Kimberly stood in her little kitchen, staring at the picture Victor had tucked beneath her door. The picture was unsettling: Travis, looking remarkably vulnerable, stood next to a woman with dark eyes and pointed features. They appeared to have panicked at the same time. The back's scribbled words bit her: Do you actually know him?
Questions were racing around Kimberly's head. The woman was who? Travis was keeping what secrets? She had to go carefully even if she needed answers.
Determining to find out what was going on, she approached Travis. She couldn't, after all, judge his offer without knowing the facts. Her phone rang with a Jasmine message as she gathered her coat and left.
Lunch today? I've got news.
Kimberly waited a second. Her rock had always been Jasmine, and now more than ever she needed her friend's help. She answered quickly.
No doubt. See you at noon.
Kimberly groaned and went to Blackwood Enterprises. Every floor of the elevator that took her to Travis's office felt like a drumbeat. Her heart hammered. Elaine, his secretary, was a sophisticated woman who welcomed her with a businesslike smile when she arrived at his office.
Mr. Blackwood expects you, Ms. Dalton. Go right in, please.
Nerves on edge, Kimberly nodded. Pushing the thick wooden door open, she entered. From his desk, Travis lifted his head and noticed her, his expression softening.
With a gesture toward the chair across from him, he added, "Kimberly, please have a seat."
The snapshot burning a hole in her pocket, she sat down. I have to talk to you about something really serious, Travis.
Leaning back in his chair, he looked at her with much interest. How are you feeling right now?
Breathing deeply, Kimberly took out the picture and set it down on the desk. This was tucked beneath my door last night. What is the meaning of this picture and who is this woman?
Travis took up the picture and his face clouded. He was quiet for a time, his jaw taut. At last, he raised an eye and met hers. "She goes by Isabella. In my past, she was... important.
Heart thumping, Kimberly said. 'What happened?'
Putting a hand through his hair, Travis moaned. "Isabella and I were engaged. There was a lot of passion and tension in that stormy relationship. One day she unexpectedly and without warning left. Heartbroken, that was me. Years later, I discovered that she was abusing our relationship to access my resources and that she was engaged in illicit activities.
A cold scuttled Kimberly's back. What kept you from telling me about her?
I didn't want to burden you with my history, Travis added quietly. "Especially when I'm attempting to create a future with you. If this makes you feel differently about my proposal, I can understand.
Kimberly was thinking a tangle of ideas. Jasmine sent her another message on her phone, *Emergency, before she could reply. Come see me in the coffee shop right now.
Travis, I have to leave, she replied, getting up quickly. That being said, this is far from done. Talking about this further is necessary.
Travis said, "I understand," his voice full with an emotion she was unable to identify. Steer clear, Kimberly.
Her mind was a mix of perplexity and resolve as she ran out of the office. She had to see Jasmine to determine what to do next. Jasmine was already at the café when she got there, her usually upbeat manner replaced with a concerned scowl.
How are you doing, Jas? With a slide into the seat across from her, Kimberly questioned.
Biting her lip, Jasmine looked about tensely. Kim, there's been rumors floating around concerning Blackwood Enterprises. Rumors of dubious agreements and unreported scandal. Then, though, I understood something I didn't want to believe. She gave Kimberly a folded square of paper.
With her eyes sweeping over the contents, Kimberly opened it. It was an anonymous report that named Travis specifically and described purportedly criminal activity inside Blackwood Enterprises.
Whispering, her head spinning, "This can't be true," Kimberly said. Travis claimed not to want to burden me with his history, yet if this is accurate,
Trembling, Jasmine added, "I'm scared for you, Kim." You have to use caution. Could be risky.
Resolve stiffening, Kimberly nodded. I have to know the truth. But for me, I am unable. Do you think you could help?
Squeezing her hand, Jasmine murmured, "Of course. We shall investigate this thoroughly together.
