The conversation was heading in the right direction, so it was time to get ready for the blow.

He looked out through the large windows and sighed. “Emily, I wish it were that easy, but I really can’t drag you into my problems. It wouldn’t be fair.” He looked back at her. “You were right. The SEC is investigating me for insider trading. And the way the case looks right now, it doesn’t look good for me. I’m sure you don’t want to be involved in a scandal like that.”

He withdrew his hand from her hold and leaned back in his chair.

“The evidence is too damning.”

Emily leaned over the table, lowering her voice. “But you can fight it.”

“How, Emily? They’ve found bank account statements at my place. For the account with which those trades had been made. They’re going to convict me. I don’t know how to fight that.” He tossed her a smile that he had to force onto his lips. “So you have to understand that there can’t be anything between us. Even though I want it.” He sighed. “Emily, you’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be happy to hold you in his arms and make love to you. Including me. But with the SEC breathing down my neck… I can’t do this to you.”

“But the bank account statements don’t even have your name on them. Anybody could have hidden them in your house in Bridgehampton. With all the parties you have there, so many people would have had access.”

Bingo! Emily was so keen on turning him into her fourth husband that she’d thrown caution to the wind. “How do you know that?”

She froze. “Know what?”

“I didn’t mention that the bank statements were found in my house in the Hamptons or that the account wasn’t in my name.”

Even though she was caught, she didn’t give up easily and tried to save the situation. “But of course you just said that. How else would I know?” She laughed, a fake sound if he’d ever heard one. “You’re just under stress. I understand that. Who wouldn’t be stressed? We’d better discuss how we can get you out of this mess.”

He dropped his mask. “I know exactly how I can get out of this mess. By getting you to admit that you planted the evidence and were trying to pin this on me.”

She shot up from her chair. “That’s outrageous! How dare you accuse me of this? And here I was trying to help you.”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her down onto her chair. “Sit down! We’re not done.”

Emily huffed indignantly and crossed her arms over her chest.

“What was your plan? First you plant incriminating evidence so that I’ll be accused of insider trading, and then you try to help me get out of it? That’s strange, don’t you think? Or were you planning to soften me up by offering your help? Did you really think that I’d get involved with you if you helped me out of this situation? Is that why you told everybody that you would marry again soon?”

His fury was boiling over now, and finally Emily, too, lost her cool.

“You can’t prove anything!” She stabbed her index finger into the table. “It’s your word against mine. And who’s gonna believe a man who’s accused of insider trading?” She laughed coldly. “As if I still wanted you now!”

He leaned over the table, his voice a deep growl now. “I wouldn’t touch you if you were the last woman on earth. What you need is a lapdog, not a man.”

“I think our conversation is over.” She rose and looked down on him. “I hope you’ll have time in prison to regret your words.”

“Funny,” Zach said and rose slowly, “I was going to say the same to you.” He smiled and looked over Emily’s shoulder toward the entrance. From there two men approached.

“Before you leave,” he added, “may I introduce somebody?” He pointed past her, and Emily turned.

She froze, and a gasp issued from her throat.

“Oh, my mistake. You already know each other, don’t you?”

Next to Wade stood the actor who’d opened the bank account under the name of John Miller. Now that he was dressed normally and wasn’t wearing stage make-up or any kind of disguise, he didn’t look as much like Zach, even though he was similar in type and stature.

The actor nodded. “That’s her. She hired me to play you and open the account.”

“That’s a lie!” Emily screamed.

“You can tell the district attorney,” Rochelle interrupted from behind Zach.

He turned, relieved that Rochelle had come, even though it hurt to see her and know at the same time that what they’d had was over.