After Edward left, Mia calmed her racing heart. She knew it was wrong, and her inner voice told her not to touch it. It screamed at her to put the manila folder back into Edward’s case when it fell over, but she didn’t listen. All she had to do was shove it back inside and walk away, but it stuck out enough for her to read the label, taunting her. MWSA Project. She trusted Edward, and she believed him when he said he was going to help her. She had no reason to pry. So why was she pulling it out and shoving it inside her jacket?

She left the lobby and got to her office before pulling it out and opening it. She mumbled to herself as she read the documents.

Ownership, control, and shareholder value. Merge Inc’s hostile takeover of MWSA Cosmetics Inc.

“What?” She flipped to the next page. She read about her company and about Merge Inc. She saw the bid information and the set date. “What the hell?”

She flipped to another page and saw an intercompany memo on Merge Inc. letterhead. Regarding MWSA inventory, all purchases will be stopped upon successful acquisition to avoid further expenses and an overstated revenue vs. cost of goods sold on the financials.

“I don’t understand this.” She put her hand to her forehead and leaned over the paperwork as she continued to read.

HR will take care of all employees, offering severance pay to those employed longer than five years.

“This can’t be happening. He lied to me?” She looked at the bottom of the memo and saw Edward’s signature. She flipped through the other documents, picking up a copy of a check for $1.5 million from Merge Inc. signed by Edward and Claire.

Mia felt reality begin to pull away from her. She dropped the paper on her desk as everything she believed and trusted in came crashing down around her.

“Mia?”

She looked up from the folder on her desk. Steven was talking to her, but she couldn’t hear him. She felt the heavy beating of her heart and heard only the rushing of the blood in her ears. She watched his lips move but didn’t try comprehending his words. He rushed to her and knelt by her side. When he took her hand, she felt herself come back to reality.

“Mia, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“What?” She turned toward him, a sick feeling surrounding the contents of her stomach.

“Are you feeling okay? You’re white as a ghost.”

She shook her head, screaming inside. Why couldn’t she talk? Why couldn’t she tell him what was happening? She put her hand on the documents, sliding them toward him. He picked them up, his eyes scanning what she was still trying to soak in. She used this time to collect herself.

“That conniving, arrogant, selfish son-of-a-bitch. I knew he was no good.”

“And you didn’t say anything? If you had reservations about the guy, why didn’t you tell me?”

When he took in a deep breath and sat down across from her desk, she knew he was about to come clean on something. She didn’t like the feeling.

“I knew who he was when you said you were dating Eddie.”

“And you let it continue?” Mia’s head pulsated. “How could you?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would come to this. I only knew he was a Donovan.”

“And that should have been enough. Instead, you kept it from me. For what reason?”

“You were so happy. I truly didn’t think he was anything like his father. I wanted to believe what he said. I wanted to believe that he was good, especially after the way I saw him look at you.”

“I don’t believe this.” She pushed away from her desk and turned toward the window, disgusted.

“Mia. I wanted to give it time to unfold on its own. I had planned on telling you after the meeting with him, but everything seemed to be working out, so I left it alone. I had no idea he would do this. I never would have allowed it to continue if I had any clue. I’m sorry.”

She sat silent and motionless.

“Mia? Please.”

“What am I supposed to think, Steven? You knew I was sleeping with the enemy, and you said nothing?” She spun back toward him, her arms still crossed. “Nothing at all?”

“You were so happy.”

“And now I’m not, and we have no company.”

It was Steven’s turn to sit quietly.

“Nothing to say now?”

“I didn’t do it to intentionally harm you. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Her phone went off, and she glanced at it before picking it up.

I can’t wait to see you tonight. I want to concentrate on us. No business talk tonight.

Her stomach lurched.

“Is that him?”

Mia looked up at Steven. “Why? Do you need to withhold more information from me?”

“Mia, don’t do this. You know me.”

She did. She didn’t mean to be so hard on him. She knew he meant well. “Yeah, it’s him.” She picked her phone up, her fingers running over the keys. Change of plans. Don’t call me. I’ll call you.

She wasn’t sure why she’d sent such a bold text. It left too much unanswered. She could beat around the bush all day long, ignore his texts and calls, but until he knew exactly why she left him hanging, he wouldn’t stop trying. And, sure enough, her phone went off again.

Mia? Has something changed since I left there?

Mia went through the motions of ignoring the text, even though she kept glancing at her phone, waiting for it to go off again.

He called her. She let it ring. He called again. She hit the ignore button. Then another text.

Mia, what’s wrong? What happened since I left you a few hours ago?

“I’m going to go.” Steven stood up abruptly. “I have a feeling you’re going to have a visit if you don’t answer him.”

“Then I’ll tell him face-to-face.”

“Tell him what?”

