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She frowned, wondering what he was leading to. Had the man blackmail him into something unlawful? Rather than question Savion, which would entail her facing him, she kept silent. "With my understanding of how business works and the training he so generously provided me she heard the bitterness in his voice I was in a perfect position to infiltrate certain businesses to gather information." Lydie's eyes widened, and she gasped. Not meaning to, she swung around to face him. Too late, she realized he saw the tears on her face. She swiped them away. Are you telling me you have been stealing from companies all this time, that the company you're currently working for is another target?" He grinned. You mean the one you recently acquired? Lydie was shocked again that he knew, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. He reached out to stroke her face and wipe a last tear from her cheek. A tremor went through her at his touch. She hated loving him. "My people informed me of your interest in me and told me you bought the company. I had planned to meet with you, insist you get out before it was taken down, but I did not anticipate you having me kidnapped. Neither did they." "My interest in you. She stood and turned to go downstairs, feeling tears start again. "Lydie. Baby. He moved up behind her and pulled her back against him. Desire flamed to life in her belly. She resisted it, though she felt the response of his erection. Savion nuzzled her neck as he always did. Lydie, I feel..." She stiffened at the sound of a speed boat nearby. Savion shoved her gently toward the stairs. Get below and hide." "No. She wasn't being forced into the closet again. Savion might not accept her help, but he was getting it whether he liked it or not. Before he could argue, someone called out from the other boat. "Lydia?" "Daddy!" Moments later, the deck filled with men Lydie recognized as working for her father, at his New York warehouse. Each of them held guns and searched the ship as if they were trained, just like Savion. She frowned. Just what the hell was going on? Before she could get answers or even ask her lover what more he knew, Lydie found herself whisked onto a boat that sped toward the mainland. Her father refused to speak until she had rested and promised to explain everything. He would make arrangements for Savion and the captain. But the next morning, her father, Savion, and the captain were gone. Lydie was left with an escort and a ticket back to London, one she apparently was not allowed to change. [Back to Table of Contents] Chapter Nine All that she thought she knew about her life, about her father was a lie. Or maybe this was a confirmation of what she believed from the start that he loved business more than he loved her, if he cared at all. His holdings were basically stolen by any means he felt was necessary. And apparently, Savion was into it with him. How much more of a fool could she have been back then? "Are you sure about this? she asked her informant. But the evidence was in the folder she'd been supplied with. Photos, reports, testimony of not only her father's activities but also her lover's. Savion had been instrumental in bringing down all of her father's competitors, sometimes working from the inside. "Yes, Ms. Simpson. Your father is a very powerful and ruthless businessman. Using the men in his employ, he has been able to get executive level employees of various companies to hire the men he wants them to. Once inside, the men systematically bring the company to a position of surrender to your father. None of the owners know what's coming until it's too late." Lydie turned away from the man to glance out her office window. And Savion Bellamont? she quiered. "His top man." She sank down in her chair as a weight descended over her head and shoulders and sapped the life from her. That will be all. Thank you. She waited until she heard the click of the door before she slumped back in her chair and closed her eyes. Savion had said a man made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He meant her father, yet how could he not refuse? What could her father hold over his head to keep him obedient all these years? Lydie glanced down at the papers in her hands again. Her father had clearly broken the law countless times, even had men killed. So why had he never been convicted? Glancing around her office, she knew at least what she had to do. She would resign her position immediately and put up the company for sale that she'd taken over. A broker could handle everything, while she went away for a while to rethink her life. One thing was for sure, she never wanted to see her father or Savion again. That night in her flat, Lydie packed the clothes she intended to take with her and made last minute arrangements for her housekeeper to take her bird with her when she left the next day. With no family other than her father, and no close friends because of work consuming her twenty-four-seven, Lydie had all loose ends tied within a matter of hours. Just before she rode to the airport tomorrow morning, she would be turning her findings over to the authorities. He might be her father, but he was a criminal that needed to be brought to justice. His cruelty would be stopped. She had thought long and hard about Savion's name being mentioned with her father's and found she just couldn't do it. She couldn't turn the man she loved in to the authorities, so she had burned the sheets with his name and the photos that suggested his activities. When that was done, she slipped into bed with her mind settled. Welcome to the rest of your life, she muttered, depressed. She'd barely closed her eyes when a hand covered her mouth. Lydie screamed and struggled against the body now pinning her down. "Shh, hush, baby. Her eyes widened in the darkness, but she couldn't see Savion. You know I'm not going to hurt you. He slid to the side of her and ran a hand down over her stomach to squeeze gently between her legs. Lydie moaned. With a sigh, Savion sat up taking her with him. When he clicked her bedside lamp on, she blinked against the sudden light. "You're not going to scream? he asked. She shook her head, and he removed his hand. What are you doing here? I thought you were long gone, she accused, trying to ignore the pain in her chest at his abandonment. He stood and moved to the dresser where the folder with her evidence lay. Flipping through it with interest, he spoke. I had to obey orders. Simple as that. But when I was able to make arrangements, I came here to get you. Now, get dressed." Lydie frowned, tossing back the covers and marching over to take the folder from him. I'm not getting dressed. I have a flight in the morning, and that folder is none of your business." Instead of giving her the file, Savion wrapped an arm about her waist and yanked [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |