“You have an excellent reputation and first-class client references. Plus, I have every confidence in that smooth delivery and dazzling charm of yours. Just think, Dave—without those attributes, we’d never have met.”

At the mocking tone, anger began to percolate deep inside him. “You know, I could always choose not to play your little game anymore.”

“I think not. Even if you decided at this late date to tell your wife the sordid tale, you’re in too deep with this scheme. You couldn’t get out without implicating yourself. And I don’t think you want to spend the rest of your life in jail.”

His tormentor had recognized his empty threat for what it was and called his bluff.

“How much longer is this going to go on?” He slumped into his desk chair and dropped his head into his hand.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“You said three or four people, tops. This is number six.”

“I changed my mind.”

Meaning this could continue forever.

“That wasn’t part of our agreement.”

“So sue me. Call your new client, Dave—and let me know as soon as she signs on the dotted line and the paperwork is in order for the transfer of funds.”

The line went dead.

Dave hit the end button and lowered the phone to his desk.

This was a disaster.

His life was a disaster.

All because of a stupid mistake. A lapse in judgment that should have stayed in the dark corner he’d swept it into and never seen the light of day again.

Until someone had decided to make him pay for his error. Forever, if today’s conversation was any indication.

Swindling people out of money was bad enough.

But now those people were dying.

And he was as much to blame for their deaths as the person who was doing the actual deed.

A knock sounded on the door, and he wiped a hand down his face. It had to be the clients Fred had sent him after he’d sweet-talked the man into taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime investment he’d offered, thereby signing his own death warrant.

At least these clients had nothing to fear on that score. His special investment was reserved for a select, unfortunate few chosen by the person who had turned his life into a living hell.

And there was no escape from his miserable fate unless he was willing to abandon the wife who needed him and spend the rest of his life behind bars.

That wasn’t an option.

So barring a lightning strike from the heavens that took out the person who made the dreaded calls on the burner phone, what choice did he have except to do as he was told—and pray for the poor souls who signed on for an offer that really was too good to be true?

6

AS NATE COX’S NAME FLASHED ON HER CELL, Grace killed the contemporary romance audiobook from one of her favorite authors and put the phone on speaker. Talking to a handsome real-life guy was far more enjoyable than listening to the escapades of a fictional one.