a slam dunk. Just in time for us to arrange the transport. And the rest is history.”
“The authorities will figure it out,” Sean said. “No one is going to believe I killed Mona Hill, not when the evidence comes out.”
“The evidence shows that you did. The prison break, which is clear that you orchestrated, is proof of your guilt.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
“Do you realize that since Lucy met you, she’s been in danger dozens of times?”
“She’s a federal agent. It comes with the job.”
Paxton slammed his palm on his desk so hard and fast that Sean involuntarily jumped. “No! She’s in danger every day of her life because she’s married to a Rogan. She was in danger in New York looking for your cousin. She was in danger in Mexico because of your brother Liam. She was shot in the back because of your brother Kane. And do you think I forgot what happened in New York when you were trying to destroy me? She was kidnapped because of you and your crimes. Do you think you’ve cleaned out all the skeletons? Do you think that your family can keep her safe?”
It dawned on Sean that Paxton had been watching him and Lucy for years. He knew far too much about things he shouldn’t know—like what went down with Liam in Mexico. They had kept that information close to the vest. Paxton had to have people in the know. Maybe even someone close to Sean.
Sean absorbed what Paxton was saying. This was about his relationship with Lucy? Paxton was twisting everything … even though there was a kernel of truth in what he said. “Do you think you can keep her safe?” Sean said, sounding stronger and more confident than he felt. Because he couldn’t escape the sick feeling that he was missing something. “That Lucy would even want you in her life? After everything you did to her?”
“Lucy is a strong, vibrant young woman. I’m so proud of her. She’s only made one mistake in her life, and that was marrying you. I thought for certain when she learned that you had a son by another woman that she would realize you have always been, and always will be, unworthy of her. Alas, she was smitten.”
Sean didn’t respond. Didn’t know if he could. When he learned about Jesse his fear was that Lucy wouldn’t be able to get around the fact that he had a son—especially when she was unable to have children. But she had, and she loved Jesse.
“Killing Mona Hill was plan B,” Paxton continued. “Colton, as good as he is, was unfortunately unable to execute plan A—which would have had you arrested for cybercrimes. He was impressed with your home security.”
“So because Colton wasn’t good enough to frame me for a cybercrime, you jumped into bed with a predator to frame me for murder. Lucy is going to figure it out.”
“It won’t matter if she learns the truth, because you’ll be out of her life. Permanently. And she’ll always have doubts about you. Added bonus.”
“Then why didn’t you just hire a sniper to kill me?”
“Because I want her to doubt you. I will destroy you in her eyes. The groundwork is already laid, it’s only a matter of time. Oh, she might tell everyone she believes in your innocence, that she believes in you,” he said with a flippant wave of his hand, “but when you disappear and leave a trail all over the world … she’ll doubt. She’ll think you are running, that your freedom is more important to you than anything, including her. And she’ll choose more wisely next time.”
“You’re sick.” Sean had no idea how he was going to get out of this. “You’re working with Jimmy Hunt. They kidnapped a federal agent—Kane is missing and I know Hunt’s behind it. You did that? You helped Hunt with his vendetta against my friends and family, all so he could frame me for killing Mona Hunt?”
“He doesn’t realize it, but Hunt is as good as dead. Sean, really, do you think I would let him walk away from this? I just need him a little while longer. His network is … extensive and valuable.”
“My brother has done more to rescue women and children from sex trafficking than anyone in the last ten years, he’s stopped more drugs from coming into the U.S. than any other individual, and you’re letting Hunt kill him? What does that make you?”