Chapter 29
Victor Chambers blocked my exit, materializing in my doorway with predatory timing. His steel–gray eyes assessed me like a lion sizing up enunded prey
v desk
I casually slid Dianas note into my diet, maintaining eye contact with Palmer’s legal “Tixer” as he invaded my space. The scattered evidence on my suddenly felt like a confession in plain sight.
“Mr. Palmer is deeply concerned about Mr. Drake’s representation, he said, leaning forward. Particularly given your… personal history.
I kept my professional mask in place despite my racing pulse. “If Mr. Palmer has concerns, he should address them directly with our client.”
police report from six years ago. The sealed juvenile records. The lamp.
“Let me be direct.” His voice dropped to a threatening whisper. “We know about the p You know cuntly whi I’m taking about.”
My blood turned to ice. Rachel had somehow accessed my scaled records documenting that terrible night when I’d struck Robert with a lamp and fled.
“You’re wasting my time, Chambers.”
“Mr. Palmier would like to resolve this Only you
tter. Tomorrus, 10 AM, his private conference room.” His eyes hardened. “Just you–not Ms. Wright, not Mr. Drake.
“Chambers.” Diana’s voice sliced through the tension from my doorway. Any discussions regarding the Drake case should include me, I am the managing
w how
After he left, Diana locked the doot and handed me an encrypted flash drive. This contains records of all Palmers under–the–table dealings. Including be manipulated Warriors management against players who wouldn’t play hall.”
“Why give this to me now?TM
“Because Chambers’s appearance means Palmet is ready to take extreme messures, I can’t openly oppose him, but you can.”
The private elevator to Caspian’s penthouse felt like a decompression chamber. When the doors opened, he was already waiting, concern etched across his features
Chambers knows about my past, I announced to the assembled group–solde, Blake, and Amanda Morris, Palmer’s former PR consultant.
“Palmer a signature move, Amanda said. “Find a weakness, apply pressure, force compliance
Palmer s
wants to meet me tuMDEN
per morning. Alone,”
“A private
te meeting is a trap, Amanda warned.
Caspian moved beside me, his warmth radiating. “You can go
go alone. It’s too dangerous.
I met his gare divertly. “I have to go. It’s our only chance to find out what they really want.”
Later that night, my phone felt impossibly heavy in my trembling hand. The number Id preserved for six years–unchanged, just in case–stared back at me. I pressed dial before I could lose my nerve.
Each ring stretched like an eternity, until
Hello? Her voice was
was thinner than I remembered, hesitant.
My throat closed up completely. Six years of silence condensed into a single, strangled word: “Mom.”
A sharp pap on the other end. Then silence, booken only by the sound of her muffled crying
Lage! It is really your your cracked with emotion. Six years without a word… I thought maybe you wer
I wend your help.” I cut her all, stable to bear the weight of a proper reunion. My knuckles turned white around the phone. “About that night. About Robert
Oh God” The fear in those w words told ine everything. After you left, after what he did what he tried to do to you
1 kes you thear him over me.” The words tasted like ash, but I forced them out. But Bachel is using what happened in threaten me no
Chapter 29
Her breathing became ragged. “There’s something you don’t know. Something I couldn’t—” She broke off, and I heard what sounded like a drawer opening. “I have letters. Between Robert and Rachel. Planning what they would do to you. How they would… control you.”
My whole body went cold. “You kept those? All this time? Why didn’t you
“Because I was a coward,” she sobbed openly now. “Because I was terrified of him tee. But now… now I can finally do what I should have done years ago. Protect my daughter”
When 1 hung up, my face was wet with tears I hadn’t realized I was shedding. My phone lit up with a text from Caspian: Whatever happens tomorrow. remember you’re not alone. We’ll face this together.
Palmer Enterprises occupied the top floors of a Manhattan skyscraper. The next morning. I stepped into the lobby dressed in a severe black suit
that felt like
My phone vibrated with Rachel’s final threat: Ready for your lesson, little sister? Today you’ll learn how professionals handle problems -R
I deleted in, straightening my shoulders. The evidence from my mother had
Those letters, now hidden in my briefcase’s lining, might be my only weaned before dawn–letters proving the conspiracy between Rachel and Robert
Come on, Rachel. This time, I’m not that helpless girl anymore.
The elevator opened to reveal Jeffrey Palmer at the far end of a massive table, with Victor Chambers at his right and Rachel lounging with deliberate casualness to his left,
“Sage Winters, Palmer greeted me with practiced warmth. “How kind of you to join us.
Rachel’s smile was a knife aimed at my heart. “Hello, little sister. It’s been too long
Let’s skip
the family
y reunion pretense. What do you want?‘
Rachel leaned forward, eyes glittering with malice. “We thought you might want to discuss a certain police report. Assault with a deadly weapon, Sealed juvenile records that could become… unsealed.”
Palmer slida document across the table. “A simple arrangement. You’ll withdraw as Caspian Drake’s attorney, citing a conflict of interest. You’ll convince him to sign our contract without negotiation.”
“And if I refuse?”
Then your legal career ends, and you might find yourself answering uncomfortable questions about attempted murder,” Rachel threatened.
“Self–defense isn’t murder,” I countered.
“Depends on who’s telling the story, doesn’t it?”
I pulled out my phone. At this moment, Blake Mitchell is meeting with the NFL. Players Association, presenting evidence of your contract manipulation. Amanda Morris is speaking with the Wall Street Journal about your tactics. And Diana Wright is meeting with the Ethics Committee about your blackmail attempts
“Bluffing.” Chambers said dismissively.
‘Check your phone, Mr. Palmer.”
When he glanced at it, his complexion paled.
I withdrew my mother evidence–the
e letters proving Rachel and Robert’s conspiracy. “This is proof that Rachel helped Robert track me down, Conspiracy. Harment. Extortion. How many years is that worth, Rachel?”
Rachel lunged forward, but Chambers caught her arm. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” she hissed.
“Actually, I do. I’ve been dealing with predators my entire life. The difference is now I know how to fight back.”
As the elevator descended, I texted Caspian: It’s done. They blinked first.
His reply came instantly. Proud of you. We’re all waiting. You’re not alone anymore.
I leaned against the wall, exhausted but strangely light. Six years of running, and now I had faced it head–on. The predators had become the hunted.
