This man didn't exist on social media, had no tax records or criminal history. Every report I ordered and stone I turned came back dry. The more I searched,  the more plausible it became that Declan Winters purpose was to stress Omar, which in turn increased his need to feel powerful by fucking with Julian and me.

Could he?

After hours, I buzzed Declan into my office building. Waiting as he exited the elevator, I greeted him with a firm handshake.

Smirking, he commented. "Aren't we formal tonight." His eyes unapolegtically traveling to my chest, partially exposed beneath my business attire.

"I'm just trying to get us off on the right foot before I explain the purpose of this meeting."

"Okay."

He followed me into the office, making himself at home across from my desk.

"I hope this is good news, for instance, approval of my plans."

"If you don't mind, we can talk about that in a minute. I asked to see you because before I can sign off on your project, I need to know more about you and your intentions for Paxton."

"I've told you all you need to know."

"You've told me lies."

He crossed his legs, steepling his fingers as he raised them to his face.

"There isn't anyone connected to you by any relation at Golden Ridge."

Nala and Nya violated every HIPPA law made to get me that information.

"What's your point?" He asked.

"Why would you tell me that?"

"Because I knew it would allow you to be more comfortable with me."

"Why?"

"Because I needed you."

"For what?"

"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't involve you in anything?"

"That's exactly what you did, though."

"I needed to have access to you, Carlisse. That's all. Access is not involvement. But now you've taken this too far, dug too deep and made yourself a pawn in a bigger game than you can imagine."

"I don't even know you."

"Maybe not, but there's someone out there who knows you and your family very well."

"What does my family have to do with this?"

He shrugged.

"Are you even planning to build a facility in Paxton?"

"I am."

"So why the cat and mouse with me and Omar?"

"You're asking questions whose answers are way over your head. Let it go. Just approve the plans and let it go."

I walked around the desk, then leaned against it two feet from where he sat.

"I'm not letting shit go. Tell me what's going on right now or I'm telling Omar everything."

Declan stood. He took off his jacket and loosened his tie. He removed his cufflinks, then unbuttoned the collar of his shirt before speaking again.

"You think he'd do the same for you?"

I answered with false conviction. "I do."

"Then tell me why he's siphoning Julian's college fund into offshore accounts."

"Trust me, he's not that smart."

"He's smarter than you think, but you're too blind to see it. When was the last time you checked your balances?"

"I have accountants for that."

"Like the one he's fucking right under your nose."

"Bullshit."

"Call it what you like, just don't expect it to be a lie."

"How would you know any of this?"

"I told you, I have my ways. But since you're so damn fine, I'll let you in on a little secret."

Declan sat down pulling me into his lap to whisper two sentences that would change my perspective. When I jumped from his grasp to pace across the room, he replied.

"I'm not the only one with secrets."

"Then why are you working so hard to destroy him?"

"Because it's part of the plan."

"But I wasn't."

"As of now, you are. That's why I told you to let it go."

"What about my son, my father?"

He shrugged again.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"Sign the plans."

Shaking, I opened the portfolio, writing my name before stamping approval on the New Horizons facility.

"Here." I handed him a small stack of paperwork. "Before this can officially be recorded with the county, I need your signature to verify approval of my adjustments."

After he failed to accept the documents, I loosened the top button of my low cut jacket, then leaned over to his seat. Urging him to act, I muttered.

"Let's end our business on a good note shall we?"

A malicious grin crossed his face. Pushing me aside, he quickly flipped to sign each page. After laying down the pen, he yanked me into his arms.

"I'm sorry we have to end this at all."

"Yeah, don't be."

"But I am. In a different world I could see you and I doing great things."

I replied. "I bet you say that to all the girls."

He chuckled, then kissed me with all of his might, rubbing my breasts as he fondled between my legs. Just before he reached beneath my panties, my phone rang. Relieved, I leaned back to answer. Pushing Declan away,  I waved him out of my office. The moment the elevator doors closed I ended the call.

Heading to the window, I watched him exit the building, then get into his car. Our interaction had left me in a weird space, but also within an eerily calm state of mind. There was nothing that could be changed now.

So, I grabbed my keys, made a few stops on the way home, packed Julian an overnight bag, then closed our bedroom door to tell the man in my life what I had learned.