Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“I’m sure and I’m not sure. I don’t want to face him.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I do.” I touch his cheek then I move forward into the waiting room.
It’s strange being back here. I walked through these halls dozens of times when I was the mail girl for Malcolm’s real estate investment firm and I’m extremely familiar with the executive level, and yet it feels totally foreign to me now, like it’s a hostile invading army and I just waltzed right into its camp. I’m not sure if that makes me brave or stupid.
“If you’re doing this to prove something—” Gavino’s concern lights a fire in my heart. Without him here, this would be impossible. Even though he hurt me when he sent me away, he’s done nothing but work hard to make sure I understand that he’ll never do something like that again.
And it shows in everything he does. His touch, his smile, his lips. He can’t keep his hands off me, and sometimes he’s overly protective.
I love him for it.
I’ve never felt so safe in my life when he’s around, and with him by my side, I can handle this.
“Just trust me, okay?” I take a deep breath and let it out. I hope I can trust myself enough to go through with my plan, even if it seems insane.
But we can do it together.
He nods once. His eyes are conflicted, and I can tell he wants to shield me from the pain of whatever I’m about to go through, but I need to do this.
For myself and for him.
Casso talks with the receptionist as I stay near the elevators. Gavino remains by my side, taking his promise not to move more than five inches away very literally. After a reasonable amount of time waiting, a young female associate brings us back to the main conference room.
“Mr. Strafford will be in shortly,” she says with a smile and exits again. Casso sits down and sighs, leaning back in his chair, and I shuffle over and take a seat near the front. Gavino lingers behind me.
“All right, Jeanie,” Casso says, giving me a look, his eyebrows raised. “We made it this far. I’ve been basically dying to know why the hell you want to talk to your father, but hey, I’m a team player. I haven’t asked for details. But now I can’t help myself. What’s in the folder?”
He nods at the stack of papers in front of me. I smile a bit and put my hands on top of it, holding it down so he can’t snatch it away. Not that he would, but you never know.
“It’s a surprise for my father. And for you, actually.”
Casso glances at Gavino, who grunts in response. “I have no clue,” Gavino says, which is true. I refused to tell him what’s in the document, although he provided me with all the resources I needed to get it crafted and air-tight.
Casso sighs. “I promised I’d trust you both, but I’ve got to be honest, this is nerve-racking. I don’t like being in the dark, particularly when it comes to my business.”
“Will it help if I said that what’s in this folder will make you happy and give you everything you want?”
“So it’s full of money? I knew it. Although the amount of money that would make me happy likely wouldn’t fit in this room.” He seems thoughtful, head tilted. “Unless we put it in diamonds.”
“Actually, in a way, yes, that’s exactly right, this is full of money. Not diamonds though, sorry.”
He laughs, looking totally bemused, but shrugs. “All right, works for me. You said I had to be here, and here I am. I’m ready for the ride.”
Gavino slumps into the chair next to mine and wheels it as close as he can. “If Malcolm so much as makes one wrong twitch, I’m going to stab him in the neck,” he says and moves his suit jacket aside to show me a knife in a sheath at his hip. “I fucking mean it.”
“Easy there,” I say and touch his cheek. “You’re still healing. And you shouldn’t bring a knife to a business meeting.”
“Fuck it. I can take him.”
“You’re an old man, remember? Besides, it won’t come to that.”
He growls softly and kisses my cheek. “I’m not that old.”
“Sure you’re not.” I grin and kiss him quickly, and as I pull away, the door opens.
Malcolm steps into the conference room. I stand and Gavino gets up at my side. Casso remains seated, leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head like he’s only half paying attention and barely a part of this discussion.
Malcolm takes in the scene for three silent beats of my heart before frowning. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to see either of you anytime soon.” He stays near the door, looking like he’s not sure if he should run or come in.