Page 125 of Redemption

“Again?” I frowned, and then understanding dawned on me. “The proposal.”

“Yes.” She rolled her eyes. “The proposal. If you’d agreed to marry him, all of this unpleasantness could’ve been avoided.”

I blinked a few times, positive I’d misheard her. She was clearly delusional on so many levels. It made me even more grateful that I’d ended things with Edward when I had.

I supposed I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn that he’d never loved me. But if anything, it made sense. It was still disappointing to think that he’d only wanted me for my money, but it didn’t hurt as badly as it should’ve. Because I’d never loved him.

“There are some zip ties in my bag,” Jackson said to me. “Do you think you can grab them?”

I nodded. I went to his bag and pulled them out, watching as he restrained Amelia. He picked up the gun and removed the clip before collecting all the photos from the table and depositing them in his bag.

We stepped into the kitchen, keeping an eye on Amelia the entire time. “What are you going to do now?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

He pulled out his phone. “I’m going to call Vaughn. He’ll send in a team to handle this.”

“Shouldn’t we call the police?”

“Not if we want everyone to see those photos.” He gave me a pointed look. Neither of us wanted that. He was right. It was best to handle this matter quickly and quietly.

“What will happen to her?” I asked.

“What do you want to happen?”

My muscles still quivered, whether from adrenaline or rage, I wasn’t sure. “I want answers.”

He gestured toward the dining table. “Ask her.”

While Jackson spoke to Vaughn in hushed tones, I went over to Amelia. “Was Edward behind the threats?”

“No,” she scoffed. “But when he told me about them, I saw an opportunity.”

“What kind of opportunity?”

“I told him to use the threats to motivate you to move in with him. To marry him.”

I thought back on my interactions with Edward. He’d been pressuring me to move in with him, arguing that I’d be safer. All the while, he’d been trying to manipulate me into doing what he and his sister had wanted. Just so they could get their hands on my money.

Unbelievable.

Then to propose… I understood the desire to save his company. His family’s legacy. But…had he ever cared about me?

I didn’t realize I’d said the last part aloud until Amelia said, “Aw.” She pouted. “You actually thought he cared about you?” She shook her head, but she didn’t look at all remorseful. “I hate to break it to you, but we targeted you. He was playing you the whole time.”

I’d had enough. Whether it was true or not, it didn’t matter. Edward was no longer part of my life. I turned my back on her, keeping an eye on her reflection in the window.

Jackson went to the door and opened it, and a group of three men and a woman streamed in. Damn, that was fast.

“Blackjack.”

“Thanks for coming so quickly. There’s the trash that needs to be disposed of.” He gestured toward Amelia.

Her eyes went wide. “What does that mean? What are you going to do to me?” One of the guys latched on to her arm and pulled her to a standing position. “Where are you taking me?”

“Come on.” They tugged her toward the door.

As they were leaving, one of the Huxley Grand security officers ran inside. “Is everything okay?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “It is now.”