No one knows you like I know you, Logan told me. Is this what he meant?
“—time for your medication,” the nurse is saying. “Maybe your daughter could come back tomorrow?”
“Of course,” I rise, leaning down to kiss my dad’s cheek. “I’ll be back.”
“Daphne,” he fumbles with my hand. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” Even if I’m no longer going to live to please you.
Rachel is waiting in her car to pick me up.
“You’re alive.” She looks relieved, still perfectly put together in a pink skirt suit.
“I’m alive.” The cold surrounds me but I don’t feel it. “I have so much to tell you.”
“I bet. You look good though,” she looks me up and down before turning her attention to the road.
“Thanks. I’ve been sick, actually, but I rested and I’ve never felt better.” It’s true. Being with Logan was like waking from a dream.
“Well, I’m glad you got some time to yourself. I’m sorry I couldn’t hold down the fort better than I did. Things are…really crazy right now.” There are stress lines on her brow I’ve never seen before.
“Is Adam waiting for me?”
“Yes. And the press are mobbing the place. They think there’s a scandal. And—” She bites her lip.
“What is it?”
“The board is still in closed door talks. I think they’re going to vote you out. I’m sorry, I—”
“It’s not your fault,” I tell her firmly. “I shouldn't have bailed like that. But I had to.” I briefly outline what I’ve found out about Belladonna, including the secret sale of the patents and my meeting with the man who owns them.
“Logan was my father’s old business partner. They founded Belladonna together, but they had a falling out and went their separate ways. Logan got my dad to sell the patents at a time when Belladonna was struggling. After my mom’s death.”
“Crazy,” Rachel shakes her head.
“You have no idea,” I murmur. Logan did all this under the guise of a different company, one he co-owned with the businessman who willed him the castle. And Logan believes my dad and Adam tried to kill him…
“There’s something you’re not telling me.”
Yeah, all the tantalizing details of my captivity, sexy torture, and first orgasms with the man I’ve always longed for. I hold her gaze, trying not to blush.
Fortunately Rachel is still trying to wrap her head around the details I have told her. “I can’t believe your father sold the patents.”
“It happened after my mother’s death. He was desperate.”
“So what are you going to do? Belladonna’s entire net worth is tied up in those patents. If we don’t have the rights to develop the research—”
“I’ve got it figured out,” I say and she blinks. I’ve never sounded so firm before, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. Belladonna is my company, and I’m going to steer her true. “For the first time in my life, I’m thinking clearly.”
“All right,” Rachel murmurs, her brow furrowing as she approaches our building. She’s right—there are press mobbing the front. I resist the urge to slide down in my seat as we pass them. “I’ll drop you off,” Rachel says as she pulls around back. “Go get ‘em. I’m right behind you.”
“Thanks,” I shoot her a smile and exit the car. My confident stride lasts until I’m almost to the lobby elevators. A tall man is waiting by reception, wearing a greatcoat. My steps slow when he turns. Smooth skin, blond hair sleekly combed back from his model perfect face. Adam Archer.
I wait, but there are no belly flutters. No excitement at seeing Adam. No, I’m disappointed. Even with his scars, Logan outshines Adam’s movie star good looks.
But when Adam sees me, he looks relieved. I feel a twinge of guilt. Weak, but it’s there.
“There you are.” He catches me in his arms. To my shock, he puts his hands on my cheeks and kisses me full on the mouth.
“Adam,” I break away. Guilt totally gone. “What are you doing?” I want to wipe my lips, it feels so wrong to have felt someone’s kiss other than Logan’s.
“It’ll be all right, Daphne. I talked to your father. I know just what to do.”
I scrunch my face, jerking back from Adam. Does he always wear this much cologne?
“Adam, that’s…very kind. But I don’t need—”
But Adam isn’t listening.
“Here she is!” Adam waves to someone behind my head. The elevator has opened and several board members are standing there, scowling at me. A committee of vultures, identical to the man with their glowering faces and dark suits.
“I’ve got her,” Adam says and turns me to face him. “Daphne, are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“Our press conference.”
“Wait.” Everything is happening too fast. “What press conference?”
“Just follow my lead.” He’s tugging me to the door. The security guards are opening it.
“No—wait—”
Cameras flash. I’m blinded.
“She’s here, everyone,” Adam is saying, laughing. He shines his toothpaste grin at everyone, basking in the flashing lights. He loves the cameras and they love him.
“Mr. Archer! Mr. Archer!”
“No—” I try to blunder back into the building, but the board is there, waiting just inside. Adam catches my arm and eases me into his side.
“She’s a little camera shy. But that’s okay. I talk enough for the both of us.”
Oh gods, no. I can feel it happening—the old Daphne surfacing. The people pleaser, the one who does whatever her father tells her to do. Smile for the camera, Daphne. Hold the award up nice and high so we all can see it. See what you’re worth.
You don’t see me. I want to scream. You never did. But Adam is waving to a TV crew, his arm around me as we pose. I move with him in lockstep. Everyone’s speaking over me and I just let them.
“Dr. Laurel, where were you? Can you comment on the state of the merger?”
“Enough, enough,” Adam waves his hands and the press settles down. I’ve always wondered how he could do that—magically calm the storm. “I have a question to ask Daphne. And I think you’ll want to hear it.”
My heart beats so loud I barely hear what he says next. But I don’t need to. I can guess. Because, in front of everyone, the ecstatic press and the somber-faced board members, Adam gets down on one knee.
No. My heart stops.
“Daphne,” Adam murmurs.
What, my lips shape the word but no sound comes out. From his pocket, Adam produces a small black box and opens it. A diamond flashes like a paparazzi's camera.
Over the rising roar of the crowd and the rushing in my ears I read Adam’s lips as he asks, “Will you make me the happiest man on Earth?”
Twenty-Six
Logan
Letting her go was the right thing to do. I pace the basement lab while waiting for the latest set of experiments to run.