Page 8 of Blackmailing the Bad Girl

“I have a position in mind. And since you clearly have a quick brain, I’m sure it will be within your capabilities.”

“And if I don’t want to work for you…?”

“Then I take that file to the police.”

“That’s blackmail.”

“But for a good cause.”

“So you think breaking the law for a good cause makes it okay? The end justifies the means?”

Why did he think that was a loaded question? “In some cases.”

“You mean if it’syoudoing the breaking? It’s a little like the dress code—one rule for you and one for the rest of the world. You have a lot of double standards, Mr. Masterton.”

Christ, why had he ever thought she was sweet? She was like a pit bull. “Call me Nik. And it’s not me we’re discussing here.”

She sniffed. “Very convenient. So, what’s the good cause?”

“The rehabilitation of Summer Delaney.”

Shock flashed across her face, her blue eyes widening. “You’re kidding?”

“Nope.”

“You want to rehabilitate me? What are you? Some sort of do-gooder?”

“I see it as my duty. I don’t want to send you back to prison—though I will, if you leave me no options. But at the same time, I can hardly release you on the unsuspecting world. I doubt stealing the money from me was your first offense. Because we both know it wasn’t your last.”

Something flickered across her face—worry maybe—and he knew he was right. “So,” he continued, “knowing you’re likely to do the same thing all over again, it’s my duty to save my fellow rich men from you. And you from yourself.”

“Excuse me while I throw up.”

His lips twitched. “Luckily, you have a plastic bag on your knee. Please use it and don’t mess up my expensive car.”

“It’s not as if you would have to clean it.” They were both quiet for a minute. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“My office.”

“Is that a good idea? What if someone recognizes me? Someone without your altruistic tendencies who might go to the police?”

“It’s unlikely. The crime was never reported. Only the head of finance knows about your not-so-little scam, and he won’t talk. And the head of HR knows a little. She had to cover for your sudden disappearance. She noted it as a death in the family, I believe.”

“I’ll have to clear it with my parole officer.”

“I’m sure that will be no problem. We’re actually quite a respectable company.”

“Yeah. Aren’t they all.”

She sounded bitter. “Do you have a reason to hate big corporations, Summer?”

“None of your business.”

“I’m making it my business. For the next little while, however long it takes for me to be sure you are going to change your ways, everything about you is my business.”

“Then no. I have no reason.” She gave him a tight little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Anything else?”

Oh yeah. He wanted to know everything about her. She fascinated him. Such a mass of contradictions. So small and delicate, but with a core of steel. A seemingly innocent compulsive liar with the morals of a hardened criminal.

Maybe Harry was right and he should just wash his hands of her. Either send the file to the police—she’d no doubt be arrested again and locked away for a good while longer—or just let her walk away. Give her some freedom, and if she went back to her old ways, it shouldn’t mean anything to him.

Except it did. And he had no clue why he cared.

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