His to Hold: A Billionaire Romance (His to Have Book 2) by Piper Hayes Page A

is the reason the company went out of business, the reason we went broke, and the reason why you don’t have money anymore. He stole a third of our client base, and before he left, he created a mess that spiraled out of control. He’s a criminal.”
    I feel like a piece of glass that’s been hit by a rock. The cracks spread through it, but it just barely stays intact. That’s how I feel right now: just barely intact. I feel like even the slightest breeze could shatter me into a thousand pieces. “I don’t believe you,” I tell him. I really don’t. It’s the only choice I have.
    “That’s because he’s manipulating you.”
    “He trusts me, and I trust him.” I tighten my hand around the key to his secret loft. He trusts you, Cat. You need to trust him too , I tell myself.
    “You’re being naïve. He has everything to gain from you and nothing to lose. Believe me or not, the equation is simple. If the FBI gathers enough evidence that the US Attorney can prosecute, we get back our frozen assets. You’ll have a trust fund again. Not what you had before, but it will be more than enough to get by.”
    “You’re helping them, aren’t you?” I ask.
    “Yes. And you’re going to help them, too.”
    I cross my arms and try my hardest not to scream. We’re already outside the city, and I have no idea where we are. The trees are vibrantly green and the clouds are starting to burn off, and I know I can’t stay in this car a minute longer than necessary.
    Soon we’re off the highway, driving down a two-lane country road. I demand that the driver pull over the car onto the dirt shoulder. I shout, and I feel like a petulant child. I always feel like a child around my father. The driver pulls over onto the shoulder. I don’t even seen him through the partition.
    “What are you doing?” my father asks.
    “I’m leaving,” I tell him.
    “And where do you think you’re going to go?” he adds.
    “I’m going back, and I don’t need your help getting there.”
    My father softens his voice as he says, “I’m doing this for your own good. I wish you would see that. You’re my only child now. I need to protect you. I’m only trying to help.”
    “If you want to help me, let me out of the car and leave,” I tell him. “And don’t come after me. I’m not going to help you go after Blake.”
    “Do you really trust this man you just met, a man you don’t even really know, more than you trust your own father?”
    “Yes, I do.”
    He almost winces as he listens to my words. For a second, I feel like maybe he does care. I feel like maybe I’ve hurt him somehow, but I know that isn’t possible. My father knocks on the partition between the back and the driver. The doors unlock. I step out and slam the door shut.
    I watch the limo peel out and disappear around the next bend in the road. I don’t really know where I am. I don’t know where Blake is either, but that doesn’t matter. I reach for the key in my pocket and hold it in my hand. I know where I have to go.
    I start walking.

CHAPTER 2

    CATHERINE

    I make it to the city by nightfall. Thank God for Metro North. I get on the subway and switch lines four times, twice because I have to, and twice because I’m paranoid. I don’t know why I think I’m being followed. My father wouldn’t go through the effort, and I doubt the FBI has any interest in me. I keep Blake’s key in my hand the whole time. I’m not even willing to risk putting it back in my pocket. I hold it like a talisman. As long as I have it, no harm will come to me.
    Once I reach Brooklyn, I struggle to remember how to find the loft. I don’t know how I do it. I find the river and start walking. It’s late, and I have no idea where I am, and I’m more than a little afraid without Blake by my side, but I find my way. I look over my shoulder one more time to make sure no one’s following me, and then I duck into the lot, find the entrance and make my way inside.
    Then I wait. My phone