“Sterling is a businessman,” Tristan said. “He wants results, not excuses.”

“You stole my life savings, Tristan,” I said.

“And you’re going to help me keep them,” he said.

I looked at the exit, but he was blocking the only way out.

“How?” I asked.

“Sterling’s auditors are reviewing the final bids tonight,” he said.

“They’re looking at the shipping manifests from Khloe’s family,” he added.

“And?” I asked.

“I need you to authorize the clearance codes on the coordinator’s terminal,” he said.

“That’s illegal,” I said.

“So is corporate espionage, Kate,” he said, eyeing my handbag.

My fingers twitched against the leather strap.

“If those manifests aren’t cleared, Khloe’s father will pull his funding,” Tristan said.

“And if he pulls his funding, my hedge fund collapses,” he added.

“That sounds like your problem,” I said.

“If I go down, I’m taking you with me,” he said.

He reached out and touched a strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear.

I flinched away from his hand.

“I’ll make sure Sterling gets the anonymous tip about your accounts within the hour,” he said.