Page 45 of Claiming My Cocky Boss

Mia looked up, her eyes meeting mine, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. “It’s hard to believe, but... yeah. There’s no way around it.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to push down the frustration rising in my chest. “Derek and I have been friends for years. I trustedhim. Hell, we’ve been through so much together. And now... this?”

Mia reached out, her hand resting on my arm. The simple touch helped calm the storm inside me, even if just a little. “We’ll figure it out, don’t worry.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I looked at her, taking in the determination in her eyes. She wasn’t just doing this because it was her job. She cared, and that made all the difference.

“I’m going to have to confront him. There’s no other way.”

“Are you ready for that?”

Was I? I wasn’t sure. “I have to be,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “Derek needs to explain himself. I need to hear it from him, face-to-face.”

The betrayal stung, but I had to keep my head on straight. There was too much at stake—my company, my reputation, everything. I couldn’t afford to lose sight of that, no matter how much it hurt.

“We’ll go through all the documents and files again,” Mia said, shifting gears back to the task at hand. “I want to make sure we have everything lined up before you confront him. If this is what you think it is, you’ll need all the evidence to bring him down.”

She was right. This wasn’t just about my friendship with Derek anymore. This was about doing the right thing, about holding someone accountable for betraying the trust of those who worked for him. The realization settled heavily on my shoulders.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Mia.”

She smiled softly, a warmth that cut through the tension. “You’d be fine. Just maybe a little less organized.”

I chuckled, the sound a welcome break from the tension. “I don’t think so, and I don’t want to find out.”

She laid her head on my shoulder, and for a little while, we just sat there, the world outside the office fading away. I knew tomorrow would be a turning point—for me, for Edgewater, for everything. I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair. “I think it’s time to have a little chat with Derek.”

“You sure you’re ready?”

“Yeah. No more waiting.” I picked up the phone and dialed Derek’s number. As the line rang, I kept my voice steady though my heart pounded in my chest.

“Hey, Derek, it’s Liam,” I said when he answered, keeping my tone light. “Been a while. How about we catch up this Sunday? Come down to the cabin. We’ll crack open some beers and watch the game. Just like old times.”

There was a brief pause on the other end before Derek’s voice came through, cheerful as ever. “Liam! Sounds like a plan, buddy. I’ll be there.”

I hung up, setting the phone down on the desk. The trap was set.

Mia looked at me, a mix of pride and concern in her eyes. “You think he’ll suspect anything?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. But by the end of Sunday, he’ll know something’s up.”

And with that, I knew the wheels were in motion. The game was about to change.

Twenty-Two

Mia

"Go fetch!"

I threw the ball as hard as I could. Liam laughed beside me, cheering Daisy on like it was a championship game.

“Get it, girl!” he shouted, watching as Daisy tore across the yard, her tail wagging like she was on a mission.

I leaned against the porch railing, trying to catch my breath. A strange mix of calm and dread buzzed in my chest. The late morning sun made everything feel a little more peaceful than it should have, given what was coming.

“She’s got way more energy than I thought,” Liam said, shaking his head with a grin as Daisy bounded back toward us, the ball clutched proudly in her mouth.

“She’s unstoppable,” I replied, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “But hey, at least she’ll be wiped out enough to nap for the rest of the day.”

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