Kimberly and Jasmine started looking into things over the following few days. They spoke with staff members, agonized over corporate paperwork, and followed up on prospects. Every piece of information they discovered further complicated the picture of Travis and Blackwood Enterprises.
Kimberly discovered a pattern of dubious transactions one evening when she was going through a mountain of financial records in her flat. Money was being transferred in large amounts to offshore accounts housed under sham firms. It was a complicated network of lies, and the more she learned, the more she believed Victor's cautions.
Her phone buzzed as she sat there staring at the papers strewn out. Text from an unidentified number it was.
Give it up digging. Overhead is where you are. You have one last warning.
Something icy seized her. She gave Jasmine a shaky call straight away. It was a threat, Jas. Somebody is aware that we are looking into this.
Kim, stay cool, Jasmine advised in a firm voice. "We have to use our heads here. We can discuss our next course of action tomorrow.
They got together in a remote area the next day to go over their results. Kimberly looked across and saw a man observing them. Heart thumped. Is that guy visible to you, Jas? He seems to be trailing us.
With a widening of her gaze, Jasmine turned. I had to leave this place. As of right now.
Gathering their possessions fast, they headed out across the park, hoping to find the man. Kimberly's phone rang one more as they approached the park's edge. Still another message from the unidentified phone.
As you were warned.
A black SUV squealed to a stop in front of them just as she was going to answer. Two men sprang out of the doors and grabbed Kimberly and Jasmine. Though they fought, the men were too strong.
"Leave us!" Fear was hammering through her, Kimberly yelled.
Ignoring her, the men crammed them into the SUV. Kimberly's thoughts raced as the car shot off. Sender of these men? Was Travis responsible? Win? Or someone else very different?
It seemed like an age before the SUV stopped. After hauling Kimberly and Jasmine outside, the men pushed them inside a poorly lit warehouse. Their assailants' features were hidden by shadows as they were pushed into seats and strapped up.
How come you are acting in this way? With a shaking voice, Kimberly asked.
Stepping forward with a partially lit face was one of the males. "Ms. Dalton, you have been posting too many questions. You need to hear some answers now.
Something moved into the light as a door creaked open. Breath seized in her throat, Kimberly acknowledged the figure in front of her.
Whispering, "Isabella?" she asked.
With a chilly, scornful tone, Isabella answered, "Yes, Kimberly." You should know the real story of Travis Blackwood by now.
Mentally, Kimberly whirled. Here Isabella was, planning their kidnapping, when she was meant to be out of Travis's life. From us, what do you want?
A dark smile curved Isabella's lips. "I want to present Travis as he really is. Man you intend to wed. He is not only a cunning businessman, you see. He is a criminal.
Heartbeat hammered in Kimberly. Why ought I to believe you?
Taking out a flash drive, Isabella continued, "Because I have evidence." And you'll understand how deadly Travis really is after you see what's on here.
Kimberly and Jasmine shot one other a scared look. Stakes were higher than ever, and they were well over their heads. Kimberly's thoughts raced as Isabella walked over to a nearby laptop to show them what was on the flash drive. Before it was too late, she had to figure out how to get out and find out the real Travis.
Inserting the flash disk, Isabella started playing a sequence of documents and videos. Tape showing Travis in covert meetings talking about dealings that went much beyond the legal boundaries flashed on the screen. Kimberly watched him haggle with renowned crooks, his manner icy and calculated. Her heart sunk.
Isabella added, her voice full of joy, "You see." You misunderstand Travis Blackwood. Blood money, lies, and treachery have supported his empire.
Mentally, Kimberly was spinning. Can this be real? She considered the guy she had gotten to know, the one who had been nice and trustworthy to her. But uncertainty was biting at her resolve as the evidence unfolded in front of her.
As usual, Jasmine offered her reasoned opinion. If what you say is true, Isabella, why have you come to us? Why not phone the police?
The way Isabella looked hardened. Travis is carrying them about in his pocket. You come into play, Kimberly, because I need someone on the inside to bring him down. We can expose him together.