroll through until I come across a screenshot of a large news media outlet with the picture on the front page. “Dammit!”
Closing out the messages, I scroll through my contacts until I find Rosco's number and then press dial. I knew that he would know better, but I wanted to plead my case. I had to prove my innocence. Why was it that when things were finally starting to look up, this was happening?
As these thoughts race through my mind, the phone continues to ring, and when Rosco's voicemail message begins, I hang up and throw my phone down.
“Don’t panic, Denali,” I whisper, taking a few calming breaths. “It’s going to be okay. I just needed to wait for Rosco to get home, and then he…”
A loud bang sounds from downstairs, followed by the sound of breaking glass before I can even finish trying to calm myself.
Throwing on a robe, I rush out of the room and head toward the stairs as the smell of smoke reaches my nose, and before I can even try to make sense of what is going on, a loud boom sounds and the floor beneath my feet crumbles.