When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 146

Ethan

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I walked toward the elevator.

James?

"What's up?" I answered, keeping my voice low in the hotel hallway.

"We need to talk. Now." James's tone was unusually tense, even for him. "I've got some information about your investigation that can't wait."

I glanced back at Amelia's door. "I'll be at my suite in five minutes."

As I rode the elevator up to my floor, my mind raced. James rarely sounded this urgent. Whatever he'd found must be significant.

When I entered my suite, I found James pacing by the window, his reflection fractured across the Manhattan skyline behind him. He didn't waste time with pleasantries.

"You were right about Margaret Thompson." He handed me a folder. "She has offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. Been making regular withdrawals to purchase some kind of special liquid compound. The chemical analysis came back this morning."

I flipped through the documents, scanning the technical jargon. "And?"

"It's a specialized fragrance oil containing trace amounts of a compound that, with long-term exposure, can cause cognitive decline. Subtle enough that doctors would attribute it to natural aging or early-onset dementia."

I felt my stomach tighten. "You're sure about this?"

James nodded grimly. "There's more. Ashley purchased the same compound multiple times over the past year. She's been making frequent visits to Randal's family estate, supposedly to check on his grandfather."

"Fuck." I closed the folder. "So she's been slowly poisoning the old man to gain control of the Randal assets."

"Looks that way." James crossed his arms. "The compound is virtually untraceable after 72 hours. It's delivered through aromatherapy diffusers—the victim never even knows."

I walked to the mini-bar and poured myself a whiskey, despite the early hour. "Does Noah know?"

"Not yet. I thought you should decide how to handle that."

I swirled the amber liquid in my glass. "Let's hold off telling him. We need more concrete evidence before dropping that bomb since his grandfather's already died."

James nodded, accepting my decision. He joined me by the balcony doors, looking out over the city.

"What do you think about Sophie?" I asked, changing the subject, hoping to get some information about James from Sophie.

James nearly choked on his drink. "Sophie? Daniel's sister? What am I, your marriage counselor now?"

I laughed. "Just curious about your impression."

James set his glass down with deliberate care. "She's way too young, Ethan. And way too innocent for someone like me."

"She seems pretty interested in you."

"Everyone seems interested in me," he deadpanned. "It's a curse I've learned to bear."

I rolled my eyes and let him know about my travel plans.

"And tell Noah as well." I reminded him before he left.

I then hesitated for a moment before calling Daniel. The phone rang several times before he answered.

"Black. What can I do for you?" His voice was formal but not unfriendly.

"I'm organizing a small gathering at my Long Island property this weekend. Just wanted to invite you personally."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm afraid I'm in the middle of preparing for a new project. I won't be able to make it."

I felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. "I understand. Perhaps another time."

"Indeed. I hope everyone enjoys themselves." His tone softened slightly. "Take care of Amelia, Black."

Although Amelia has never mentioned to me the true cause of her mother's death—perhaps fearing it might hurt me—I still want to seek the truth to make up for past mistakes.

This time, I brought everyone to the island because I wanted Amelia to enjoy everything, even if just for a short while, before I figure everything out. I know that once we return to New York, she'll inevitably face the things that will break her heart.

---

The next morning, I stood outside the hotel entrance, supervising the loading of our luggage. James was already there, leaning against his sleek black SUV, sunglasses hiding his eyes despite the early hour.

"Nice jeans, Rachel," James commented as his sister approached, wearing fashionably ripped denim. "Did you get attacked by scissors on the way here?"

Rachel flipped him off casually. "At least I don't dress like I'm attending a funeral 24/7."

I suppressed a smile. Their sibling dynamic always amused me.

"Alright, car assignments," I announced as everyone gathered. "Olivia, you'll take Noah's car. Rachel, why don't you and Sophie ride in the back of James' SUV? Michael will take Amelia, the kids, and me."

Rachel glanced at James. "Works for me."

Sophie pouted slightly but brightened when Rachel whispered something in her ear that made them both giggle.

Once everyone was settled, Michael sat up front in the driver's seat, already checking our route on his tablet.

As we pulled away from the hotel, Michael tactfully raised the privacy partition between the front and back seats, giving Amelia and me some privacy while the children were occupied with their tablets.

"Rachel seems different today," Amelia observed quietly. "More relaxed."

I nodded, looking out the window. "She's had a rough time lately."

"I noticed she changed after her time at Boston Medical. She used to be so open, but now she seems... guarded."

I glanced at Amelia, impressed by her perception. "You have good instincts, but I don't know what was going on between them. The Hayes family had their own secrets, and it wasn't my place to speculate."

Amelia nodded, respecting the boundary. After a moment, she placed her hand on my thigh, her touch light but deliberate. "You're a good friend, Ethan. To all of them."

I covered her hand with mine, feeling the warmth of her skin. "I try to be."

Her fingers intertwined with mine, and I couldn't help but squeeze them gently. The simple contact sent electricity through my body.

"Behave, Mr. Black," Amelia whispered, as if reading my thoughts. "Michael can see you undressing me with your eyes."

I chuckled, not bothering to deny it. "Michael's seen worse. Haven't you, Michael?"

My assistant cleared his throat, his eyes firmly fixed on his tablet. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir."

Amelia laughed, the sound lighting up something inside me I thought had died years ago. God, I love this woman.

"You're impossible," she said, but her eyes sparkled with amusement and something warmer, more intimate.

"That's why you can't resist me," I replied, bringing her hand to my lips for a quick kiss before returning it to her lap.