But knowledge edges its way into my frightened mind. I know full well why they’re here.
Braden was right.
Peter and Garrett gave Betsy and Tessa ketamine.
And they got it from Peter’s daddy.
“You’re not going to get away with this,” I say to them.
“Little lady, I’ve gotten away with a lot worse, as your boyfriend knows.”
“That’s why he wouldn’t give you the building contract,” I say, whipping my hand to my hips. “He knows you play dirty.”
“And he doesn’t?” Beau shakes his head.
“No, he doesn’t,” I say.
“Maybe you’d like to know who financed his way to the top,” Peter says.
Damn. They know. But how? There was an NDA. Except…Addie didn’t hold up her part of the bargain. If she continued stalking Braden—in fact, is stalking him still—she may well have divulged the information about the settlement.
“He financed his company himself.”
It’s not an untruth. It was Braden’s money, as I told him earlier. It was opportunity knocking. It was money for his cooperation and silence.
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” Beau says.
Fine. Let them think I don’t know. It only puts me in a stronger position. I won’t give away the farm.
“Really?” I say. “And I suppose you’re going to enlighten me?”
“We’d be happy to,” Beau says, “but there isn’t time.”
“Why not? Braden’s not here yet. Seems we have time after all.” I stride into the lobby, hoping I look less nervous than I feel. I take a seat on one of the leather wingbacks. “Care to join me, gentlemen?”
My heart is beating rapid-fire, and my mouth is dry. Still, I resist swallowing and licking my lips. I don’t want them to know how they’re affecting me.
I have no idea what I’m getting into. If they routinely drug women, they could be capable of anything. They could have guns.
My skin chills. I feel like a giant ice cube.
They each take a seat on the couch opposite me. Great. I’m right in their firing range.
I need to get a grip.
Braden, where are you?
Why didn’t I text him while I was in the elevator?
“Your boyfriend is up to no good,” Beau says.
“If you mean he’s going to stop you people from drugging women, then I’d say he’s up to a lot of good.”
Peter’s ears redden around the edge. Oh, he’s trying to look calm and collected like his father, but I got to him.
“Those are unfounded accusations,” Beau says.
“Interesting. Your friend Garrett drugged Tessa, and I’d be willing to bet you did the same thing to Betsy, Peter.”
“More unfounded accusations,” Beau says. “Your friend has a history of drug use.”
“She’s used drugs one time.”
Crap. I wish I hadn’t said that. I don’t need to give them information.
“The allegations against Garrett and my son are fabricated,” Beau says, his mouth a straight line.
The man is ice cold. Does anything rattle him?
“Are they? Because I’m pretty sure my friend was drugged.”
“That’s what she tells you, anyway,” Beau says.
“I’m done talking.” I grab my phone to text Braden.
Then I drop my jaw nearly to the floor.
Braden walks through the door swiftly, sailing past the unmanned reception desk. He comes directly to me, takes my hand, and pulls me off the chair and into the protection of his body. “Are you okay, Skye?”
I nod. “Yes.” I will my voice not to shake.
“And I suppose there’s a good reason why my doorman isn’t at his post?” Braden eyes Beau and then Peter.
“He wasn’t there when we arrived,” Beau says.
“Nice try. I got a text from him after you threatened him. Knowing Skye would be home soon, I cut my meeting short.”
“Mr. Black,” Beau says, “I assure you that—”
“Stop it. Stop it right now. You thought you could get to me through Skye. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Skye has more intelligence in her right hand than the two of you have together.”
A little warmth creeps up my neck. I love how much Braden believes in me. Still, I’m glad he showed up.
Really glad.
“She is formidable,” Beau agrees, “but does she have this?”
I suck in a breath when Beau pulls out a pistol. Braden’s body tenses, but only I notice, since I’m touching him.
Has he been held at gunpoint before?
I haven’t, and the way my heart is beating and my skin prickling with fear, it’s not something I ever want to repeat.
But Braden is in control. So very in control.
“Put that away, Beau,” he says. “You and I both know you’re not man enough to actually use it.”
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
What if Braden’s wrong? What if that gun goes off? Right into our bodies?
God, Braden! Everything turns black and ugly all at once. The man I love could be gone with one pull of a trigger. I should step in front of Braden. Save him. But my feet won’t move. They’re mired in concrete. And then this maniac could turn on me next. I can’t lose Braden. And I don’t want to die. I’m too young. My life is just beginning. I have the most wonderful career in the world, the most wonderful man in the world, the most—
Quicker than a flash, Braden executes some kind of kick, sending the gun flying out of Beau’s hand and sliding across the marble floor of the lobby until it stops against a wall.
“Don’t even think about it,” Braden says, as Peter eyes the gun. “We both know you don’t have the balls.”
Peter’s face goes pale, and his eyes… Damn. Are those tears welling in the bottom of his eyes?
How was I ever attracted to this asshole?
“We don’t want trouble,” Beau says.
“You don’t? You always threaten people with a gun when you don’t want trouble? And by the way, my security has been back up since I arrived, so I’ve got you dead to rights for assault with a deadly weapon. Plus what you’ve done to Skye.”