“Just meet me at Envisager,” I said. “I’ll explain when you get here. I’m sorry as hell to be dragging you through this, Emi, but I love you more than you know…”

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and watched as Amelia gathered her things. I’d told her the truth… at least as much as she allowed. She didn’t want to hear the details any more than I wanted to give them. But she knew enough… and to her credit, was already armed and ready for battle.

“I’m still not convinced this is the way,” I said, as she locked her door behind us and we headed for the car.

“I’m not gonna say it isn’t a risk, Chris,” she answered back. “It is. But I, for one, have had more than enough of men like Sutton...and men like Cliff. They do what they want… they take what they want, like there won’t ever be consequences.” She climbed into the seat beside me. She was angry now… angrier than I’d ever seen her. And it made her strong, too. It was surprisingly good to see…

“It smacks of blackmail,” I said, darkly. “And though I’m grateful as hell, I still think you’re letting me off too easily. Just like Emily is. How can it be right for Sutton to lose everything, and for me to escape? I’m just as guilty as he is.”

She punched me hard and fast in the arm, reminding me of when we were kids, and making me jerk the wheel to keep from swerving…

“Stupid,” she said, making me smile in spite of the circumstances. “You’re my brother, and I’ve had my whole life to see for myself, that you’re a kind and decent man. I know the women you think you ruined. And they all liked to enjoy themselves, long before you, well… hooked up. Did you forget I run in the same social circles they do?” she asked, staring at me and blinking pointedly. “They all still say nice things about you at Christmas parties, you big jerk. None of them got hurt, Chris… Just you.

Sutton’s the one who’s done the damage. And even if you share the responsibility for starting all this, you’re the only one who’s man enough to finish it.”

She gripped my hand in hers and I held it as I drove. I was grateful as hell to have two strong, loyal women supporting me. And I was determined to deserve their trust. I drove on, heading to where Sutton waited,

knowing… what he did not.

Amelia and I parted ways outside my office doors. I took enough time to bring her hand up and give her knuckles a kiss. “You’ve got the numbers you need?” She smiled, her eyes bright, and gave me a quick nod. “Good luck,” I told her. “I’m guessing you’ll need it more than I will,” she answered back. Then I took off for Sutton’s office, as she went into mine and closed the door behind her.

As it turned out, he was not only waiting for me, he had a pitcher of martinis ready and his feet up on the desk. His jacket was flung carelessly over the back of his chair and his rumpled shirt was open at the throat.

“‘Bout time you got here,” he said, slurring his words ever so slightly. He finished what remained in his glass and sat it down, too hard, on the desk.

“I had to reschedule a meeting for this,” he went on. “And I don’t have to tell you… what a busy man I am these days…”

I spun his chair, leaning forward to face him, trapping him where he was with my grip on its arms. I bent down, noticing tiny beads of sweat along his thin upper lip.

“You’re going to stop talking now, Sutton, and you’re going to sit still and listen,” I said. I kept my voice quiet, low… but I held his eyes like a hostage. I didn’t blink. Neither did he.

“For starters,” I said, reaching over to send the martini pitcher crashing to the floor, “this stops now.” He blanched, but didn’t move… didn’t blink. “The next step won’t be as easy,” I said, “but you’re going to be grateful as hell, thanks to me, that at least you saw it coming.”

“This is more shit about the fucking game again, isn’t it?” he said, curling his lip back. “That little slut just wants more money, is all…”

I stopped him cold with a stinging backhand across the cheek. “What the fuck part of listen don’t you understand? Pam’s no slut… and neither were any of the others.” He sat still now, bleeding slightly at the corner of his mouth. “Every single one of those women deserved better than you or me. The game is done.” I sat back against the edge of his desk and saw his shoulders relax, ever so slightly. “I’m going to make a formal apology to each one,” I went on. “So are you. I’m only hoping it’s enough…

And considering the numbers on your end and the time commitment involved, you’re going to take a leave of absence. Unpaid, and without argument.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Effective immediately and until I have proof my conditions have been met. If we’re lucky… very lucky, we’ll be able to avoid an unrecoverable scandal.

“Did it work?” Emi asked. “Did he agree?”

“He didn’t have much of a choice but to agree,” I said. She and Amelia sat together on the sofa in my office. Emi had arrived only minutes ago. “But only time will tell if he has the balls to go through with it. I gave him until Friday to make it right with Pam and half a dozen others from the last month or so. It gives him a few days… but it gives us time as well. He doesn’t know we have an ace up our sleeve… at least not yet.

But he knows it’s all over. And that his only hope of keeping his half of the company for now, is to cooperate. Any scandal that touches either one of us touches the business. I can live with losing it all, so long as we make things right in the end. But I doubt that’s a choice he’ll be willing to make. In a sense, I’m counting on his instinct for self-preservation.”

Emily stood up and I took her into my arms. Her warmth and sweetness washed over me like a healing balm. Everything I’d worked for in my life was on the line… in the hands of a man with no moral compass. While I wasn’t proud of my past, at least I had learned from my mistakes. But I had little, to no reason, to believe Sutton had.