Pride by Victoria Christopher Murray

Author:Victoria Christopher Murray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books
Published: 2023-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

THAT AFTERNOON, I climbed into bed and didn’t leave my condo for a week. But when I finally did, I made a commitment that I would open a new firm and use my business only for good. I was never going to be on the questionable side of mortgage financing again. That was when J. Alexander and Associates was born.

But leaving Simon, making that vow, starting my firm—none of it had been good enough. Because karma always hovered around, waiting for the right moment to strike. It looked like my moment had come.

Pushing myself up, I leaned against the headboard. I always knew my situation was serious, but now I could see there was real trouble in my future.

I thought this wouldn’t go beyond negotiating with Simon so he would keep my name out of any bargains he had with the feds. But if someone other than Simon was willing to talk to the feds, then an indictment could very well be in my future.

For the first time, I was really scared. But fear didn’t take away my fight, and now I had no choice but to tell Ethan everything. Because now anyone could tell him about Mrs. Landers, including Ivy. And telling Ethan would be her perfect way to finally bring me down.

It was the thought of Ivy that made me make the final decision. I’d be the one to tell Ethan, to explain, and then he’d have everything he needed to defend me—if Ethan stayed…

I grabbed my cell phone and held it against my chest. Closing my eyes, I spoke to God and pleaded with Him to touch Ethan’s heart. Then I tapped Ethan’s name on my cell phone screen.

As the phone rang, I prayed again until I heard: “What’s up, Journee?”

“Good morning. Listen, I hate to bother you on a Sunday,” I said, feeling no need for niceties. “But there is something important I need to discuss with you.”

“Did you get another text?”

“I did, but that’s not what this is about.” I paused. “I found out something yesterday that’s big. Something you should know.”

“What is it?”

“No. Not on the phone. It’s too long; it’s too much. I have to see you. Do you have about thirty minutes this afternoon?”

“Uh, Journee, I don’t work on Sunday. We’re just leaving church and heading to Ivy’s parents’.”

Then, “Baby…” Ivy’s voice came through my phone, and I realized that, one, Ethan and Poison Ivy were together, and two, he had me on speaker. Ivy continued, “I think we can spare an hour if Journee needs your help.” Then she sang, “Hey, Journee,” like we were friends.

“Ivy,” I said. I wanted to add that I didn’t want to interfere with their time together. Not because I cared about that, but I didn’t want Ivy to insinuate herself into this meeting. It was going to be difficult enough to tell Ethan; I didn’t need his smiling fiancée beside him.

Ivy’s voice came through my phone again. “Go on, baby, I’ll meet you at my parents’ house.

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