After they had put everything back and closed Jack’s office up, as if they hadn’t ransacked it, they left and threw their disguises in the truck. Edward took Mia home and told her to stay inside.

“I’ll make sure I call you with a new plan. I just need some time to think.”

Mia nodded, trusting him to help her save her company, even though it looked bleak. He pulled up to the curb and walked her to the door. Leaning in, his kiss was as sweet as the first time.

“I’ll see you tomorrow? If I don’t hear from you before then.”

“You can count on it.” He kissed her one more time before climbing into his car and driving away.

She watched him go, her own mind turning as he disappeared out of sight. When she was sure he was gone, she turned and ran back down the stairs, walking in the opposite direction. She hailed the first cab available and climbed in when it pulled over. She gave an address to the driver and sat back, her stomach forming a knot the size of Texas. The cab dropped her off, and she climbed out, swallowing the lump in her throat. She pulled her phone out and sent a text to Edward.

Time is running out. It’s time for my plan. I REALLY hope you’ll join me.

She shut the ringtone off and turned on the recorder before locking her phone and tucking it back into her purse. Walking up to the front door was one of the hardest things she had ever done. It took everything she had to knock on the door. When no one answered, she wondered how much time she had to talk herself out of what she was about to do before Jack got home. Would she even have the chance? What if Edward got there before Jack and pulled her away? What if Edward never got her text and she was on her own?

Wishing she had grabbed a jacket, she rubbed her arms and walked along the long driveway leading up to the house they had just invaded earlier that afternoon. Her mind started working on her nerves, and she reached for her purse to make sure her text was sent when a set of headlights illuminated her as it rounded the driveway toward the house. She let her purse go and quickly straightened up.

She wanted to run into the bushes. Did she change her mind or was she just afraid of what could happen? Edward’s words echoed through her mind, screaming for her to stay away from Jack. Do you understand me? You don’t know what he is capable of.

She took a big breath. “I guess I’m about to find out, aren’t I?” She straightened her posture as the car turned toward her and stopped in front of her, the lights lighting her up. She stepped back into the shadow of the night and watched the car pull past her. When the door opened and Jack climbed out, his eyes were glued to hers. He stood in his driveway until the car backed up and pulled out.

“Hello, Mia. What are you doing here?”

“I came to—” She stopped and cleared her throat, trying to control the quiver in her voice. Was it from the cold or from her fear of being alone with him again? “I came to talk to you.”

“What about?” He had the same rigid, unfeeling tone Edward had when she told him about Jack. The only similar characteristic she had noticed so far.

“I thought about what you said.”

“And?” He raised his eyebrows, not moving from where he stood.

Mia felt her body start to shake. “Can we go someplace and talk?”

“No. What do you want?”

“I wanted to tell you that you were right. I’m admitting defeat.”

He pursed his lips and stared at her, his eyes studying her face for some truth. She rubbed her arms in hopes he would take mercy on her. When he walked away from her, she followed. He opened the door and stood in the doorway, providing only a small access space for her to squeeze between him and the door casing.

She looked around, pretending it was the first time she’d seen the inside of his house. She heard the door close.

“So, talk. Why the change of heart?”

She followed him through the foyer and the living room into a dining area with a small bar on the wall. “I know you have the upper hand. You can have my company if you want it that badly. I know I don’t have a chance to fight you. I just don’t want to lose Emily.”

“Aw. You’re such a good mommy.”

She hated him for being so condescending.

“Drink?” He held up a glass half full of whiskey.

She shook her head and watched him walk to the long dining table. He pulled a chair out and sat down, crossing his leg over the other and downing half his drink.

Her mouth was dry, and she realized it wasn’t the cold outside air that made her shake. “Stay away from her, and I’ll sign over my company.”

“I want to help you, Mia. I like you.” He downed the other half and set the glass down. “You’ve got spunk.” He stood up and walked back to the bar, filling his glass again. He walked to her as he took a sip, his eyes glued to her. “I tell you what I’m going to do. You see, I’m quite a skeptic when it comes to deals being made and business decisions being decided on. As much as I want to, I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t? Why would I lie?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know what your angle is yet.”

“I’m here, aren’t I? Isn’t that enough?”

“Is it?”

“I know you have the power to ruin me.”

He shook his head and smiled. “Convince me.”

She stared at him, a sick feeling stirring around in her stomach. “Convince you? How?”

He turned and looked toward a spiral staircase, nodding his head toward it. “The same way you got yourself into this mess, Mia.”

She looked at the stairs, pretending she didn’t know exactly what he was referring to. “I’m confused.”

“Of course, you are.” He moved closer to her, reaching up to her face. “I know why you started your little cosmetic company. I know why you bought into DT and why you keep such close ties with me.” He looked at her and smiled. “Our daughter.”

Mia turned away from him before he touched her, an awkward and uncomfortable feeling creeping inside. She was regretting her decision to take matters into her own hands.

“And we both know how she was created, don’t we? Do you often recall that night, Mia? Do you think back on the heat between us?” He leaned toward her, stepping closer with each step she took backward. “God, I get hard thinking about it. We had some chemistry, didn’t we?”

She didn’t dare say a word about that night, about how he pushed himself on her, coaxed her until she didn’t think she had a way out. About how he’d changed toward her the moment he got off, leaving her there without satisfaction, never to hear from him again.

“You want to ensure a bright future for her. I can make that happen.” He caressed her shoulder with his hand. “It can be just as good if you let it.”

She stepped back once more until she was up against the wall. “You already won, Jack. You get my company. What more do you want?”

“I want you in my bed.”

“No. I’m not sleeping with you.”

“It’s the only way I’ll know you’re dedicated to this.”

“You are forcing me to be. Why are you doing this?”

He pushed himself up against her, pinning her to the wall. “It will show me how serious you are.” She felt his hot breath on her, the smell of stale whiskey on his breath. “Sex is a powerful thing, Mia.”

She turned her face away from him when she felt his hand on her breast. Her knee twitched and begged her to raise it up quickly and bring him to the floor, but she couldn’t think. She had to think of the situation, overall. Her future, Emily’s future, relied on her.

Reluctantly, she nodded.

“I knew you’d see it my way.” He stepped back and held his hand out toward her, but she ignored it and walked around him toward the stairs. “This night is getting better and better. I get the company and the girl. I am one lucky son-of-a-bitch.”

She reached the bottom of the stairs and realized she wasn’t supposed to know the layout of his house. As far as he knew, this was her first time inside. She waited, leaning against the banister and let him pass by and sneak a grab of her ass. She shook it off, hoping she wouldn’t have to go through with it. She needed to get him talking, to confess what she needed to know before she took her clothes off. That was not going to be easy.