Page 86 of Wicked Fortune

She deserved to know. And every second that ticked by without telling her was another moment of betrayal.

Every time she looked at him with trust in her eyes, every time she defended him or reminded him that he wasn’t the villain, it chipped away at him. Because he wasn’t the man she thought he was. Not entirely.

He’d built an empire, clawed his way to the top, and done things most men couldn’t even imagine. And yet, the hardest thing he’d ever have to do was to simply tell the truth.

But he had to do it.

He couldn’t keep lying to her, couldn’t keep pretending he was something he wasn’t. Not if he wanted a future with her. And he did—dear God, he did.

It had to end now.

Tonight, he would tell her everything. Despite his terror that she might turn her back and walk away, tonight he would do what he had to do.

He drew in a breath, the decision settling heavy on his shoulders. He didn’t know what words he’d use or how he’d even start the conversation, but he’d tell her everything.

Because if the truth was what it took to keep her—really keep her—then he’d risk it.

He just had to find the words.

I wake to find myself bathed in the sunlight streaming in through the bedroom skylight. Groggy, I roll over, my hand searching for Matthew, but all I find are cool sheets. With a frown, I push myself up on my elbow so that I can see the clock—past ten!

Immediately, I leap naked out of bed. “Matthew?”

I grab my robe off the back of a chair and shove my arms into it as I head into the living area, expecting to find him working on his laptop. But there’s no Matthew.

I start to head back to the bedroom to grab my phone off the bedside table, but the smell of coffee captures me and I divert to the kitchen. Both for coffee, and because the fact that it’s brewing is at least evidence that Matthew’s up and awake … and therefore must be somewhere.

The note sitting by the coffee maker under my favorite mug fills in the rest of the puzzle.

Lovely, Aria⁠—

You look so beautiful asleep I couldn’t bear to wake you. And you know what day it is. I thought you would prefer to spend the morning in bed.

I will either see you at the office later or at home.

And just in case you’re wondering, I did kiss you goodbye. I’ll kiss you hello when I see you.

Love you⁠—

M

I grin and hug the letter, then take one of the pens from a nearby canister, write Love You Back beneath his signature, and stick the note on the refrigerator door with a magnet.

Then I take my coffee and head to the shower. I’m half considering spending the day shopping, but I decide against it. As sweet as Matthew’s offer is, I don’t want anyone to think I don’t deserve my job or that I’m only doing it half-assed. And right now, I’m doing important work—exploring the creation of a charity that focuses on stopping trafficking and helping the victims. I’m eager to get that launched, especially since I know the guilt Matthew carries is heavy, though not deserved.

He’s trying to soothe his soul by creating something meaningful to help the victims and keep potential victims safe.

It’s important to him, and that’s one of reasons I love him.

Once I’m clean and dressed, I gather my purse and phone, then check my watch. It’s already past eleven, and I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Lila should be out of the building by now. This time, for good.

I say a silent thank you to Matthew for letting me sleep in. I really wasn’t looking forward to witnessing her walk of shame.

I’m humming a little tune under my breath as I walk into the Hardline office, but the sight of the security guard and two men who are clearly Federal agents stops me cold.

Lila is still there, standing behind her cluttered, box-covered desk as she packs up her things. Her movements are methodical, and though her face is set in a mask of icy detachment, I see the fire in her eyes when she turns and looks at me.

I consider turning around and going down to the employee restaurant, but before I can slip back out, she says, “Ariadne Parker. Come to gloat?”