Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 221(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 147(@300wpm)
I nod, my jaw clenching.
“Well, Clint found out, and had some of his goons lock me up on one of his yachts. I’ve been in stuck, mostly locked beneath deck off the coast of Miami for the last month, Mr. Kane.”
Holy shit.
I whistle lowly, standing and running my fingers through my hair.
“And you’re free now, I assume?”
“About an hour ago, yes,” she says tersely. “Some of my own staff finally got wind of it and called in the coast guard.”
“Jesus, Mrs. Henley—”
“Let’s leave it at Geri, please?” She laughs bitterly. “Trust me, I’ll be dropping Henley as fast as I fucking can.” She sighs. “So, there’s the big story, Mr. Kane.”
“Colton works.”
“Fair enough. Colton, I’m not a great mother, I’ll admit that. But I’m not a bad person, and I’d never run out on Brynn like that.”
I sigh slowly. “Well, Geri, I’m glad you’re okay, and I’m sorry to hear about…” I whistle lowly. “Well, all the shit you’ve had to deal with. And I’m glad you’re free of Brynn’s father.”
“Yes, yes…” she trails off, and there’s a moment of silence before she clears her throat. “Colton, I’m actually calling for a specific reason. A request, you could see. Or maybe an offer. Either way, I think you’ll be interested in this.”
My brow furrows. “I’m listening.”
“Terry—that’s my new man, who I was leaving Clint for. Terry Desplaté…” she trials off like I should know who the hell this is, but I don’t.
“Well, anyways,” she barrels along. “He’s a bit of an entrepreneur, and one of his ventures is primary ownership of a private school in the south of France. Lycée Montange D’or?”
I frown. That I actually have heard of.
“That’s a fantastic school, Geri. I’ve heard a lot about them.”
“Ahh, well, wonderful. Have you ever been?”
“No—look, I’m sorry Geri, but what is it you wanted to ask—”
“They’re looking for a new headmaster.”
I blink, my pulse skipping. “Really.”
“Really,” she parrots back. “And listen, I was thinking it might be nice for Brynn to get out of the U.S. for a while… you know, get away from the media shit show when all of this stuff with her father goes public soon. So…”
She trials off, and I frown.
“What exactly are you saying, Geri?”
She laughs. “Colton, you’re a smart man, what does it sound like? I put your name through Terry for consideration, and as it happens, they love you.”
I blink, my jaw dropping.
Hold up… what?
“You’re serious?”
“Entirely, yes. Colton, they’re offering you a job at four times your current pay.”
I whirl, my head spinning.
“And if I’m happy in Southworth? At Winchester?”
She laughs quietly.
“Colton, I have my own people, and they’ve been keeping tabs on my stepdaughter.” She clears her throat. “Close tabs.”
My jaw clenches. Shit.
“Look, I’m not mad or anything,” she laughs. “No, the opposite. You’re a good man, and you’ve protected her from all of it—her father, those thugs he did business with. All of it.”
“What you said about Brynn getting out of the States for a while…”
“I think she should go to Lycée Montange D’or to finish out her senior year, along with you as its new headmaster. And this school is, shall we say, freer with students’ activities on campus? And curfews? And, shall we say, dating choices?”
My mind goes blank, and I blink.
“Geri, precisely what are you saying.”
She laughs. “Jesus, Colton, I’m handing this to you on a silver fucking platter. I’m saying I have a very well-paying job for you, that Brynn can come too, and that for what it’s worth, you have my blessing with her, if you treat her well.”
She pauses.
“And you will treat her well?”
“Of course,” I growl fiercely. “Always, and forever.”
She laughs. “Well then, I’m not sure why we’re still having this conversation.”
I chuckle, when suddenly, I hear a knock at my front door.
“Geri, would excuse me for a second, there’s someone—”
“At your door, right?”
I frown.
“Are your people still watching me?”
Geri laughs heartily. “No, Colton, but I called Brynn right before I called you and told her what I was going to offer you.” She snorts. “I’m amazed it took her longer than a minute to get to you. Oh, and I’ve pulled some strings, and the cops outside your place are gone.”
I blink, trying to find words but coming up short.
“Geri—”
“You’re welcome, Colton,” she says quietly. “And thank you, for looking after Brynn.”
“You never have to thank me for that.”
I can hear her smile.
“Go to her, Colton. And think about the offer—”
“Yeah, I don’t need to do that,” I growl. “I accept.”
She laughs. “Yes?”
“Absolutely. You could tell me the job was garbage, and on fucking Mars, and if Brynn was going, I’d be there.”
Geri laughs again. “Well, I can promise you that southern France is a touch better than Mars. I’ll have Terry send over the paperwork.”
“Perfect.”
“Colton?”
I pause as I storm through the house for the front door.