Freedom (Billionaire Secrets 2)

“If she’s innocent, then the damage is solely on me. It will have been my fault that our products haven’t done as well as we hoped,” Simon countered.

“You’re still defending her. Even now.” Everett’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you’re up to this task?”

Simon nodded forcefully. “I’m up to this. And Everett, when it’s time to confront Heather, let me do it.”

Everett paused. “I don’t know, Simon. She has a real hold over you.”

That much was true. Try as he might to fight it, Simon was still completely under her spell. He was enthralled by her. Ready to stake his reputation on still giving her the benefit of the doubt.

“I hired her. I handled the case against my previous assistant. It’s my responsibility to fix this.” If they had to confront her, Simon wanted to be the one to do it. He wanted to hear what she would have to say to defend herself. He wanted to look in her eyes so that he would know for sure if she was the same person she had always been.

“Fine. You have my permission to investigate this further and confront her if it comes to that,” Everett said. “But if this isn’t dealt with properly, you’re looking at a lengthy suspension.”

That cut him to the bone. He had known it was possible, but now it looked like it could end up being a reality if he didn’t set things right. “I guess that means I have to tell you how the reunion   went.”

“I almost forgot about that,” Everett said. “Linda mentioned it to me. How did it go?”

“Not well,” he replied truthfully. “A photo was taken of me and Heather in a compromising position.”

“How compromising?” Everett demanded, his voice laced with warning.

“An old high school classmate got a photo of us kissing. Heather and I also spent the night together.” He hated having to reveal details of his private life, but he had to get everything out in the open if he wanted Everett on his side. He was running out of options and he needed allies at Dover.

“For fuck’s sake, Simon.” Everett started pacing up and down the office in agitation. “The board won’t suspend you in the middle of your investigation into your assistant. But mark my words, if you don’t nail whoever is behind VLA’s spying you’re looking at a suspension. And it won’t be for three months either. It would be six months at least, and it could even be an indefinite suspension if the investors are angry enough.”

He was on the brink of losing both Heather and Dover. Heather had been the one to encourage him to chase his dreams. Now there was the irony of her possibly being the reason his dreams might be crumbling. Dover was his life. The work they did at the company gave his life purpose. Meaning. The money was great, but nothing compared to how they changed people’s lives with the work they did here.

They had made so many things accessible to people with their technology. They did more than just create software that just about everyone with a computer or a smart phone used. Medical technology had improved over the years because of Dover. Cars were safer. People in remote areas could connect with the outside world in ways they never had before. Their technology helped people on rescue missions after natural disasters. Dover had totally changed the world, and the thought of no longer being a part of that was impossible to even imagine.

Heather and Dover were the only things in his life that mattered. And now it looked like there was a real chance of losing both, if he hadn’t already.

“I can fix this,” he said firmly. “I’ll investigate my assistant and put a stop to whatever VLA has planned.”

“You know this means she’ll end up in jail if she’s guilty,” Everett pointed out.

His chest tightened, and he suddenly felt out of breath. Imagining her languishing in prison seemed worse than merely losing her. It added an extra layer of misery to her life that unnerved him. “I know.”

Everett stopped his pacing and focused his attention on Simon. “I’m counting on you to get this right.”

“I’ll get it done.”

“Good. While you investigate, I’ll see how Linda is handling your little photo mishap.” With a grim nod, Everett headed towards the office door.