Page 25 of Marrying My Ex's Boss

I called every chance I got, but there was no answer, and her cards hadn’t been used anywhere. For a moment, I thought she had done the unthinkable, and that shook me up a little, but there were no reports on the news about any accidents or suicides, so I had no idea where she was.

After a bender on Saturday night, I spent the rest of the weekend high on booze and drugs. It felt so free, so liberating not to have to worry about a wife and kids when I could be free and unencumbered.

I’d planned on asking for a divorce at some point when I got around to it, but only when things were in my favor. My secretary called through just then, “Mr. Tanner, Mr. Devereaux would like to see you in ten minutes.”

The bottom fell out, and I looked at Melanie in an almost panic. “In his office?”

“No, sir, the conference room.” I left my office on shaky legs and headed upstairs in the elevator with thoughts of termination running through my head. What the hell am I gonna do if I get fired? How am I supposed to live? My car. I only just bought my new car.

By the time I walked into the conference room, my underarms were wet. I was relieved to see that my ex-wife was not there, though.

“Have a seat.” I sat down on the chair indicated and straightened my tie.

I’d heard about this guy over the years. Some hotshot diplomat that no one really knew what he did but was always being lauded and written up for his work in obscure, unknown places. Nobody could’ve known that he would be taking over since his father was still alive and kicking.

That’s one of the reasons, one which I only acquired today, that I wasn’t so sure about the divorce. I was always under the assumption that Melanie’s dad would be inheriting the company, but her brother is just as good, I guess.

“I’ve been looking over your work history with the company. Very impressive.” The knot that had started to form in my gut started to untie itself a little.

“Let’s not beat around the bush; I’m promoting you to president, effective immediately.”

It took me a second to realize what he’d just said. And when I did, I couldn’t contain the smile that broke out across my face. I didn’t let the fact that he ignored my hand when I held it out to shake his sour my mood, nor the fact that he dismissed me so abruptly afterward. The guy lived in the jungles of Africa for years; no doubt he had forgotten social decorum.

I couldn’t wait to tell Melanie the good news, and here she thought we were going to be fired. I wore a shit-eating grin all the way back to my office.

MARCUS

Fucking slug. Go run back to your cage and celebrate. I want you to be very happy when I bring you down. Your happiest, in fact. I didn’t bring Justine in here with me because why the fuck would I do that? It’s bad enough she might have to see him at home for the time being because there was no law stopping him from going there.

I could move her out, but then she might lose the house in the divorce, and though she’s not going to be living there two minutes after her divorce becomes final, she still needs to win it for the ten years she’d wasted on his ass.

She and her kids aren’t going to need him ever, but they can do with the money what they will when they’re of age. As for Melanie, her time isn’t coming yet. But soon, very soon.

Shit, I have to find out what kind of ring my girl likes.

* * *

JUSTINE

* * *

“How was your first day at work?”

“It was…. I didn’t do anything.” She laughed and took a sip of her water.

“And you won’t either; he doesn’t need you to work. He has about four secretaries. He wants you there close to him, the freak.”

“Really?”

“You don’t understand him yet? He thinks he’s very complex, but he’s a big old baby. He’s like a kid. When he finds something he likes, he’ll hold onto that thing till death. But he’s a loyal son of a bitch I’ll give him that.”

“He’s one of the deadliest and yet sweetest men on the planet. Don’t be scared; you have nothing to worry about. It’s the rest of us who do.”

“I don’t understand; what does he want with me?”

“We’ve already been through that. Did he say anything to you about a feeling when you two met?”

I had to think back and sift through what I could remember of our conversations. “I think so, yes, when he followed me from the hotel that night. He said he knew as soon as he saw me.”

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