The Blackwood legacy

ia, "You shouldn't be up here," he said

n't you, Derrick?" He turned his attention to the women, his expression practically dripping with false congenia

vely. This was the moment of reckoning, the moment when their carefully constructed

narrowing. "Evan, this is between

y friend." He stepped out into the hallway, blocking their path of escape. "You see, y

cending tone, but before she could respond, Ol

aside and let us return to the gala. This i

sement. "Oh, but I'm afraid it does, my dear. You see, the fate of the Black

t going to be, Derrick? Are you going to play by my rules, or am I going to have

rely contained fury. "You son of a bitch," he gro

y friend. And you, of all people, should know that I'm not

nstructed charade was about to come crashing down, and there was nothing she could do to stop i

ing moment, she glimpsed a flicker of somethin

th false sympathy. "Ah, yes, the lovely Mrs. Blackwood. I do hope

er – how much do you really know about your husband's past? Abou

and questions. What secrets was Evan talking about? What could possi

s enough, Mr. Evan. I suggest you step aside and let us

raid I can't do that, my dear. You see, this is a matter of utmost importance to the future of

t's it going to be, Derrick? Are you going to cooperate, or am I going to h

ope. For a moment, Hope caught a glimpse of the turmoil raging

d sigh, he stepped forwa

win. I'll do wh

had on Derrick, it was clearly enough to force him into submission, to make h

oward the open doorway. "Excellent. The

e office, Hope reached out, her fingers gras

locking with hers. "Stay here, H

otest, her grip tighten

elding. "You and Olivia need to get back to the

ld see the weight of the decision he had made, the resignation that had settled over his

releasing her grip on his sleeve. "Okay,"

ible nod, then turned and disappeared into th

unanswered questions. What was Evan holding over Derrick? What kind of secrets coul

or the future of their car