Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“And you didn’t think it was important to tell me any of that?”
“I didn’t think you’d like it, and I was hoping to keep you out of it.”
“Now Jasper’s in danger, and it’s our fucking fault.”
Miles sighed. “I did offer to handle this another way.”
“I told you I agreed with Ford on that,” Carter said. “You’ve been walking the line too often.”
“Would you have made a different choice if I’d told you more details?” Miles asked me.
I considered that. “Maybe not at first, but now…. Those men won’t hesitate to kill Jasper if they think he’s not going to win for them.”
“My men are keeping an eye on him.”
“So it is you watching him apartment?”
Carter shook his head. “The men he saw aren’t ours.”
“You knew he was being followed, and you acted like—”
“Ford, I’m sorry.”
I stared at Miles in shock. He almost never apologized.
“If I’d known Jasper was involved, I might have made different choices.”
I nodded. “Thank you. What happens now? We need to tell Jay something. Even with protection from us, he’s still in danger.”
Miles shook his head. “It’s better if he doesn’t know any details.”
“So what are we going to do? Are you actually going to take this suit to court? Men like that won’t hesitate to kill Ms. Jenkins or Jay or anyone else if they get in the way.”
Miles nodded. “For now, we’re going to act like nothing has changed while we look at our best options.”
I considered telling Miles I’d changed my mind and ask him to have his contacts go in and take out everyone involved in this. If we ended this quickly, I could cut my ties to Jay and things could go back to normal.
Did I really want that? Jay might be an asshole, and he might be manipulating the fuck out of me. I might be the biggest fool to once again think there was more between us than lust.
“They’re watching his apartment. Even with our security watching them, Jay isn’t safe there. They called him at work and threatened him.”
“Fuck.” Miles ran a hand over his hair.
“If he alters his behavior too much, things could get worse,” Carter said. “He needs to act like he’s doing what they want.”
“He can keep going to work as usual, but at night, he’ll stay with me.”
“No.” Miles and Carter answered at the same time.
“I’m the counsel for the plaintiff. I’m the last person they’d think he was with.”
“Unless they see you together.”
“Carter’s men are too good to let that happen.”
Carter nodded his agreement. “I’ve already got men checking on you.”
“Did you see Jay come over last night? Is that why Worth guessed who was with me so fast?”
Carter shook his head. “No, you’re just that obvious.”
“Damn it.” I sighed. “If Jay is at my place, then you can keep an eye on both of us without him realizing it. He’ll be protected, but we won’t have to say too much. He can throw around the story at work that he’s staying with a new girlfriend. He doesn’t socialize with anyone from there, so they won’t ask too many questions.”
“And you’re just going to be fine with him staying at your house?” Miles asked.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know he’ll be safe.”
“Will you be safe?” Miles asked.
“Who the fuck knows?”
“At least try to take care of yourself.”
15
JAY
My receptionist buzzed my office, and I reluctantly picked up the phone. “Mr. Wainwright is here to see you. Are you available?”
Mr. Wainwright? Ford? I ran a hand over my hair and readjusted my tie. I’d assumed he’d do everything he could to avoid me after last night, not seek me out. “Yes, send him in.”
My cock reacted the moment Ford stepped into my office. He could have been straight off the set of a professor fetish porno. He had on a tweed blazer that would have been perfect for an Oxford don and glasses that set the whole look off to perfection.
I’d fucked this man and loved it, and now, seeing him again, I was actually considering what it would be like to get on my knees for him. Would he still demand that from me if I wanted more? Would I go through with it?
What was I doing even thinking about it? Last night was an aberration. I’d lost my mind. What was wrong with me?
You’re lonely and needy.
And I fucking hated that.
“Jay? Are you alright?”
Damn. I’d just been staring at him. “I’m fine.”
“No headache or anything?”
“I’ve felt better physically. What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d demonstrate how we can visit each other professionally.”
I glared at him. “Did you come here with a counterproposal or just to gloat?”
“So you are hungover?”
“Now who’s an asshole?”
Ford smiled. “I never said I wasn’t.”
“Tell me you’re actually here to negotiate. There’s really no reason to take this to court. I’m confident we can settle it between us and our clients.” I wished that was true.