The storm gave us an excuse to sneak away and be alone, but as the sun came out, I realized I didn’t want to hide any part of how I feel about Lindsey.
Understandably she didn’t want to flaunt it at a work retreat, and I respected that. But after Mary walked in on us, there really isn’t a way for her to keep it quiet forever. And I’m not about to let her.
My phone vibrates, and I look down at the screen expecting a text from Lindsey telling me she’s on her way. She’s doing a workshop this afternoon with the women in upper management, examining ways to better support staff.
We decided to meet in her hotel suite after she was finished so I could eat her pussy while she told me all about it. I’m more than happy to worship my woman while she sits on her throne, which is how I like to think of my face.
When I unlock my cell and see the text, I curse. The things I’ve been pushing off for days have caught up to me.
Sienna: Tick tock.
Me: I need more time.
I don’t want to do this, but I can’t risk getting Lindsey involved or worse, having her hurt because of me.
Sienna: You’re out of it. I want it by tonight…
The dots on the screen left it open, but I recognize the threat. Or else Lindsey will be put in the middle of this, and I don’t know what Sienna is capable of.
Before I agreed to the merger with Darian, I was approached by Sienna at a conference in Germany. We talked for a long time about the future of our industry, and I foolishly agreed to drinks with her.
She represented one of my biggest competitors, but she made an offer to buy me out if I brought along the technology I was working on. Darian and I created a new product to change the course of our field, and it would reinvent fingerprint technology and retina scans globally. I didn’t hold all the pieces of the puzzle, but Darian and I together would change the future of biometrics.
I agreed to work with her but only with my half of the puzzle. I should have known better, but I was so worn down after years of research and implementing production that I was ready to hand over the keys and let someone else drive. I didn’t realize that making a deal with Sienna would be my biggest mistake. A lifetime of success and with one lapse in judgment, she ruined me.
The moment she knew what Darian and I had, she tried to get her claws in me. It didn’t matter that I went through with the merger with Darian, or that I flew to the other side of the country. She wants what she thinks she’s owed, and she’ll do anything to get it.
Sienna wants me to get the missing pieces of the puzzle from Darian so that her company can be the first to the patent. It doesn’t even matter if she knows how to use the technology; she just wants it so she can sell it to the highest bidder. She doesn’t care what they do with it or what countries it might destroy, and I’m just a speed bump along the way.
I clench the phone in my hand, and I think about Lindsey and what she means to me. I never had anyone or anything Sienna could hold over my head, but the second I fell for Lindsey she was there to swoop in.
Looking across Lindsey’s suite, I see her laptop open on the table. What would happen if I gave Sienna what she wanted? Could I live with myself if I didn’t do all that I could to protect the woman I love?
The thought of loving Lindsey is like a bomb going off inside of me. Only it doesn’t hurt. I want to feel the heat of it, the pain, and the all-consuming need. If Sienna stayed true to her word and she did something to take Lindsey from me, I would never be able to live with myself.
Could I destroy so many more by giving Sienna what she wants? Yes. Can I live without Lindsey? No.
Before I tell my legs what to do, I’m standing and walking over to her computer. It’s open and unlocked as I touch the mouse and bring it to life.
If I give Sienna what she wants, she goes away forever. But if I don’t then she’ll never leave us alone. I’ll never know a moment's peace with Lindsey if I’m always looking over our shoulders to make sure we’re safe. I don’t want for her to have a life like that, and it’s all my fault for bringing this down on her.
The only way out of this is through fire, and although I hate that this is my only option, I refuse to risk the woman I love.
I click into the shared company files and easily find the folder I’m looking for. The project is set to roll out in a few months, so it’s not like we would be that far behind. This just gives Sienna a jump on the technology, but we could still beat her to the patent if she doesn’t know how to use it. I have to hope that even by betraying Darian—and Lindsey—that I’m making things right.
A few clicks on the laptop and I’m downloading the files to a flash drive I found in my bag. But just as the computer chimes with the final transfer, I feel eyes on my back.
Slowly, I turn to see Lindsey leaning up against the doorframe watching me with narrowed eyes. I have no idea how long she’s been there, but it’s clear it’s been long enough to see what I’ve been doing.
I’ve never seen a gaze so cold as she straightens and takes a step away from me.
“Wait, Lindsey, it’s not what you think.”
“I would tell you to get the fuck out, but I don’t trust you to do it. So I’ll save us both the time and energy.” As she reaches the door, I rush after her and grab her arm. She jerks away from me like I’ve burned her. “Don’t touch me!”
“Please, princess, let me explain.”
“No.” Her voice is so low it’s glacial, and the inside of my chest cracks. “You got what you wanted.” She makes a point to look down at the flash drive I’d forgotten is still clenched in my fist. “And there’s nothing left to say.”
“There is if you just listen,” I beg, but the ice in her eyes leaves no room for argument.
“Goodbye, Gibson.”
Chapter 13
Lindsey
A month. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve set eyes on Gibson. I thought the pain would get easier over time, but it hasn't, and I think it’s getting worse. I still wake in the night reaching for him, and when I do sleep, I dream about the life I thought we might have together.
He used me.
In all the struggles I’ve had in my life, I don’t recall that being one I had to suffer. Until him. I’d opened my heart and everything to him, and I’d never done that with anyone before. He ruined what could have been between us, and I haven't even begun to pick up the pieces yet. I’m not sure I can because he took some of me with him, and I’ll never get it back.
“What are you doing?” Darian asks, jerking me out of my thoughts. I’m standing in front of his door about to knock, or at least the plan had been to knock. I knew if I didn't come to him he’d be tracking me down to my place the second he knew I was back in town.
“I’m sorry.” My nose burns and tears begin to build.
“Don’t fucking apologize to me.” He grabs me around my arms and surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. “There is nothing to be sorry for. That company doesn't matter, our family is the only thing that does.”
That doesn't help the burning of my nose, and for the first time since all of this happened, I cry. He hugs me tighter, and I want to curse him for making me break. I’ve been so good about holding it together until now.