by Anna James
“You can bet both Hayden and I will gather the support we need to request a special shareholders meeting for that purpose. I can’t prove Sandra’s involvement in any of this, but if the RS Holdings accounts are under the Gagnon umbrella, it’s enough.”
“I think I can help, on both accounts, if my purse is still at the hotel.”
“It’s with Emma along with your luggage and other personal items. She found it in the bedroom when we went to your hotel room.”
“Good. I have a jump drive in the zipped pocket. It contains a copy of the files from Ryan’s computer. I have something else, too. Sandra indicated Ryan tried to blackmail her. I believe he found her offshore account numbers. I have his documentation with the account numbers and deposit and withdrawal history for at least six months. If the offshore accounts are in her name and we can match these up with the donations funneled through the Hope Foundation, I believe the Feds will have more than enough to convict her on money laundering charges. It’s all at my house, in Ryan’s office in the file cabinet. All we need to do is get the information to the authorities.”
“You’re amazing.”
He kissed her again, and she kissed him back with all the love she had in her heart. “I’m sorry,” she blurted when he eased back a moment later. “I shouldn’t have run out on you. You were right. About Ryan, the kickbacks, the car incidents, everything.”
“I’m the sorry one. I should have told you the truth a long time ago. You deserved to know.”
She nodded. “I understand you wanted to protect me, but you’re right. I did need to know.”
“I never believed you were involved in Ryan’s illegal activities.”
She smiled. “Not even when you saw the picture of me Curtis switched out when your father requested the security image from the London branch?”
“How did you—”
“Sandra. She hadn’t known about the account either. Not until a few months ago.”
Ethan shook his head. “Right around the time I asked Curtis to monitor it. He must have told her, but if she didn’t know about the account, then who has been accessing it over the last few years?”
“Connie and Frank, at least they’re who I believe made the withdrawals. They’ve been removing money from Ryan’s offshore account, too. I think that’s why they’ve made so many trips to the Bahamas since Ryan’s death.”
“They’ll get the surprise of their lives the next time they try. The authorities are now aware and are watching to see who tries to withdraw the money.”
Rachel sighed. “It won’t be easy explaining all of this to Emma.”
“I can help you.”
Her heart soared. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Tell him what he means to you. “I love you, Ethan. I know I screwed up, and I’m so, so sorry.”
“I love you, too, Rachel. I never stopped. I’ve been waiting for you to forgive me and… What’s wrong, sweetheart? Don’t cry, please don’t cry. Whatever I said to upset you, I’m sorry.”
“You indicated you never stopped loving me.”
His brows furrowed. “I didn’t.”
“Then why did you get back together with Sandra?”
“What are you talking about? I never got back together with her. Why would I? I told you months ago, any feelings I had for her ended when I found out she cheated on me.”
“But I saw… And she told me…” The image of Sandra ambling out of Ethan’s office flashed in her brain. She’d waited for hours before Curtis finally brought her back to see Ethan. And just in time to see Sandra leaving. Sandra admitted she’d been trying to keep them apart for months. What better way to ensure Rachel stay away than to make her believe Sandra and Ethan had gotten back together? “They set me up, and I fell for it. I can’t believe it. What an idiot I’ve been.” Laughter bubbled up inside her and escaped from her parted lips.
“You’re not making any sense, Rachel.”
Rachel linked her good hand with his and recounted the incident with Sandra the day she’d gone to Montgomery International.
Ethan’s lips compressed into a thin, tight line. “When did this happen?”
“I’m sorry, Ethan. I should have known better.”
“I left for Paris three days after you walked out, and I didn’t return until two days before I ran into you and Emma in the diner. I’m not mad at you. I’m furious with myself. When I think—”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. Sandra has been trying to keep us apart ever since you came back to New York. She worried if we got together we’d somehow figure out what she’d been up to, and she couldn’t risk our finding out.”
“What a mess. I’m so sorry—”
She laughed. “We seem to say that a lot to each other.”
He nodded. “Maybe I should try something new. I love you, Rachel. Will you marry me?”
She smiled and gazed up at him, her heart overflowing with love. “Yes, Ethan, oh yes. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do more.”
His lips pressed against hers, and Rachel gave herself up to the blissful pleasure of his kiss.
“When?”
“I want to wait until my mother can be here. I need her to be a part of the celebration.”
“What about your father?”
She shook her head. “He’s gone. Cancer.”
“Oh, Rachel. Were you able to see him before he passed?”
“I did, but it didn’t make a difference. He couldn’t forgive me, but I’m glad I went to see them because I got my mother back.”
“I’m glad she’s in your life again. I know you’ve missed her.”
Rachel nodded. “So you’re okay with waiting? She’ll be here for Christmas.”
“A Christmas wedding… sounds perfect.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small jeweler’s box and opened it. “This is for you.”
“Oh, Ethan, it’s gorgeous.” The large, center-cut, solitary diamond sat high on a plain platinum band, simple and elegant at the same time.
He held up her casted hand and squeezed. “I hope you’ll have this off soon and can wear it by the time we walk down the aisle.”
She smiled up at him. “I’d better. The ring is stunning. Where did you get it?”
“In Paris. On this last trip.”
“But we weren’t even together.”
Ethan smiled. “It was only a matter of time until I made you see. We’re perfect together.”
Yes, he’d looked past the shell of hurt and rejection she’d formed over the years and saw the real Rachel, the person worthy of being loved.
Rachel hadn’t been able to see her until now. Even after her father’s death, she hadn’t fully believed. If she had, Sandra wouldn’t have been able to pull the wool over her eyes. Ethan hadn’t been fooled. She brushed her lips over his. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For never giving up on us, no matter what I said.”
Ethan laughed. “Honey, you never stood a chance. I fell in love with you thirteen years ago on those evenings we walked back to the dorms together. I screwed up the first time and let you walk away. Marry someone else. No way would I let it happen again.
“I’d been in a rut before you came back into my life. Happy to have my career and no commitments. Then you came along and showed me I could have more. Now I have you and Emma, and I’ve never been happier.
“We belong together, and I’ll never let you go.”
Rachel smiled, content in the knowledge she now had everything she’d ever wanted.
She had Ethan, the man who found her worthy, who loved her as much as she loved him. Yes, she’d gotten everything. Everything that mattered most in life.
The End
About Anna James
Anna James writes contemporary romance novels with strong, confident heroes and heroines who conquer life’s trials and find their happily ever after. While she’s been writing for years, her first published story released in 2010. Since then, Ann
a has penned five novels, seven novellas and one short story.
She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America), CTRWA (Connecticut Romance Writers of America) and CORW (Charter Oak Romance Writers).
Anna is married to a wonderful husband who spends countless hours picking up the slack around the house so she can pursue her dream of writing, is the proud mother of five fabulous children, and a big, loveable rescue dog the entire family adores.
Although she’s lived in several locations throughout her life she now calls Connecticut home. When not writing, reading, or plotting, she can be found spending time with family and friends.
You can learn more about Anna James at: www.authorannajames.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annajames.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorannajames or at her email: [email protected]
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Books by Anna James
KEEPING HER GUILTY SECRET – Book 1 Forever Yours Trilogy
A LOVE WORTH SAVING – Book 2 Forever Yours Trilogy
THE ILLUSION OF LOVE – Book 3 Forever Your Trilogy (Coming Soon)
THE BUSINESS OF LOVE – Book 1 Forevermore Series
CHASING MEMORIES – Book 2 Forevermore Series
BANKING ON LOVE
