Page 58 of Beautiful Revenge
And I’ve never wanted anyone. Not like this.
She breaks through my illogical thoughts. “We were on ashort getaway in the Maldives. We had a few days free in our work schedules, so Albert arranged it. We were getting ready to check out of our villa to meet the plane. He was in the shower when an email alert came across his phone that was sitting on the dresser next to where I was getting ready. The subject referred to the African safari, so I assumed it was our honeymoon. We both travel a lot, so we had decided to do something out of the norm for each of us. The safari was his idea.”
She’s talking and sharing. I could sit and listen to her talk all day. I have to fight for patience for the story to unfold as she wants to tell it.
“You opened the email,” I assume.
She shrugs. “I thought it was about our honeymoon. We were waiting on his travel agent to get back with us about the specifics. So, yes, I opened the email, even though it was from an account I’d never seen before. Albert never gave me a reason to believe he was hiding anything from me. He’d given me the passwords to his phone and his laptop. He discussed everything with me—even his family business when our families were rivals in the worst possible ways.”
It's everything I can do to keep my tone even and controlled. “What was the email about?”
“It was about the safari, but it was also about me and an accident—one that would end my life.”
I didn’t think it was possible for my hold on her to tighten farther. “What the fuck?”
“Yes, what the fuck, indeed. At first, I was confused. Hell, I was shocked. So shocked, I didn’t know what to do. The memory is still raw and painful.”
Harlow relives the nightmare and admits why she did what she did, why she’s still here, and how I came to be holding the billionaire heiress inmy arms.
Harlow
About seven weeks ago...
Mr. Humphries,
I have tried to reach you by phone for two days, but couldn’t get through, so I’m writing to let you know we received your wire payment. As I said, we do not usually do business with Americans, and never American banks, but since this is from the Caymens, we’re allowing it. I appreciate your discretion and generous compensation for our services.
Arrangements have been made, and as per our phone conversation, cannot be reversed once payment has been received. Once you and your wife arrive in Tanzania, plans will be carried out on day three of your stay. While you are away to manage your business crisis, the security team detail will change shifts. Crime is not uncommon on the roads to and from town. It will be tragic, but also common enough no one will question that the event is anything other than an accident.
Consider this our last form of communication, as the arrangement is set. We are good at what we do and never miss a mark. I can assure you, Mr. Humphries, you will get what you paid for and leave Africa as a widower. One last reminder, I trust you to protect my identity if you want this transaction kept private. Those who have tested me in the past did not fare well.
Regards,
Jaco
“Sweetheart?” Albert calls from the bathroom. “I forgot a towel. Grab me one, will you?”
I jerk and almost drop Albert’s cell to the tile floor. A cold sweat breaks out over my skin and my fingers tremble.
Shit.
“Harlow?” he yells louder. “Are you out there?”
“Yeah,” my voice cracks, and I clear my throat as my fingers tap over the screen as fast as I can force them. “Hang on. I’m on FaceTime with Chrissie. We finally got service back.”
My ass hits the edge of the bed. I swallow back emotions I’ve never experienced before.
“It’s about fucking time. I’m expecting an important call. I have so much to catch up on.”
An important call.
I’ll say.
I hear the water of the shower flip off. My heart speeds to a mile a minute as I go back to the inbox. Not one other email. I do what I need todo, delete the email I just forwarded from his account and mark it as unread, pray it’s enough, and put the cell to sleep before I place it exactly where he left it.
I look into the mirror at my shocked, pale face and drag a hand through my hair.
Get your shit together, Harlow. You can make it one flight back to the States before you fall apart.
