Her mother’s favorite necklace burned her skin in a sense of betrayal. Slowly, she unclasped the chain and tucked it into her beaded clutch. It didn’t feel right to wear Mom’s bold motto. She was choosing a different type of relationship, with a man who was steady, trustworthy, and safe. A better type of love. Sierra would commit all she had to make him happy and build a life of stability for both of them.
Calmness settled over her. The final door within slammed closed, shutting out the remnants of hope that her mother would appear and give her all the answers. The tears of grief stuck in her throat as she swallowed them back. From now on, she’d focus on the things she could control and move forward.
Sierra adjusted her veil. Smoothed her palms down her dress. Stepped through the door where her sister waited.
And got married.
One year ago…
Kane Masterson sat in the holding room and waited for the lawyer to spring him from jail.
He clenched his fists to stop the shaking. It was just a mistake. He’d done nothing wrong, and eventually he’d be back in his office while John laughed his ass off about the whole experience, telling him it’d be a great story to tell one day.
His sluggish mind kept repeating the words thrown at him.
You have the right to remain silent…
You have the right to an attorney…
Fraud…
Embezzlement…
A shudder wracked him. He hated the way he felt at this moment; just like he did when he was a kid dealing with filth and violence.
Shamed. Dirty.
A failure.
Kane drew in a breath and calmed his mind. He was a grown-up, dammit. He closed million-dollar deals, wore Armani suits, and was a power player in the most competitive city in the world. He’d worked for Global Investments as the top property developer for a few years now. One mistaken night in jail couldn’t take away his accomplishments.
God, he hoped his brother didn’t find out. Derek needed to focus on himself during rehab, and this would set him off.
The door flung open and a guy in a sharp charcoal suit walked in. His whole presence stunk of lawyer—from the slicked back hair, conservative clothes, and sharp-eyed, predatory gaze. He placed his leather briefcase on the crappy table and reached out his hand.
“Gary Parkers. John sent me.”
Relief coursed through him. “Kane Masterson. Thank God, you’re here. Did you talk to them about the charges? None of them are true—I’m not sure what the hell is going on but I spent the night in here.”
Gary didn’t seem bothered by him locked in a cell with a toilet and dirty cot. He took a seat on the folding chair across, opened his case, and began shuffling papers. Kane would have felt better if the guy had a laptop and immediately apologized about the misunderstanding, but at this point, he didn’t know what was going on in this Black Mirror hell.
“I’ve gone over the charges and spoken with the partners at Global. I’ll be honest here. There aren’t many great options.”
Kane blinked. “What? I’m innocent. I never touched any funds—they’re all John’s accounts.”
Gary looked up. Ice trickled down his spine as Kane realized there was something else going on. Something bigger that he never even considered. And in this moment, his whole life was going to change.
“You had full access,” Gary said sharply. “You were able to move money around and the trail clearly shows large amounts of money being withdrawn and disappearing. Global wants to press full charges. With the evidence they have and their legal team, you’re looking at serving ten to fifteen years.”
Kane shut down the threatening panic and forced his brain to work. It took him a few moments to begin looking at the whole situation with cold rationale. “Gary, are you my lawyer? Or Global’s?”
“Neither. I’m John’s lawyer. I’ve come to offer you a way out.”
He stared at the man’s neutral features; his perfect hair; his thin lips. But it was his eyes that finally gave it away. Shrewd. Manipulative.
The truth hit him like a tsunami.
He’d been framed.
