Page 92 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

Instead, I took a couple of steps away from her. “I’m not going back.”

My mother’s eyes narrowed. “Is this because of him? If you knew what he did, trust me, you’d run for the hills as fast as you can.”

“Is this about his dad?” I raised my voice. “I know what he did.But Alec is a good man. He’s honest and dependable. He’s not his dad, and definitely not who you think he is.”

“How did you think I found out about that latest hypo?”

I gaped at her. “What?”

“He freaked out and told Eric. Told him to come and get you.”

I went completely still. That couldn’t be true. He was the epitome of cool, calm, and collected that night. Pricked my finger, patiently waited with me until I was fine. The total opposite of freaking out.

But… hewasthe only one who knew about it.

She nodded at my stunned expression. “Didn’t know that, did you? That honest, dependable Alec isn’t as trustworthy as you think?”

My stomach churned, and I felt like I was about to throw up. “He wouldn’t do that.”

“He did. Look, while we’re revealing secrets, I have something else to tell you. I think it’s time you found out.”

Bile rose in my throat.What now?I’d had my quota of horrible news for two lifetimes, and I didn’t think I could bear any more.

“Did he tell you why he left ten years ago?” At my confused look, she reached into her handbag and pulled out some folded papers. “Of course he didn’t. Here. Read this.”

I eyed the papers as if a three-headed monster was going to magically emerge and bite my head off at any second. My first instinct was to push the papers away, but curiosity got the better of me. I slowly unfolded them, afraid of what was to come. As I scanned the official-looking document, a sharp pain sliced through my chest.

It was a confidential agreement, dated ten years ago, between Alec and my parents. To be exact, one week afterthat incident, specifying that my parents would pay the Mackenzies a sum of three million dollars if he agreed to sever all contact with me for the foreseeable future.Forever.It was a legally binding contract,in boring, wordy legalese, with lawfully enforceable consequences. My parents had signed it. A lawyer had signed it.

Hehad signed it.

I blinked twice. Maybe I’d read it wrong. But no, even after flicking through the pages repeatedly, rereading it until I could probably recite all the words by heart, they still spelled out the exact same thing. His name was on it, and so was his signature.

My parents had bribed Alec with three million dollarsto stay away from me.

And he hadtaken the Goddamn money.

Thoughts and questions swirled around in my head, and lumps of anger clogged my throat. This couldn’t be right. Alec wouldn’t do that, would he?

Would he?

“He obviously broke the agreement,” my mother said, as my eyes drifted back to her in disbelief. “The terms specifically said he’s not allowed to be in your immediate vicinity, or he could be liable for breach of contract. We’ll be taking him to court, and the judge will rule him guilty faster than you can say ‘three million.’”

I glanced at the papers in my hand, then back at her, refusing to believe her words.

“No. You made this up. He said he left to chase job opportunities here. He’s the most decent, hardworking man I’ve ever met.”

My mother sighed and shook her head. “You don’t believe me? Fine. Go ahead and ask him. I’ll be staying at the Plaza Hotel if you need to find me.”

CHAPTER 27I Don’t Know How to Quit You

The Mackenzie Constructions office was fifteen minutes away from the bakery, in a converted warehouse on the outskirts of the city. My CR-V screeched to a halt in front of the building, and without bothering to properly park in a vacant spot, I killed the ignition, slammed the door, and marched inside. A young woman at reception was slinging her bag over her shoulder, getting ready to leave the office. She beamed at me when I told her my name.

“Ellie? So glad to finally meet you.” She pointed to a corridor leading to a series of doors on her left. “His office is the first door at the very end. Just go right ahead.”

Nodding my thanks, I took off in that direction. I could hear muffled voices as I approached, recognizing the second voice as Rob’s when I got closer.

“… so mopey the whole day, man. Want to talk about it?”

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