Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption (Book 6) (Legacy Collection) by Ruth Cardello

“Fuck.”
    Marc said, “It doesn’t make sense for it to be him, though. He could have taken Dominic down with much less trouble. What would he gain from doing it now that he wouldn’t have gained before?”
    Sitting forward again, Jake rapped his desk with his knuckles as he spoke. “ His thirst for revenge might have been too hard to put aside. He changed his tune fast. Maybe too fast.”
    Alethea said, “ I could dig deeper, but I wish I had someone like Jeremy in on this.”
    Jake’s eyebrows shot up.
    With a slight flush of anger, Alethea said, “Not so I can see him again.” She looked over at Marc and said, “We were never a couple. We were friends. Not even good friends. I used him. Yes, I know, I’m an awful person. But that doesn’t mean he’s not our best option when it comes to something like this. If someone is setting Stephan up, Jeremy could find the proof my sources couldn’t.”
    “Already done. He’s on it.” Marc didn’t look bothered by her statement. “And I’m not worried about your past.”
    Jake coughed. “Okay, let’s focus on the problem at hand and not whatever you two are up to that I don’t want to know about. It won’t take Jeremy long to figure this out, but I’ll call him and see what he needs. I was hoping not to bother Dominic with any of this. He’s not going to be happy.”
    Oh, what the hell. “Could you mention something to Marie, also?” Alethea added.
    Jake and Marc looked at her in confusion.
    Alethea shrugged defensively. “She thinks I’m a liar.”
    Jake stood abruptly. “ Marie knows? How did she find out?” Alethea didn’t respond. Jake crossed to stand in front of his desk and said, “You told Lil.”
    Alethea stood and nodded. “Nicole, too.”
    Marc moved protectively closer to her side, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. She couldn’t look up at him because she didn’t want him to see how much his support meant to her.
    Jake, on the other hand, was not as sure of her choices. “Is there anyone you didn’t tell? I’m surprised you didn’t go to Stephan yourself.”
    It was easier to face Jake’s aggression than whatever was building between Marc and her. Easier, and infinitely less scary. She didn’t need anyone to defend her. She always had, and always would, handle her own problems. Chin high, Alethea said, “I almost did, but I came here instead. Was that a mistake?”
    Running his hand through his hair, Jake sighed. “No. I’m not your enemy, Alethea. You’re practically my fiancée’s second sister. I know how much you’ve done for her over the years. But you’ve also hurt her. Your involvement in this is done. Are we clear on that?”
    Alethea didn’t like to lie so she said nothing.
    Jake was too intelligent to miss the meaning of her silence. He also knew that arguing with her would be a waste of time. Instead, he directed his next command to Marc. “I don’t care what it takes, but keep her out of this. I’ll be occupied with damage control here and at home. I don’t want any more surprises, understood?”
    “Yes, sir,” Marc said, and then looked at Alethea. “What if I took her downstairs?”
    A sudden look of amusement flashed across Jake’s face. “Normally I would consider that a bit extreme, but in this situation I think it’s a viable option.”
    I don’t get the joke. What’s downstairs that has them looking so pleased with themselves?
    Marc forcefully guided her out of the office. “Come on.” They walked past the main elevator to what appeared to be one reserved for maintenance only.
    She stepped inside with him and turned toward the closing door. “What’s downstairs?”
    He pressed a blue button on the very bottom of the panel. “Something even you don’t know about.”
    Although her curiosity was piqued, her stomach was churning—a time-tested indicator of trouble. “I’m sure it’s fascinating down there.” In the jail cell or dungeon you want to lock me in . “But I’ll