Fake Empire(100)

“You wanted the name. He was the leak.”

I sink down into my chair. “How reliable is your source?”

“Kiera Ellis. Her father is—”

“I know who her father is.” The biggest media mogul in the country.

“There’s more to come, apparently. Nathaniel claims he has some of our internal documents. Damning ones.” Asher raises a brow. “Do those exist?”

“No idea.”

Asher shakes his head. “I’ll admit the guy made a few good investments. But he’s a bottom feeder at best. Coming after Kensington Consolidated makes no sense.”

I know exactly why he’s doing it, but I keep that to myself. Good leadership is knowing when to share—and when to shut up.

“I’ll take care of him.”

Asher shakes his head. “Plotting revenge on Christmas? That’s the Crew Kensington I know. For a while, I thought you’d gone soft.”

“Scarlett is pregnant.”

Asher whistles and leans back in his chair. “Already?”

“All it takes is one time.”

“Right. I’m sure you’ve had sex with your hot wife just the once.” He pauses. “Are you freaking out?”

“No.” I don’t correct his assumption that this is a recent development.

“Are you experiencing any emotions?” His tone is exasperated.

“Some.”

“Like…”

“I can’t picture my life without her.”

“I meant about the spawn you sired, Crew.”

“I know what you meant. But the baby isn’t here. It’s the size of a peach or something. She is.”

“Then go home and be with her.”

I want to. But I know what I’ll have to ask when I do. And it’s not a conversation I’m looking forward to.





Scarlett is curled up on the couch with Teddy when I get home, eating popcorn. I shrug off my suit jacket and loosen my tie as I walk into the living room, wishing I was in sweatpants like she is.

“Hey.” Her voice is soft. Hesitant. Unsure.

“Hi.” I take a seat near her feet. Teddy crawls over to lick my hand.

“How did it go?”

“Too soon to tell. I’ve got to wait a few things out.”

She nods.

“How is your dad?”

“He was sleeping. The doctors said that’s normal. There don’t seem to be any complications so far.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah.”

I inhale. Exhale. Chew the inside of my cheek. “I found out who leaked the investigation to the press.”

“Really?”

“It was Nathaniel Stewart.”

I watch her reaction closely. See her eyes widen. Her lips part. “Seriously?”

“I trust my source.”

“Why would he do that?”

I hold her gaze. “I think you know why.”

Her hazel eyes widen. “I told you. Nothing happened between us.”

“I know. I believe you. He and my father were working on a deal. I put an end to it.”

“Because of me?”

“Because of you,” I confirm.

“Why?”

“Because you’re mine.”

She scoffs. “Real mature, Crew.”

“It was also a risky deal. But I wouldn’t have bothered if it were with anyone else.”

“Is there a point to this conversation?” Her tone has turned sharp. Icy.

I seethe, silently. “Nathaniel claims he has documents. Internal documents. Documents like…the ones you requested.”

She sucks in a sharp breath. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I’m not accusing you of anything. I trust you, Scarlett. I just need to know…did you tell him anything about the company? Is there anything he could use or twist or bluff—”

She stands, toppling half the pillows off the couch. “I can’t believe you. Are you seriously asking me this?”

I stand too. “I’m in the dark here, Scarlett. This…tornado just landed right on top of the company I’m first in line to inherit. People are relying on me. To lead, to keep their jobs, to save this company. If there’s anything you know, I just…”

My voice trails when I realize a horrifying fact.

She’s crying. Clear liquid streaks down her cheeks in shimmering trails. “I’m the reason you’re first in line.”

I step forward. “Red…”

She steps back, swiping angrily at her cheeks. “Fuck. You. Why don’t you just make me wear a wire if you think I’m going around spilling company secrets to any guy that so much as smiles at me?”

I rub my jaw, trying to figure out where this conversation veered so far off course. I didn’t want to bring Nathaniel up. I knew it would be a sore spot. But I had no idea it would become this. “That’s not what I’m saying. I trust you. I just—”

“There’s no just, Crew. You’re doubting me, and I’ve never doubted you. I can’t believe I—” She shakes her head. “Anything Nathaniel knows about Kensington Consolidated, he didn’t learn it from me. Happy?”