I glanced through the papers Greg handed me, noting two things: the numbered company and the offer. Surprisingly, it was near market value, but considering how long I had held onto it, and my new plans, I wasn’t interested.I shook my head. “No.”“You want to counter?”“No, I’ve decided not to sell, no matter the offer.”He paused, tapping his pen on the desk, his words measured. “To this company or in general?”“It’s not for sale to anyone.”Greg stared at me, the office filled with stony silence. “What are you playing at, Bentley?” he finally asked.“Playing at? Nothing. I’ve decided not to sell the land. I’m going to develop it with a new plan in mind.”“And what plan is that?” He threw his pen on top of the papers.“A new concept.”His fingers drummed on the desk. “That’s not what you said when you left here last week. You were done with this project. You were damned vocal about it. I could hear you cursing in the elevator.”I shrugged. “Things changed. I calmed down. We regrouped

“I would have to pay my way.” She lifted her chin. “Otherwise the discussion is closed.”I knew arguing with her was a waste of time. She was stubborn and proud, and scared to depend on anyone. I wanted her to depend on me, though. I wanted to prove to her she could depend on me and I wouldn’t let her down.“The house is paid for, and all the bills are done through my company.” I fibbed a little. “Perhaps we could do an exchange. Like you have with Al.”“You want four dozen scones a day?”I chuckled. “No, but I love your cooking and baking. It would give Andrew a break, as well. I’ve been thinking I needed to get him some help.”She pursed her lips. I lifted her hand to my mouth.“Emmy, I don’t want to take away your independence. I’m not going to stop you living your life. I only want to share it with you. Have you be part of mine. I admit, having you live with me would ease my mind. I want to take care of you. I’ve never felt that with another person. We can work out all the details

Aiden stood, stiff and furious. “Nothing. Bentley is casting blame, the way he always does.”“Fuck you,” I snarled.He glared. “You usually do.”Maddox flung out his arms. “Knock it off! There is no blame here! Someone did this to get at Bentley—to get at us! Fighting is only going to make it worse.” He turned to me. “You know this isn’t Aiden’s fault. We all agreed on how to handle watching her. None of us could have predicted they’d be so desperate they’d actually take her or how they would take her!”Aiden and I stared at each other, neither of us giving an inch.“The girls are here,” Maddox informed us. “Can we try to be civil and concentrate on what is important? They’re already upset enough.”My anger left me as fast as it had hit. Maddox was right. This wasn’t the time to be fighting. We had to work together.“You’re right.”Aiden pushed off the desk with a huff. “Well, at least you agree with one of us.”“Aiden—”He held up his hand. “You said enough, Bentley. I get it.” Grabb

“Bentley, you need to understand something. Even though she shows a different façade to the world, Emmy, in many ways, is more controlled than you are. People think she is carefree, humorous, and even flighty. She rarely shows her true feelings. She hides them under a smile or a laugh.”“I know. There is much more to her than one sees.”She tilted her head in agreement. “That’s what she lets them see. She is intensely private, and she doesn’t allow people in easily. The only way she survived being abandoned not once, but twice, was to take charge of her life. Be the one to make decisions about it. Where she lived, what she did, how much money she had. She has refused to depend on anyone for anything. Even Cami and myself.” She shrugged ruefully. “She didn’t expect you and the huge dilemma you present to her.”“I’m sorry—I’m a dilemma? I don’t understand.”“You are her greatest desire—the one she would never admit to having—and her biggest fear. The one person she can be herself with,

“How?” I asked. “You haven’t had any luck yet.”Reid answered. “We didn’t know where to look. We’ve been looking for a needle in a haystack. Now we’re focusing all our energy on him. His online presence, accounts, emails. He’s been hiding using fake profiles, remote access terminals, and burner emails. I can hack into his life, and hope he’s slipped up somewhere.” He chuckled. “They always do. I’ll find something. He can’t hide from me anymore.”“Let’s get at it.”Aiden shook his head. “I think somehow he’s watching—or listening. Maddox is going upstairs with you. I need Reid’s hacking skills, and this room is totally secure. Greg’s never had access to it. In fact, he doesn’t even know it exists. So, if he’s watching your computer or listening in, all he is gonna see is the same gerbil wheel we’ve been on since we started, and all he is going to hear is failure.”“You really think you can find her?”Reid and Aiden answered in unison, Reid never looking up from the computer. “Yes.”“Wh