Chapter Five

The inside of the Maybach was too quiet. It was like a space that sucked all the air out of my lungs when the heavy doors of the car closed us away from all the noise of the press. Outside people were yelling; inside all I could hear was the sound of Julians watch ticking away.

Julian did not look at me. He sat still like a statue, with his hands on his knees. I could see a vein beating in his neck. I had surprised him. For a man like Julian Vane being surprised is a big mistake.

"You are good at making moves Elena " he said finally. His voice was low and scary. It made the hair on my arms stand up. ". A move only works if you can handle what happens next. You just let the world into a room that I spent a lot of time keeping closed."

"The door was already open Julian " I said, my voice shaking. I turned to face him. I made myself look into his cold blue eyes. "Your father was going to use me to hurt you in front of the cameras. I did not just save myself. I saved your company."

Julians hand moved fast. He did not hit me; instead he put his hand on the back of my neck and his thumb pressed on the skin behind my ear. It was not a touch; it was a reminder of who was in charge.

"I do not need someone to save me Elena. I need someone who understands that every word is like a bullet. You just fired a shot without knowing where the other dangers are hiding."

He leaned in close. His smell. Something sharp, like lightning and expensive soap. Was overwhelming. "My father does not play by the rules of the press. He plays by his rules. You think you are safe because the cameras are watching? That just makes it more profitable for him."

By the time we got to the Vane Tower,the tension was thick like something I could feel in the back of my throat. Julian led me through the entrance his grip on my arm tight telling the security teams that I was still under his protection.

Sarah was waiting in the penthouse. She was not being my friend anymore; she was being cold and efficient. It made me want to wash my skin. She gave me a suit. Grey, sharp-shouldered and totally boring.

"The board is in the conference room " she said, her voice cold. She would not even look me in the eye. "Vivienne has been there for twenty minutes. She has already told the press what she thinks."

"Leave us Sarah " Julian said.

As she left,I felt how tired I was. I sat down in one of the leather chairs and the emerald dress felt like it was weighing me down.

"Go change " Julian said, his back to me as he looked out at the desert. "The board needs to see a woman who's in control not a victim of a scandal. Wear the grey suit; it will hide your sweat."

The boardroom was like a tomb. All glass and dark wood. Arthur Vane sat at the head of the table his face not showing any feelings his eyes watching my every move as I sat down next to Julian. Across from us,Vivienne looked like a doll but her eyes were red with anger.

The next hour was a blur. Lawyers talking about agreements and PR people trying to spin the "St. Judes connection" into a story of friendship. I sat there like a ghost realizing that to these people I was not a person.

As the meeting ended Vivienne stayed. She waited until the lawyers had left leaving the three of us in a room of hate.

"You think you are so smart don't you?" Vivienne whispered, her voice sharp. She pulled out a brown envelope and slid it toward me. "The truth you told the cameras? You might want to read the print before you start your little fight."

Julians hand moved fast. I got to the envelope first. My fingers shook as I opened it.

"Check the dates, Elena " Vivienne hissed, a smile on her face. "Julian told you he found your father a weeks ago. Check the money transfers. He has been paying for Silas care since the day he went to jail five years ago. He did not rescue him; he bought him."

I looked at the papers. Bank statements, money transfers. A private account linked to a Vane company paying fees to a hospital I had never heard of. Dated years before Julian ever came back into my life.

The room started to spin. I looked at Julian. He did not look guilty; he did not look sorry. He looked like an artist who had just finished a masterpiece.

"Is this true?" I whispered, the paper shaking in my hand. "You have had him this time?"

Julian stood up the chair scraping against the floor. He walked around the table stopping inches from me. He did not deny it; he did not even try to lie.

"I told you I was taking care of everything, Elena " he said, his voice soft and scary. "I told you I was providing for you. I just did not think you were ready to see the cost."

I stood up the grey suit feeling like a trap. I did not look at Viviennes smug grin. I did not look at Julians cold blue eyes. I just grabbed my bag. Walked out.

I did not take the elevator. I took the stairs my heels echoing in the concrete, like gunshots. I needed to feel my heart beating; I needed to feel something that he had not planned for me.