Page 93 of Broken Boss

Chatter starts among the reporters. Chris continues, speaking loud enough to be heard.

“I’ll still be CEO of Sharpe Law, but I will no longer be directly involved in any cases or decisions related to casework. My company was made aware of this decision late yesterday and I intend to uphold this choice for the next six months, minimum, if not longer.”

A female reporter just out of frame speaks up.

“Mr. Sharpe, what made you decide to step back from your work? Until today and your admittance to wrongly accusing Stephen Cooper, you’ve been one of New York City’s top defense lawyers.”

All of a sudden, Chris looks exhausted. Maybe I’m the only one who can see it. He still has on a perfectly tailored suit, cuff links glinting in the crisp sun, wool coat hanging perfectly from his broad shoulders.

But there’s something haunted in his eyes.

“I’ve recently been forced to reevaluate my life,” he answers lightly. “And what’s important to me. Right now, that’s family.”

More shouted questions and chatter take over as the camera pans down. The shot cuts back to the in-studio hosts, who look surprised, impressed, and skeptical.

Turning the volume down, I stare at the screen, willing Chris to appear again. I can’t shut down this longing in me.

He had to be talking to me. Only me.

Stephen’s family—that’s me. No one else. It’s just the two of us, and Chris knew that.

Stephen is coming home.

He did what he promised—got my brother out of prison—and at the cost of his reputation. It also sounds like Kieran is well on his way to being put away for that girl’s murder, as well as the recently committed crime at The Parlour.

“I have to talk to him.”

Frank pants excitedly as I sit up and shuffle around, tossing the bag of pretzels on the table, digging for my phone.

Family—he said family is what matters to him.

I have to tell him about this, about the baby. Because it isn’t just mine. It’s ours.

And just like Chris insisted so fervently that I deserve to be loved, he deserves to know about his child.

Chapter 34

Chris

The church Nathan and Gen chose is perfect. Small, in the country, about an hour outside of the city. Despite the cold, it’s a beautiful evening. The stars glitter in a cloudless sky as music plays somewhere in the adjacent barn, decked out in amber lights and evergreen garlands.

My entire family is inside. Nate, Gen, Eva, Roux, Jenson, Mel, and Miles. They’ve all gathered, laughing and celebrating the one thing none of us expected to find. Love.

So why am I standing out here, chilled to the bone and feeling utterly alone?

I’m just outside of the spill of light, feet on the asphalt drive, a cigarette dangling between two fingers. As I stare off into the night, a dark shadow approaches from the direction of the barn.

“I thought you gave that up, young man.”

My eyes cut to the familiar silhouette of Grant. He meanders easily toward me. Retirement looks good on him. I wonder if, in a few months, I’ll look as relaxed. But I doubt it.

“I did. Just a habit I’m hanging on to.”

It’s true; I haven’t brought the cigarette to my lips, but the scent of the smoke is calming. Our mother used to smoke, especially after Dad left, and I picked up the bad habit in high school. Quit in college when I realized it would ruin my image.

“Where is your friend?” Grant asks, leaning against a young tree.

My eyes narrow. “Hmm. What friend?”

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