The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 177

“I know they’re old,” she says quickly, wiping at her eyes again. “I know they were before me because his hair is longer. I know all of that logically.” Her voice cracks. “But emotions aren’t logical, Violet.”

No. They really aren’t. She laughs weakly through another wave of tears.

“I literally bullied that man into getting a haircut on our first date because he looked like an emotionally damaged Viking metal guitarist.”

Despite everything, I snort softly.

“He complained the entire appointment,” she mutters. “Said I was ruining his image.”

“That sounds exactly like Theo.”

“He sulked for hours afterward.”

A small smile briefly pulls at her lips before fading again almost instantly.

TH

“It was before us,” she whispers quietly, like she’s trying to convince herself all over again.

I nod slowly. But I can still see the hurt sitting inside her. Because the problem isn’t Avery. It’s the secrets.

She exhales shakily before continuing.

“But if those photos leak…” Her voice cracks slightly. “It destroys Theo’s reputation. And Devin’s too.”

I nod slowly.

Because she’s right.

Theo works beside Rowan publicly. Devin’s legal career could take a massive hit from implications alone. Especially right now with the city already circling Ashcroft Industries like sharks smelling blood in the water.

Camille stares down at our joined hands quietly for another long moment.

Then something changes in her face. The sadness hardens. The grief sharpens into anger.

“But…” she says quietly.

1 wait.

“If this helps destroy Hargrove…” Her jaw tightens. “Then maybe it’s worth it.”

The

rage

inside me burns hotter instantly. Not because I want to hurt Theo. Or Devin. Or even Avery anymore. But because Hargrove built this.

Every piece of it. The blackmail. The manipulation. The surveillance, The fear.

1/3

Chapter 177

She built this disgusting machine and now everyone around us is bleeding because of it.

I stand abruptly.

Camille looks up immediately. “What?”

I stare toward the hallway outside the bathroom. Toward the loft upstairs. Toward Rowan’s shadow moving behind the glass walls while he tears apart another executive over the phone.

Then I look back at her. “What if we go see Leah Frank?”

Camille freezes completely.

Then very slowly… Understanding spreads across her face.

“Oh…”

Yeah.

Oh.

Not the police. Not the mayor. Not the feds. The press. Public

pressure. Public exposure. Public destruction.

Camille stands immediately despite still looking exhausted. “You’re serious.”

“I’m done playing nice.”

Her eyes search mine carefully. Then she nods once. Sharp. Resolved. “Okay.”

No hesitation anymore. No uncertainty

Just anger.

I walk back into the living room while Camille washes her face and fixes her makeup enough to look functional again.

Meanwhile, I go to work. Downloading everything.

Every email. Every attachment. Every photo. Metadata. Access logs. Phone records. Payment authorizations.

I transfer everything onto an encrypted USB drive that I made sure was empty from Rowan’s bedroom on his nightstand. I’m sure he can get another one without a fuss.

Camille walks back out a few minutes later looking steadier. Still pale. Still hurting. But steadier.

“You ready?” she asks quietly.

No. Not even close.

But I nod anyway, I grab my jacket first. Then the flash drive. Then finally Theo’s keys hanging near the kitchen counter,

2/3

Chapter 177

The little black 4Runner he drives when he doesn’t want attention.

My fingers tighten around the keys as I glance upward toward the loft one last time. Toward Rowan. I already know he’s going to lose his fucking mind when he realizes I’m gone.

Especially after tonight. Especially after the explosion. Especially after he admitted he was scared.

But right now?

I’m not scared… I’m pissed off and I’m doing something about it.

Comments

4

Write Comments

19

<SHARE

3/3