Page 108 of The Rebel

I held my phone and leaned into the table. “I’m not lighting shit on fire. This war existed long before I had feelings for Rowan. What I’m going to do is get to the root of the problem and tackle it from there.” I had no idea how, but I would. “And you’re just going to have to play nice, Brady, and realize that the Coles aren’t our enemy. They’re three people who are going to double, if not triple, the billions we have in the bank.”

I got up, tired of this conversation, and I walked to my office, closing my door behind me and taking a seat at my desk. My computer monitor showed there were over two hundred emails I needed to read and probably at least half I needed to reply to. There were folders overflowing the corner of my desk, papers I needed to look at and process. I had a meeting in an hour I needed to prep for.

But instead of handling any of it, I unlocked my phone and replied to Rowan’s text.

Me

I know you can hold your own, but I wanted you to see a little fight in me.

Rowan

Real talk: it was hot.

Me

It wasn’t exactly honest, but, shit, I’d had enough of him.

Rowan

I’m the only one who will ever know, and that truth has been vaulted.

Me

You know … in a couple of weeks, I’ll be able to walk down the hall to see you.

Rowan

A move you’re looking forward to?

Me

Yes.

Rowan

You get more interesting by the second, Mr. Spade.

Me

I’m not done. You’re about to see a whole lot more.

Rowan

I’m ready …

TWENTY-TWO

Rowan

“Itold you I wasn’t done,” Cooper said once I opened my front door, “and that you were about to see a whole lot more.”

A visit that hadn’t been planned, taking me completely by surprise when, seconds ago, he’d called from my gate to let him in. With the two bags he was holding in his hands, I assumed he’d come straight from the grocery store, telling me this was going to be more than just a pop-in.

“Yes, you did. I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.” But, man, I was so happy it had. I held the side of the door, blocking the entrance. “What if I wasn’t home?”

“But you are.”

“What if I hated surprises?”

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