“Exactly what he can do with his takeover.”

“I’m going to make some calls, see where we stand and what our options are.”

Mia picked up her phone when it rang again. She didn’t give him a chance to say anything. “You want to know what happened? Let’s see, I guess I figured out just how much of a fake and a phony you are. I should’ve stuck to my guns from the beginning and told you just what I thought of you instead of waiting.”

“If you told me what you honestly thought of me from the beginning, we would still be in my bed.” His voice was deep, demanding.

Mia felt her muscles contract between her legs, her mind going back to what he’d done to her in that bed. “No!” She shook the thoughts from her mind. “How dare you! You think you’re such a player! Go to hell!” She ended the call and slammed it down on her desk, writhing from the heated conversation. Her phone went off.

I’m coming over.

Mia felt her heart palpitate out of her chest, and it was harder to take a breath. She didn’t want to confront him, and she didn’t want to admit that he had control over her. She grabbed her phone and texted back, I won’t be here, so don’t bother.

I will be at Caledonia tonight, around 7. I want to see you. Don’t stand me up. I will not let this go, Mia.

Her initial thought was to stay as far away from Caledonia as she could get, but she knew it would play on her mind. She tapped her foot, anticipating what he’d do if she didn’t show. She felt a tingle between her legs and silently cursed her body for defying her.

Mia. Tell me you will be there.

She tried ignoring her phone again, her heart and body constantly reminding her he meant what he said.

Mia. Don’t make me ask again.

Fine! Yes, I’ll be there.

Good girl.

Damn him. She gathered the paperwork in front of her and placed it back in the folder. She wondered if she could glue it to a brick and throw it at him when she returned it.

The rest of her afternoon was counterproductive. The only thing on her mind was her dinner date with a man she thought she was in love with and now despised with every fiber of her being—except for the aroused, tight muscles between her legs.

Waiting outside, she wanted to be late. She kept looking at the clock on her phone as the minutes ticked by. Why did she get there before seven? She would have to stand outside for twenty minutes to be late enough to have an impact. Changing her mind, she swung the front door open and walked inside. The faster she got this over with, the better.

Edward didn’t appear to be there yet, which made things worse. She’d look like she was waiting for him. What if he was late? Maybe she could take a walk.

She turned to go when her eyes met his. Her body stopped, frozen in place. She wished she’d never sent that text, never met Edward Donovan. How was it that she wanted him out of her life, yet in her bed? She wanted to slam the folder in his face and slam her body into his. She wanted to slap him on her way out the door, hoping he would follow her and dominate her the way he did in his office. But she stood there, unable to move, Edward glaring at her as he moved closer.

“Are you going somewhere?” His voice was rugged, dangerous—and effective.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head.

“Shall we then?” He motioned her toward a table and pulled her chair out until she sat down. “Two glasses of chardonnay, please?” He spoke to the bartender, then sat across from her at the small round table barely big enough for them both.

The air between them grew heavy, awkward, and miserable the moment he sat down. He didn’t say a word to her until the drinks were delivered. He only watched her, making her second guess herself and kick herself for even entertaining the idea she could go through with this.

“Will there be anything else?” The bartender set the drinks down and clasped his hands together.

“No, thank you.” Edward didn’t take his eyes off Mia. When they were alone again, he leaned back, crossing his legs and placing his hands in his lap. “So, tell me what you meant by your rather disturbing text this afternoon.”

What could she say? She wanted to say a lot. She wanted to scream it all out at him, to slam the brick-filled folder in his face, to make him feel as bad as he made her feel. But she didn’t. She pulled the folder out of her case and set it on the table, pressing her lips together and looking away.

“What is this?” He picked it up and looked through it. Mia watched his face intently. “Where did you get this?” He looked upset, disturbed.

“I know I shouldn’t have taken it, but I needed to know. And now I do.” She sounded more sad than angry, not her intention.

“I don’t know where this came from.”

“Really? It was in your case, Edward. You can’t play dumb. You’re not very good at it.”

He looked at every page in the folder, scrutinizing every word.

“You study it as if it’s the first time you have seen it.”

“That’s because it is. I don’t know what this stuff is. I assure you it’s not my doing.”

“And I’m supposed to believe that?”

“Yes. You are. Mia, I’ve been honest with you from the beginning.”

“No, I don’t think you have been.”

“Name one incident I’ve lied to you about.”

“Eddie, really?”

“Well, except for that. That was different.”

“Of course, it was. The only thing I have had to go on with you is your word. When I see something like this, what do you expect me to do?”

“I expect you to come to me, not play these childish games.”

Mia bowed her head, her thoughts cloudy. “I don’t know.”

He set the copy of the check in front of her. “I assure you, this is not my signature. I’ll get to the bottom of this. I know right where to start.”