Trillion - Winter Renshaw Page 0,81
Ames who did this to her.
And I need to find out exactly what he’s holding over her head.
Thirty minutes later, I fly into the driveway of the quaint yellow house I’ve only visited once before, recognizing the crooked “welcome” sign hanging on the front door. Slamming my car door, I trot up the pitted sidewalk and ring the bell.
Footsteps sound on the other side, followed by the unlatching of a deadbolt. When the door swings open a second later, I’m taken aback to see Sophie.
My thoughts scramble as she opens the door and steps outside under the stoop, arms folded in her baggy t-shirt. Despite the messy ponytail and the dark circles under her eyes suggesting she hasn’t slept in a while, she remains the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Beautifully broken. Perfectly imperfect.
I want to tell her I love everything about her, flaws and all. That I’d take her pain if I could so she would never have to feel it ever again.
But first thing is first.
“Sophie …” I resist the urge to cup her face or pull her into my arms. “I didn’t expect you to answer. I’ve been trying to reach you for over a week.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Ames sold me the company. Signed the papers today,” I say.
“Congratulations.” There’s no emotion in her voice, only steel in her blue gaze. “I’m happy for you.”
“I know it was him,” I say, attention falling to her lower abdomen. “I know it was Nolan who did that to you.”
She doesn’t react. Doesn’t confirm—or deny.
“I also know he said something to you that weekend,” I continue. “But whatever he said, it doesn’t matter. You can come home now. You should come home.”
“Please don’t tell me what to do,” she says. “If another man tries to control my future …”
I frown. “You’re not hearing me. I’m not trying to control your future, Sophie. I want to be your future.”
She avoids my stare, chewing the inner corner of her lower lip, the one I’d give anything to taste again.
I tense my jaw, impatient, our entire life dangling on the tip of her tongue.
I’ve been called the most powerful man in the world—but suddenly, she’s the most powerful soul in mine.
If I’m the sun, she’s the whole fucking universe.
“How did you figure it out?” she asks, admitting what I already knew. “About Ames?”
“I had lunch with him and Anabelle earlier. She was telling me the story of Sasha’s adoption, and let’s just say she gave enough information that I was able to piece it together. It didn’t help that Ames was all but squirming in his seat the whole time. That coupled with a few strange reactions of yours that I noticed over the weekend and it made perfect sense.”
Her gaze narrows and she draws in a deep breath. “I knew you’d figure it out on your own eventually … there’s not much that gets by you, is there?”
“Come home, Sophie. I’m not above begging,” I say. “Tell me what it’s going to take. I’ll do it. I’ll do anything.”
“I’m sorry, but that doesn’t change anything. I wish it did, but …”
“Of course it does. It changes everything. Ames got what he wanted, but now he doesn’t have a say.”
“I’m afraid he does.”
My jaw sets. “What’s he holding over you?”
“You’re a very convincing man, Trey, but my answer is still no. I don’t want to marry you.” She tightens her folded arms. “I wish you the best though. And thank you for everything.”
I don’t ask if I’ll see her at the office—if she’s bidding me farewell, she likely doesn’t intend to return.
“So this is it?” I ask, unable to mask my incredulous tone.
“This is it,” she says.
Sophie disappears inside the house, and a second later, the tumbler clicks on the lock.
Fifty-Four
Sophie
Present
I lock the door, my heart smashed into a million shards, never to be the same after this.
If I went home with him, if we picked up where we left off, as soon as Ames caught wind of it, he’d carry out his threats on Mom and Emmeline. And it’s not like I could ask Trey for money. The millions of dollars he offered me were from before things got real. Now that he’s closed on Ames Oil and Steel, the contract I signed with him is unnecessary and void.
Plus, I could never take advantage of him.
I won’t expect him to pick up where Ames left off and provide my family with a future. Plus, what if it doesn’t work out? Even