Page 81 of Stolen Hearts

And her heart launched into her ribs with a hard thud.

A note written in her father’s scrawling handwriting.

Her breath caught. Goose bumps rolled up her forearms.

Rhae,

If you're reading this, then something has happened. I never wanted you to carry this burden, but you’ve always been braver than I gave you credit for. You must be careful. Trust no one tied to my business. Especially Ravencroft. If anything goes wrong, it will be him. He always had designs far beyond our agreements. If he comes for you, run.

Her breath trickled out in a weak rush. Her father knew to warn her.

But of what?

Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes. Her father had tried to protect her, but what would make him leave a note in such an obscure place?

She turned the files over and read the name on the tab again: Pearl. Of course. Why hadn’t she realized it before? Pearl was her grandmother’s name. He knew if she came looking, the name would stand out to her.

Her heart thundered fast. Was it possible the file was a decoy? A fake way to convey information to Rhae?

She searched the documents again, but there was no other connection to her family in the contract or invoices.

What did her father want her to know? That note made it sound like he knew his life was in danger.

A faint creak on the floorboards outside the study door had her snapping the file shut and stuffing the sticky note in her pocket. Just as the door opened, she stood to face whoever was entering.

Ravencroft stood in the doorway.

Dressed in his usual tailored gray suit, he looked totally out of place among the collection of worn, well-loved things.

Her throat clicked on a hard swallow as she watched the man obviously calling the shots.

Not for long.

She tilted her jaw and met his stare. It was time to throw out all the stops. “My father left me a note.”

Ravencroft didn’t immediately respond. He stepped inside and quietly closed the door. “I was wondering when you’d find one of your father’s notes. He left enough of them. I thought I got them all—where did you find it?”

Her mind whirled. “There were more?”

He started toward her. She cast around on the desk for some object to defend herself. A paperweight or a letter opener. But there was only a book and a framed photo of her in high school.

“He warned me about you,” she told him.

“Of course he did.” His tone was buttery smooth. “But it changes nothing, Rhae.”

Suddenly, realization broke over her like an icy wave. She felt the undertow tearing at her footing.

“You killed them.” The words left her mouth before her mind caught up to the meaning. Her voice cracked but didn’t falter. “You killed my parents. You orchestrated it all. To get me?”

He tilted his head as if considering whether to deny it.

Then he shrugged.

“They were in the way. Edward planned to take off with you and your mother. To disappear with you. He wanted to protect you. I wanted to own you.”

Bile rocketed up her throat. Her heart thundered.

“You watched me grow up! I was a child!”

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