Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
HOPE
Jules
“You know her?” I ask after Omar shows me the bank records, the email, the evidence that my father threatened a very rich and powerful person in the days before his death. Evidence that never saw the light of day at my trial.
I waited until I’d changed and dried off before I let myself sit down and look through it all. I climbed into the shower and cried with relief that Omar’s arms were still open to me and that he hadn’t just forgiven me, he was trying to help me.
This is the first piece of new evidence I’ve come across in nearly fifteen years. I can’t believe Omar has a connection to these people.
“I know her son.”
“Do you like him?”
“He’s someone I admire tremendously. He comes from a family that owns one of the largest manufacturers of fragrances—their scents are used in everything from high-end perfume to air fresheners and cleaning products. I invested in a project with her son, Noah, in 2019. Silent investor, but yes. He lives in Las Vegas, but the company’s headquarters are in Houston.”
“Where you were living?”
“Yes, where I have a home. His parents live in my neighborhood—but in the towers. She’s notoriously reclusive.”
“Who runs the company?”
“His father does. But Noah has a commercial development business, and that’s who I invested with. The project I invested in—a stadium—was complete before I left, and my investment is being returned with the interest on the schedule we agreed upon.”
“Do you have any pictures of her? Maybe I’ve seen her before around the shop or something.”
“No, there are hundreds of photographs of her husband, Noah, his sister and youngest brother, but she’s never photographed with them, at least not in public.”
“Is she British?”
“Not as far as I can tell. The company biography says she’s a Houston native.”
“So, what, my father was blackmailing her? For what?”
“I don’t know, but we can find out.”
“How? I doubt she’ll tell us on the phone.”
“I can’t imagine it either. And we need to catch them unaware. If his wife made regular visits to the UK, then he’ll know it. They’ve got another project—a multi-use structure in Rivers Wilde, the enclave where I life. They’re raising capital for it. I’m going to email him and express an interest in it. I’ll ask for a meeting in Houston, they’re really big on making deals that feel like they’re being done with a handshake. Every meeting we had was at their home—over breakfast or lunch.”
“Are you interested in the project and going back to Houston? You said wild horses couldn’t drag you back there.”
“They can’t. But my love for you can.”
I’m panting again. Breathless with gratitude for this man who loves me. But afraid that he’s hoping for something that won’t manifest.
“What if we can’t get what we need? I’ve got my tribunal hearing in a month.”
“What tribunal?” He looks startled, and I realize I haven’t told him what brought me here in the first place.
“I resigned today. It was good of them to let me instead of giving me the sack I deserve.”
“Is that why your email bounced back?”
I nod miserably.
“Wait, did that motherfucker out you?” He shoots to his feet like he’s about to run out of the house and go find him.
I put a hand on his arm. “No, no. I went in myself and told Mr. Bone everything. You were right. It was wrong. And as long as I was living that lie, he’d always have a hold on me.”
He runs a hand over his face. “What did Mr. Bone say?”
“He was kind, but his hands were tied. He had to let me resign, and the tribunal, despite giving the appearance of being an opportunity to plead my case, is a mere formality. I have a month. But he’s offered to let me clerk there while I figure out what’s next.” The offer that made me so happy earlier leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. “I’m grateful, but being a clerk in the same place I used to be a barrister might be too hard.”
He winces and blows out a harsh breath. “Beat, I’m so sorry. Shit.”
“Me, too. I came here because I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I wasn’t sure if you’d have me, and I don’t want you to feel like that you owe me anything.”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Come on, you think we found this love, this friendship, this home in each other just to walk away from it when things are hard?”
My chin trembles, and I squeeze my eyes shut. My immense relief makes me dizzy. I drop my face into my hands and shake my head at how close I came to losing my biggest blessing. This experience has scared me straight.
“Jules, are you okay?”
I nod and lift my head to look him in the eye. And as soon as I do, my racing heart slows, and a smile I didn’t think I’d find again tugs at both sides of my mouth until it hurts.
The tension that furrowed his brow and tightened his jaw eases, and he smiles. It’s weary, but it’s true.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I lied to you. It won’t happen again. Your trust is priceless, and I hope I can earn it back.”
He jerks his chin back and shakes his head. “I trust you, Jules.”
I draw in a huge breath and press my lips together to stop them from trembling. I blink to clear my tear-blurred vision, and he wipes the small stream of tears off each cheek with his thumb. “I was angry and terrified.” He picks up my hand and laces our fingers together. “I know you’re sorry. I forgive you for it. I believe you.”
I close my eyes again and cover my mouth with my free hand to muffle my sob. I didn’t realize I needed to know he did until he said it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my heart. And I think you deserve some good to come your way without you having to bleed for it. So whatever I can do to ease your path, I will.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for coming home. Thank you for looking after Beat.”
I close one eye and look at him sideways. “Looking after myself? ”
“The cat. That’s what I named her.”
“Oh my God, you didn’t.”
He grins. “I absolutely did. After her mama, my heartbeat.”
My head falls back on a carefree laugh. I cup his face and lean forward to kiss him, quickly. I can’t believe I’m touching him. “Oh my God, you…where did you come from?”
“It doesn’t matter where either of us came from. All that matters is where we’re going, together.” He straightens suddenly, drops my hand, and sits back and picks up the notebook that’s been between us on the couch. His expression is all business now. “Let’s get business out of the way so we can make up for lost time.” He frowns. “Wait, is Conrad still in your place?”
I can’t wait to never have to hear or say his name again. I nod grimly. “The money from the shares I sold will hit my account tomorrow. That’s what he’s waiting for.”
“We’ll sort him out. But first, important things. Do you have a passport?”
“Yes. I can travel as a visitor to the United States, but with my conviction, I’ll never be able to live there permanently.”
“We’re going to get that conviction overturned. We have several solid leads. We’ll get over that mountain, baby. And until we do, we’ll be in London. We love it here.”
“Do we?” I ask, skeptical of his enthusiasm.
“Yes. We do.” But I get the feeling I’m not the only person he’s trying to convince.
“Okay.”
He nods once and closes his notebook. “Now I’m going to email Noah, get our tickets booked, and let my sister know I’m coming. Then I’ve got an errand to run.”
“Are you driving?” I ask.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Can I come with you? I have something I need to do.”