Page 53 of The Woman

“That’s right. I finished it up this morning.”

He leans forward. “Let’s see it, then.”

Of course, he wants to check if it’s acceptable before presenting it to such an important person. He trusted me enough to give me the job but not enough to not check my work first.

I reopen my laptop, making sure Avery isn’t still on the screen, then pull up the rendering and turn it to face him.

The quiet amazement that crosses his face is hard to miss and slightly insulting, though it shouldn’t surprise me. It has taken quite some time to finish this one and I did struggle along the way.

“This is remarkable,” he says, tracing the design with his eyes before leaning back. “I knew getting you a woman right now would pay off.” The funny thing is, he’s both right and wrong in that statement because Avery was the inspiration, but if she were a normal woman, I don’t think I would be feeling the same way. “Sex is good for you,” he continues, glancing back at the laptop. “I’m getting older and honestly can’t do as much as I used to, but this makes me feel better about handing over more and more to you and Allard.”

I’m taken aback by his admission. He’s always presented himself as nothing less than a formidable and strong man – both mentally and physically – in front of me. His words seem to paint him as a regular, aging man.

I study him under this new light, noting the harsh crevices on his face and the loosened skin surrounding his eyes. He suddenly looks old – aged within a few minutes.

But then, just as quickly as the mask slipped off his face, it returns. He straightens, pinning me with his hardened gaze. “We will set up a meeting of sorts for later this week with Anderson and a few others. I’ll be informing him that he’ll be dealing with you from now on. You’ll bring your woman with you.”

Unease immediately settles in the pit of my stomach as his words from the party float into my mind, making my hands clench into fists below my desk.

“If the right person wants to fuck your woman, you should let them.”

Not to mention, in a smaller group, she’ll be more under the spotlight, so to speak, than at the gala.

“I don’t see what bringing Avery will accomplish.”

“It’s important that our enemies are aware of our status and dominance, Phoenix, but make no mistake, it’s just as important that our associates . . . our friends, honor our stature as well. A woman represents your position in life at such a young age. They need to respect you and be reminded of who you are.” His words are pointed, almost as if he were reminding me of who I am. “Besides, you never know when she’ll come in handy.”

I can only imagine what he means by that.

“I already had Thomas set up a meeting. He wasn’t available until next week.”

“Bah.” He swishes his hand in the air in front of him, dismissing what I said. “Have him call back and tell him to meet you at the Bolstrom club for brunch on Thursday at eleven. I’ll phone the others.”

Rising to his feet, he tugs on the bottom of his suit jacket as he usually does and levels me with a stern look, the older and frailer version of him nowhere to be found.

“You know, if you’re displeased with her you can exchange.” His change in the subject has me pausing for a moment.

“She is acceptable,” I reply. “Besides, she’s been used plenty, and it’s been a few weeks.”

“And what does that matter?” he asks hotly. “Even if it was past the thirty days, you want to return her? You fucking return her. It’s not like she’s tattooed yet.”

“She’s not.”

As I say the words confirming it, something stirs within me. My mind has to be messed up if, instead of handing over this woman who is actually classed as a defect, I find myself getting aroused at the thought of tying her to me permanently with a tattoo that we’ll both share.

“If you want a different one, they can give you a new one immediately. You need to stop asking for things, Phoenix, and take it.” With that, he gets up and leaves.

I stay seated at my desk for a few extra minutes, thinking over what he said.

I’m sure my need for control and my bossing people around, as Avery put it, is all from him. Having power and using it to your advantage was something instilled from a young age. But sometimes, he goes beyond the normal, stepping on top of others to show that he’s better and can have whatever he wants.

I used to want to be just like him, but as I stare at the door he just walked through, I realize I don’t want that anymore. Not all of it, at least.

Flicking my gaze back to the screen, I make a move to open the live feed again but stop myself with my finger hovering over the button. Instead, I close it up and gather my stuff to head home. I know it’s early, but I arrived here early.

Plus, that same invisible rope that’s incessantly pulling at me, urging me to go home and see Avery is there, and instead of fighting it as I have been, I let it guide me, leading me by its grip around my neck.

Once I’ve entered my apartment, I kick off my shoes and start tugging at my tie as I walk through the foyer. I glance around the open space and spot her when she tilts her head against the glass window while looking out at the city, the afternoon sun’s rays illuminating her blonde strands.

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