“And if he has me thrown in jail?”
“He won’t. I promise.” And under the table Dana was crossing her toes even as the words left her lips. She couldn’t know for sure what course of action Rock would take but she felt she knew him well enough to know that in this case he would not harden his heart. And she would do everything in her power to sway him toward leniency.
And, after what they’d shared in the Bahamas, he would take her opinion into account, wouldn’t he? She could only hope so.
“I don’t know, Dana.” Jason shook his head. “I just don’t know.”
Dana could only stare back at Jason, her heart sinking. If he didn’t come forward and confess she would have to give him up. And how could she do that, knowing what she knew?
She closed her eyes and drew in her breath, her heart going tight with the thought: how would this all end?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Four days. Not bad. Rock smiled to himself as he dropped his briefcase on top of his desk. He’d actually thought he’d be gone at least a week and had even told Dana so, but luck was on his side. He’d been able to tie things up last night and fly out that same evening. He’d come into the office early so he could get a head start on the day. He had a lot of catching up to do.
In more ways than one. He was looking forward to seeing Dana. He could hardly believe how she had practically consumed his every waking thought.
Never before had he met a woman who had so captivated his heart, his very being. And he felt reasonably confident that she had strong feelings for him, too. He could hardly wait to see her face when she realized he’d made it back earlier than planned.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. Only seven fifteen. Good. He could get more than an hour’s worth of work done before the staff arrived. He booted up his computer and went to work.
An hour later Rock was absorbed in his task when he heard Dana’s voice drifting in from the outer office. Immediately, his face broke into an involuntary smile. Christ, he wasn’t himself these days, grinning like the Cheshire Cat at the sound of her voice. He must really be in love.
He was making to get up from around his desk, the grin still plastered across his face, when he heard another voice. A man’s voice. It was Jason Blake. What in the blazes-
But then he caught himself. He was being possessive and stupidly jealous and he knew it. The man worked at the company and he would naturally have business to discuss with Dana. Rock sank back down into his chair with a sigh. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Dana off with caveman tactics.
He was settling back into his chair when the strains of conversation reached his ears.
“He’ll be back in a few days, Jason. You have to prepare yourself. Tell him about the money. And don’t worry,” her voice went earnest, as if she were trying to convince him, “I’ll be right by your side. We’ll tell him together.”
The money? Rock’s heart almost stopped. Jason Blake was the thief and Dana was his accomplice? Jesus Christ!
Feeling like he’d just been kicked in the groin Rock could only stare at the solid oak of his closed office door. Dana Daniels, the woman he’d fallen in love with, was working hand in hand with the embezzler? How could this be?
No, this could not be happening. He shook his head to rid himself of the thought. It was preposterous to even think it. Impossible. But then the voices came closer, as if they were standing by Dana’s desk not far from his closed door.
“You’re sure? You have to promise me you can get him to let me down easy. That’s the only way I’ll do this.” Jason’s voice was a plaintive whine.
“Promise. I’ll talk to him. I know he’ll listen to me.” Dana’s voice sounded confident and sure. “Don’t you worry about that part. Just let me handle it. You just do what you have to do.” At her words, a boulder slid to the pit of Rock’s stomach and he felt his heart wrench inside his chest. So what had happened in the Bahamas had all been a farce, a ploy on Dana’s part to soften him up? Here she was, telling her partner in crime that he had nothing to worry about, she would handle things because she knew he would listen to her? So everything, even their love-making had been fake?
The thought made him sick to the stomach.
But then he frowned. Something was not making sense. He’d revealed his knowledge of the embezzlement when they were on their way back to New York, after they’d already made love. Before that, she must have thought their secret was safe so she would have had no reason to sleep with him for special favors.
But then it came to him. Suddenly, he knew exactly what happened. Obviously, she’d felt genuine physical attraction for him and whatever kind of relationship she had with Jason, she’d still gone ahead and satisfied her desire by sleeping with him. Then, once she’d learned that he was aware of the embezzlement, fear of punishment made her decide it was best that they come clean. She knew they’d be caught sooner or later so she was going to use her newly acquired power over him to soften the blow. Or eliminate it all together.
The devious little witch.
But somehow, instead of the rage he knew should be feeling right now, all Rock could feel was pain. This was the woman he loved…had loved. How could he have been so wrong about her?
His heart aching, Rock rose to his feet. Now there was only one thing to do. And for their sake and his, he would be quick and brutal. He crossed the room in five steps and flung the door open. Dana and Jason spun around and they both gasped.
“Rock,” Dana, squeaked, her eyes huge in her face. “What are you doing here?”
“Jesus,” Jason gurgled, his voice a choking whisper.
Rock folded his arms across his chest and his glare was ice cold. “All right, you too. The game’s up,” he said through clenched teeth. “I want you both out of here. Right now. Take your things and go.”
When they both stood frozen in place as if he hadn’t spoken he took a step forward. “I said to get out. Now. I’ll let the police deal with you later.”