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)
Of course.
“For the record, I didn’t make a mistake with Piper. I was trying to protect her.”
The old man chuckles. “Well, sometimes it’s best to be more subtle about protecting a woman than treating her like a windup toy. They’re not always appreciative.”
Tell me about it.
“You’ve made your case already,” I growl. “Fine. I’ll go to the conference and take the beating so no one else does. You’re right. Real leaders absorb the arrows—all of them—and tomorrow I’ll start undoing the damage. As for Piper, that’s different.”
He pauses and clears his throat.
“I don’t know if this helps, Brock, but your grandmother broke up with me three times before we were married. I always knew I was going to marry her, but I’d planned on a long engagement. When I nearly lost her, I cut it in half, because I figured once we were married, it would be harder for her to dump me.”
“Oh, please. He proposed three times before I accepted. He begged me to marry him,” Grandma cuts in.
“How long have you been on the line? I told you to stay off,” Gramps says.
For the first time in ages, I laugh.
They’ve been married for over fifty years, and they still bicker on an international call.
“I’m going to get ready for my beating while you two settle this,” I say.
“How are you winning her back?” Grandma asks. “You’d better not let me down. I need to meet my great-grandchildren before I shuffle off my mortal coil. Who knows how much longer I have left!”
“I’ll let you know once I’m done being sneered at and ridiculed as the proud CEO of the luxury chain that comes in last place,” I growl.
“And I’m the grandmother of a man who knows it’s harder to stand up after you’ve been knocked flat than to keep on running when you’ve never fallen. There should be an award for that,” she says matter-of-factly. “Since there isn’t, I’ll accept you coming out of this happily married and less inclined to work yourself into an early grave.”
“Enough with the death talk, Grandma. Have a good day,” I say, disconnecting the call.
Christ, that was brutal.
It was also the kick in the teeth I needed.
Nothing will ever numb this gaping loss, but talking to my grandparents helps. I get up to let Andy out, then clean up and stuff myself into a plain black suit. I’m about to head out for a real coffee before I go deal with the sneering insults behind my back when my phone buzzes.
Keenan: BIG news. It might even make you less of a crankyface.
Brock: What news?
Keenan: Miss Piper Renee plans to attend the conference with Jennifer Landers in Portland despite the fact that she’s been gone for weeks. Should I reactivate her security credentials?
My breath turns to cement in my lungs.
Piper’s coming?
Tonight?
To the same slaughterhouse?
My jaw tightens.
She might just be hanging out with Miss Landers. I shouldn’t expect much, but it’s still a chance, even if it’s the most miserable odds I could ever imagine.
Still.
I’ll hunt her down and find out where we stand.
If she’s really over me, I’ll leave her alone, but I need to hear it face-to-face.
I grin like the desperate idiot I am and text back, Yes. Let her in.
Then I remember Piper loves vests and says I look good in silver.
I change suits and text Keenan on my way to the car. Do we know why she’s coming? Does she want her job back?
For a second, the urge to call her skins me alive. But if I have a chance to see her again in the flesh, I’ll take it. Anything we have to talk about will be infinitely more powerful in person.
Keenan: Sorry. I didn’t speak to Piper. Jenn just asked if she could come. I told her I needed to clear it with you, but expected it would be okay.
Brock: Piper is cleared for anything she wants. Ever. What would you say to a woman who hasn’t spoken to you in weeks?
Keenan: How the hell should I know?
Fair enough.
As I climb into the SUV, my phone buzzes again.
Keenan: You could try an apology. With chocolate?
I snort loudly.
Brock: Where the hell do I get chocolate this early in the morning?
Keenan: See if the hotel gift shop is open. If not, you’ll just have to use your sterling personality.
I groan before I text back.
Brock: Why do I feel like that isn’t enough?
Keenan: Because Brock Winthrope is an acquired taste, but if anyone’s got a craving, it’s her.
Maybe that fourth cup of coffee was a bad idea.
I can’t stop moving now, so I walk up and down the aisle of chairs in the ballroom, ignoring the dirty looks and whispers I can hear behind my back.
“Holy shit. I can’t believe he showed his face!” someone hisses.
I throw a nasty look over my shoulder. But why bother?