Owned By Fate by Tessa Bailey Page A

relevancy. She’d become aware of the potential story through one of her most trusted sources two months ago. This source had brought her enough information to arouse her suspicion that a well-respected Wall Street investment banker by the name of Joseph Kimble was running an intricate Ponzi scheme. One that could bankrupt thousands of people nationwide. As far as Caroline knew, she and her source were the only two living souls who shared this belief, and she’d been quietly digging for the truth nonstop. Visiting old employees of Kimble, investigating his past business dealings.
    If Caroline could break this story within the next two weeks, her article would earn Preston’s the notoriety they needed to pull through. It would mean paid televised interviews, new advertisers, and above all, esteem in the journalistic community. Even after her promised feature about Serve. Not to mention it would garner her father’s respect. It would make him proud of her and save the publication in one fell swoop. She couldn’t mention it to Oliver, however. Not until she was sure. Not until the words that would go to press had been written and verified ten times over.
    “Ro?”
    Her head jerked up, upsetting her glasses. She steadied them on her nose, pretending not to sense Jonah’s amusement. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
    “And?”
    Caroline stood. Asher and her brother followed suit, but Jonah remained seated. “I, um…I need to think it over. I’m definitely not ready to commit at this point, though.”
    “We need a decision soon.” Oliver pushed a frustrated hand through his hair. “Asher’s company is growing, and he wants to take us with him. Don’t let the clock run out.”
    She nodded once. “If we’re finished here?”
    Oliver fell back into his chair. “Asher and I have more to discuss.”
    “Fine.” Caroline flicked a nervous glance at Jonah. Leaving him alone in the room with her brother was at the bottom of her list, but it appeared she didn’t have a choice. Praying he wouldn’t reveal her secret, she turned to leave just as Jonah rose from his chair.
    “Which way to the restroom?”
    “Down the hall to the right, next to Caroline’s office.” Oliver gave her a half smile, probably trying his best not to hate her guts. “Can you show him?”
    Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. “S-sure.”
    Jonah followed her from the room.

Chapter Six
    Jonah stepped past Caroline into her office. They hadn’t wasted a moment pretending he honestly needed a trip to the bathroom. God, he found a woman who knew when to pick her battles refreshing. Even in the meeting with her brother and Asher, she’d been concise and honest about her opinions without appearing the least bit condescending. She kept her emotions well hidden, but he’d seen how badly she wanted to make her brother happy. At one point during the meeting, she’d seemed to be in physical pain over disappointing him, successfully tapping Jonah’s protective instincts. He’d seen her distress and wanted to do away with it. Even as she spoke openly about her dislike of his chosen lifestyle, it still hadn’t swayed him.
    He’d made the decision in the meeting to lay out his ulterior motive for being here, wanting every encounter between them to be honest. What he had planned for them wouldn’t leave an ounce of room for deception. Now, he’d have to deal with the fallout.
    “Miss me, sweetheart?”
    She flipped the lock on her door and moved quickly out of his reach. “Kind of like I miss having braces.”
    As she began to pace nervously in front of her desk, he stifled a laugh. “Braces and glasses, huh? You didn’t by any chance go to Catholic school, did you?”
    “St. Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And before you ask, no, I didn’t hang on to the old uniform for kinky purposes.”
    “It was worth a shot.”
    Caroline leaned against her desk and blew out a breath. “So am I about to be blackmailed?