Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
“Which is why we’re leaving the city.”
“I’m exactly who we want them to target. Let’s catch these assholes and get back to our life.”
“This feels too obvious anyway,” Davis says. “She was already a target. Any logical asshole will know we’ll be watching her.”
“Too obvious are words that too often get people in trouble,” Blake snaps. “The enemy believes you think that and makes it work for them. Look,” he leans on the table, “let’s just play this cautious but not extreme, Grayson. You both can go about your normal days, as soon as the fucking press allows it, and we’ll keep you and Mia safe.”
“Hurting Mia is the way to hurt me,” he says. “The rest, I don’t give a shit about.”
“Of course, you do,” I say. “This is your father’s brainchild that you and Eric have turned into something he’d be proud of. We’re staying here and fighting for it. And I have a client who needs me right now, not to mention my excitement to define my role with the company, and just go home. I want to go home.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Nancy walks in, shuts the door, and leans on it. “My God. A temp came in for one of the attorneys. He was digging through the desks. He was a reporter. He’s locked in the conference room. Security called the police.”
Grayson stares at her for several long beats, which might seem like a non-reaction, but those of us who know him know otherwise. He’s simmering hot inside, irritated by the lack of control he’s experiencing and I truly believe the only reason he hasn’t taken that control back is that his every move is dictated by fear for me. I don’t know how to fix that, but I know I have to, we have to because shackling his instincts isn’t good for him, us, or the company and its employees.
“Give every employee on staff here in the corporate offices a bonus equal to their Christmas bonus,” he responds, “including yourself, Nancy. It’s the least I can do for the hell you’re all enduring.”
She blinks and instead of greedily just accepting, she says, “That’s a lot of money, Grayson.”
“And this is a bloody mess. Do it. Make it happen today.”
“Okay. Yes. I’ll get with accounting now. Do you want to press charges?”
“I’ll handle the reporter,” Davis offers. “I’ll be right there, Nancy.”
“Thanks, Davis.” She turns a questioning look on Grayson.
“Go make that payday happen,” he says.
She nods and exits the office. Then, as if he’s read my mind, as often it seems he does, his gaze shifts and lands on me. “You’re right. We need to take our life back.” His attention shifts to Blake. “This is why I just want to do an actual sit-down in-depth interview, not a quick press conference, and get this over with. We need the fascination with all things us to end.”
“I don’t disagree with that strategy,” Blake replies, “but you need to talk to Reese Summer first.”
“I don’t like this idea that Grayson needs an attorney,” I state. “Why does he have to defend himself from the FBI, who should be protecting him right now?”
“You’re an attorney,” Davis replies. “You know how well we insulate our clients.”
“I get that,” I say, “but it angers me that Grayson is getting hit on all sides.”
“We don’t have to defend if we attack first,” Eric says, eyeing Blake. “You and I need to find a way to smoke out the problem. I’m up for an all-day, all-nighter if you are.”
“I’m all fucking in,” Blake says. “And so is my team. I suggest you bring your savant brain to our offices where we can hook it up to our resources.”
Eric agrees. “Done.”
“I for one, nix the interview idea,” Davis interjects, swinging back to the prior topic. “Reporters are vampires. They’ll take this FBI mess and twist it.”
Eric scoffs. “Are you fucking serious, Davis? They’re already doing that. We need to do reputation damage control, and Grayson and Mia together do that better than anyone else possibly could.” He eyes Grayson. “Grayson?”
A thought hits me and I push into the conversation. “I know some people hate Grayson for being Grayson—rich and powerful and good-looking—but he’s a good man. The people who work here know he’s a good man. I have a hard time believing that won’t come across in an interview. And I have to believe that some of those people who came here to hurt Grayson will change their minds.”
“But some won’t,” Blake states. “We just need to make sure anything that comes at us is a sideswipe, not a permanent dent.”
Meaning they need to make sure I don’t end up dead. Or that’s my assumption, though it seems a fairly good one right after having a gun held to my head. It’s in the air, hanging there, a heavy rock that wants to smash me right in the head.