Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Oh, shit.
“Sorry. I thought you were—”
“Apollo Finch? I gathered that much. Are you two fighting? Oh, Brock, multinational CEOs don’t have time for schoolyard spats. Just be the bigger man and walk away.”
I wish like hell I could.
“What do you want?” I ask, tamping down the fury in my voice.
“I just called to make sure you and that sweet girl got home okay. You left in such a rush.”
Right.
My elderly grandparents had an international flight, and she’s worried about me. Typical Grandma.
“We’re good. Just a PR issue I had to go chasing down,” I say, holding my breath and hoping she hasn’t seen the news.
“That junk in the papers? It’s as bad as the old Roland Osprey rag.”
Well, fuck. So much for keeping a lid on it.
I wait in grim silence until she says, “I don’t think you did anything wrong, you know.”
“You don’t care that I’m dating an employee?” I ask.
I certainly can’t make myself regret it.
“Oh, pish-posh. Back in my day, that was called an office romance, and it was spicy.”
I cringe. “Grandma, don’t make me hear that again.”
“Prude. I wouldn’t have you harassing some poor girl who worked for us, but that’s not what happened. She hangs on your every word. You watch her with your heart in your throat. You two were adorable. She’s exactly the kind of woman I always hoped would find you.”
“Yeah,” I say tightly, stunned that this insanity has their approval.
Maybe my tight-ass grandparents aren’t as concerned with optics as I thought.
Grandma laughs. “If I’m being honest, I was rooting for a British girl so you’d move to London. But I really just want to see you as happy as I saw you this weekend. If that girl is special, treat her like gold. Cling tight. I could go on forever, but you know what you need to do and I need a nap, dear. I just wanted to let you know we’re behind you before you did something stupid in the fuss—or you let her make a dreadful mistake.”
“Thanks, Grandma,” I say dryly.
“You’re welcome and I love you.”
“Love you too. Go take your nap.”
I wasn’t expecting that.
I have to protect her, dammit, now more than ever, before Finch drops another atomic bomb on her life.
I owe her that much if I want to keep her. I just wish it was as simple as threatening Apollo Finch with an early grave.
As I sit down and think, my jaw tight enough to break, I know what I have to do.
The question is, am I strong enough to do it?
I have to try.
Even if it makes bailing out over hostile territory in a flaming wreck and dispatching a bunch of mobster fucks feel like a spring picnic.
23
Rocky Road (Piper)
I lay on Brock’s couch, talking to Dad over Zoom.
He looks better than he has in a long time, and they’ve got him walking all over the hospital campus.
“Are you sure you’re not getting too much exercise, Dad?”
“I moved my whole life until I couldn’t. Feels damn good to be back in the game.”
“I know. I’m just worried about you,” I say.
“Yeah, that’s my number one concern, too, honey.”
“What?”
“Making sure you get it through your head that it’s not your job to fuss over me. You need to finally learn how to be young.” The way he smiles over the screen almost breaks me.
I’m about to sass back when Brock comes in.
I look up. His jaw is clenched and his eyes look hollowed out.
Oh, no. More bad news?
He sits down on the couch beside me but doesn’t look at me.
“Hey, can I call you back later?” I ask.
“What’s wrong?” Dad moves his phone closer like he thinks it’ll help see me better, blowing his face up huge.
“Nothing!” I throw back.
“Bull. Your voice just changed.”
“Oh, Brock just came home and I need to talk to him. Business stuff.”
Brock puts up a hand. “Don’t end the call on my account.”
“Are you staying at that man’s house?” Dad growls, a protective glint in his eyes.
I try not to laugh.
“Dad. I’m twenty-four, remember?”
I don’t give a real answer, though.
I never told him I’ve been with Brock this whole time, and apparently Maisy omitted that fact, too. Thank God. She’s earning her sisterly bribe this time.
“We’re gonna chat about this when I get home. If all goes well, I’ll be back in about a week,” Dad tells me.
“Sounds great, Dad. Take care of yourself.” I cut the call and glance at Brock. The way he’s bowed and tense gives everything away before I even squeak out, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing new.” He stands and moves away from me, still not meeting my eyes. “Piper, I was thinking, maybe it’s time you go visit your dad. I know the doctors are sending a rosy assessment, but wouldn’t you like to see him yourself?”
I sit up, clasping my hands.