Page 39 of Culmination
“It’s funny, finding you here together. Andrew had commented before on wishing his daughter would find a man of your character. I believe he’d much approve of your being together.”
It’s none of his business, and I have the urge to tell him so, but I resist because I have to keep this man on our side. Brie squirms next to me, and while I have the urge to comfort her, I don’t break our stare.
“If he told you of our working relationship, why did he not inform me of yours?” I already know the answer. I just need the man to confirm it.
“Surely you can figure that one out for yourself,” he says.
I’m stoic in my response. “Humor me, Wentworth.”
Finally, he lets out a breath and plays into my hand. “I was not only working on how to make a case against Theo, but also compiling enough compelling evidence for Mr. Latham to receive full immunity when this went to trial.”
“We’d already offered him immunity. What more could you do for him?”
He gives me a droll stare. “Come on, Matthews. I imagine you’ve played this game before. I certainly have. We’ve both seen enough whistleblowers end up with heat on their backs when the government couldn’t land the big one. Yes, Latham was cooperating with you. He was also setting up his own safety net should the mighty not fall.”
Which is precisely what I figured. However, I’d have been a fool to hand over the code without at least a simple line of questioning.
Wentworth leans back in his chair. “Look, Matthews, I’m already aware of what’s in the box. It’s of no use to me now that Latham is deceased.” He grimaces when he sees the color draining from Brie’s cheeks. He clears his throat then looks back at me. “I just can’t access it. And to be honest, I don’t want to. As soon as the contents are out of my office, I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief I’ve been holding for quite a long time.” His gaze remains locked on mine, and I don’t miss the warning in them. “We both know dangerous people would do anything within their mighty power to get their hands on it.”
I nod then look at Brie. “Well?” I ask, wanting to take control of the situation but knowing I have to leave the ball in her court.
Her eyes water and she blinks the tears away. “My dad trusted him, Rafe. We have to trust him, too. Why else would Dad lead us here?”
She’s right, and I have to trust in her instincts.
Brie bends down to grab her purse, but she stops and rights herself. “Mr. Wentworth, if you don’t mind, could we have some privacy? I…” She rests her hand on her belly. “I’m pregnant and prone to bouts of emotion. You may know what’s in the box, but I have no clue what I’m about to uncover. And… I…I’d like to be alone, with Rafe, when I do.”
Wentworth’s eyes soften, and he gives her a nod. “Of course, Gabriella.” He glances between the two of us. “And congratulations. If something good can come from this nightmare, that’s about the best thing I can think of. Being a parent is the greatest joy I’ve ever known, and with the examples you had, I know you’ll be a fine mother.”
Tears glisten in her eyes and she’s quick to wipe one away before it can spill onto her cheek. “See? Emotional.” She laughs. “Thank you, Mr. Wentworth. Your words mean a lot.”’
He rises from the table. “Take as much time as you need. The box is yours, so if you want to go through it here or at a later time, somewhere else, that’s fine as well. When you’re ready to leave, just hit the buzzer by the door, and I’ll come back and fetch you.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
Silence fills the room, continuing long after Wentworth has left us alone.
“Baby?” I prod gently.
I’m conflicted. Possibly more than I’ve ever been in my life. I want to give Brie all the time in the world until she’s ready to leave. Yet, at the same time, I want this over with as soon as possible. To get out of this place because who knows if anyone’s on the edge of our heels or not.
Her wide eyes search mine. “This is it, Rafe. What we’ve been searching for. What may put an end to all of this,” she whispers, her fingers trailing the edges of the box. “What if I’m not strong enough to do this?”
I take her free hand in mine. “Brie, I want to give you platitudes. To say it doesn’t matter. That I’ll be strong for both of us. But the truth is youarestrong. More than you give yourself credit for.”
She half scoffs, half laughs as if she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. “How can you think that? I haven’t been strong since my parents were killed. I’m only strong now because I have you.”
“While I appreciate the sentiment, babe, that’s simply not true. Yours is a strong built in silence, but that doesn’t make it any less fierce.”
“God, I love you,” she whispers.
My hand comes up to grip her cheek and I bring our foreheads together, our gazes locked. “And I love you. More than I ever thought I could ever possibly love another human being. We’re in this together, Brie. We’ll be strongtogether. Always.”
RAFE’S WORDS ECHO INmy head. He’s wrong, even though I know he desperately wants to be right. I’m not strong. At least, not on my own. If I’ve found any strength, it’s because of him.
Though, in retrospect, maybe that’s not true. Perhaps if he hadn’t swooped in like some knight in shining armor, this damsel in distress would’ve been able to save herself. I mean, I planned on leaving Adrian. Rafe just happened to help a bit.
Either way, I’m a stronger woman than I was two months ago. Hell, much stronger than two years ago, and if it’s because of Rafe, I don’t mind. I’m not one of those girls who needs to stand on her own two feet, gung-ho and kick-ass enough to take care of herself. I know that about myself. And something about that makes me realize that maybe Rafe is right. Iamstrong enough to know it’s okay to lean on the person you love. For their strength to become yours. Instead of forcing it, Rafe gives me that choice. I can lean on him or I can go it alone.
