How could she prove a negative? The love she had for Caleb was dead, killed by a thousand cuts and one final blow in an elevator. But the habit of him... that was harder to break.
The next morning, she woke to the smell of coffee.
Julian was already dressed, impeccable in a navy suit. He was standing by the kitchen island, reading a newspaper. An actual paper newspaper.
"Coffee," he said, nodding to a mug on the counter. "Black. I didn't know how you take it."
"Black is fine." Vanessa sat on a barstool, pulling her coat around her like armor.
"Your uncle called my office this morning," Julian said casually, turning a page.
Vanessa froze. "What?"
"He wanted to know if I intended to acquire Sterling Medical. He's nervous." Julian looked at her. "He thinks you're here negotiating a merger."
"I... I don't know anything about the business," Vanessa said.
"You should. It's yours."
Vanessa set the mug down. "It's Richard's. He has power of attorney."
"Only until you turn twenty-five. Or until you get married." Julian folded the paper. "That's why he wants you to marry Caleb. Caleb is weak. Richard can control him. If you marry someone else... Richard loses the empire."
Vanessa stared at him. She knew about the trust, but she had never thought of it as a weapon. She had always thought of it as a cage.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because knowledge is dangerous," Julian said. "And I like dangerous women."
He checked his watch. "I have a meeting. You can stay here until noon. Then Elias will drive you back to the city."
"Back to the city?" Vanessa stood up. "But I haven't fixed things with Caleb. Richard will kill me."
"Let him try," Julian said. He walked over to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the black card he had given her.
"You still have this," he said. "Use it. Buy some clothes. That coat is depressing. And buy some ammunition."
"Ammunition?"
"You're going to help me destroy Caleb Montgomery," Julian said. A small, cruel smile played on his lips. "And in return, I'll give you back your company."
Vanessa looked at the card. Then at Julian.
"Deal," she whispered.
Julian leaned in. For a second, she thought he was going to kiss her. Her breath hitched.
Instead, he whispered in her ear. "Don't disappoint me, Vanessa."
He left. The door clicked shut, locking her in with the scent of cedar and the promise of war.
---
