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Because then I’ll know for once and all what kind of person he is.
And how this might end for me.
Our gazes lock. “Did you help him set her up?”
My heart stops cold when he falls silent.
“Yeah,” he says finally. “I did.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Detective Trejo told me what Cain’s version of events were when he brought me in for questioning. At the time, I didn’t know Cain had secretly recorded me detailing how I would kill his family or that he’d end up blackmailing me with it.” His voice is barely audible as he continues. “But I covered for him, I told Trejo it was Caleb and not Cain.”
He stands up. “When Trejo said Kristy kept insisting it was Cain…I told him she was only saying that because Cain was alive, and Caleb wasn’t. That it was easier for her defense to claim she was sleeping with the twin who still had a pulse.”
Jesus. “Dam—”
“I know. Trust me, I know how wrong it was.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “I won’t ever deny my part in this. I also won’t stand here and claim I’m i
He bows his head. “She was my friend. But she died…because I chose Cain.” His voice is laced with so much guilt he’s practically choking on it. “She was a good woman. A kind, i
“And that’s something I have to live with. Her death is on me.”
“No, it’s not,” I tell him as I stand up.
I’m not diminishing the role Damien played in all this, but he’s taking full responsibility for something that doesn’t fall on him.
“Cain told Trejo it was Mrs. Miller, correct?”
He nods.
“And her husband killed her? You said he was abusive and bailed her out of jail, so I assum—”
“That’s what they say happened.” There’s an edge to his tone.
“Look, you already know what you did was wrong. But the way I see it—if you take yourself out of the equation, it still would have happened. Even if Trejo didn’t bring you in for questioning, she still would have been in jail because of Cain. And even if she wasn’t in jail…it sounds like her husband was going to kill her sooner or later.” I palm his cheek. “It’s sad and tragic, and you’re right—she didn’t deserve to die. It sucks that she did. You might not have saved her, Damien. But you didn’t kill her either.”
He starts to protest, but I hold up a hand. Damien’s going to continue blaming himself no matter what, and we can work through that later. Right now, we have to come up with a plan before it’s too late. The election’s less than three days away.
Anger races over my skin. “We have to clear your name and take Cain down before he has you arrested for murders you didn’t commit.”
I don’t want Damien to end up like his teacher turned ex-lover did. I don’t want to see him in jail. Or worse, dead.
I’m not sure what to make of the expression on his face. “What do you suggest we do?”
“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic, or if you actually value my input.”
There’s a smug smile on his face as he buttons his shirt. “With the way you were going to gut me before, I’d say my little lamb has officially become the slaughterer and should probably take the lead on this one.”
I give him a smile of my own. One that conveys how pissed off I am about what I walked in on. “It would do you well to remember that, King. Because the next time I see your dick in someone’s mouth without my permission—”
“It was a power play. The second he started choking on it, I kicked him in the nuts and found you. I just wanted him to know there were no feelings left over for him on my end…except hatred.”
Well, that certainly changes things. “Oh.” My pulse quickens when his gaze falls to my torn panties on the floor and he takes a step closer. I have to remind myself to stay focused on the plan and not his sex eyes.
“I wish there was a way to get him to confess so we can record it.” I chew my lip as the wheels in my head start turning. “Are we having the ball at the castle again?”
He slips on his jacket. “I can arrange that if you think it will help.”
“Yes. Home turf is always best.” I slide my heels on. “I know I can manipulate Cain, especially if I can get him alone…but not enough to confess to murder. Knowing him, he’ll walk out the second he realizes it’s a trap.”
“What if you tie him up?”
I think about this for a moment. “I don’t know. Cain’s stubborn. I don’t think he’ll confess whether he’s bound or not.”
Plus, if we keep him there too long, people will start to wonder where he is.
Damien’s voice jolts me out of my thoughts. “He might if you have proof of something he’s done and can blackmail him with it.”
“Will recording him having sex with me be enough?”
A muscle in his jaw clenches. “No. But someone else could work.”
Jealousy flares in my chest. “You mean you—”
“Trejo,” he says quickly. “Let’s just say Cain and the chief are a little more than friends. I have some pictures of them on my office computer.”
My mouth falls open. Although I don’t know why I’m even surprised. There is literally nothing Cain won’t do to get ahead.
“As far as blackmail goes, that’s more than enough.” I snap my fingers when it comes to me. “Okay, so here’s what I’m thinking. Tomorrow during the charity di
His lips compress in a tight line. “I don’t want you alone with him.”
“You have security cameras in your office, Damien. You can keep a close eye on me.”
He grunts. “Fine, but it will be a very close eye.”
“Then I suggest you close them when I strip off my ball gown and start seducing him.”
He frowns. “I don’t think—”
“The small couch in the corner of your office—think there’s a way I can hide some restraints underneath it?”
“You don’t have to.”
I roll my eyes. “Look, I know you don’t like it, but it’s the only way to get him—”
“You don’t have to hide restraints under the couch. They’re already there.”
“Oh.” Of course they are.
“You’re right though,” he says, pulling me toward him. “I don’t like it…which is why the second he’s bound, I’ll be coming in and taking over.”
“Are you sure? Because I can black—”
“Cain won’t break easily, Eden. It’s going to require a certain skill set.”
“You’re going to beat him up?” I don’t bother hiding the uneasiness in my tone. Cain deserves everything coming to him, but abusing him after knowing his history just feels…
“If you don’t think you can handle it—”
“No.” I look up at him. “I can.”
“I’d torture him sexually, but not only does he disgust me, I think he’d enjoy it too much.”
“Probably.” I nod. “I think this plan will work.”
Cain Carter isn’t the man I thought he was.