Page 88 of Cause of Action

“Go ahead. I need an answer, Morgan.”

“An answer?” My brows furrowed.

“This has gone on long enough. I need to know if you’re going to accept the job I offered you. I think I’ve been more than patient.”

“I haven’t decided yet, Roman.”

“Bullshit. You already made your decision. If you really wanted to stay in Los Angeles, you would have accepted it already. I’m not playing your games anymore.”

“I’m not playing games. What the hell do you want from me?” I threw my arms out to the side.

He stared at me, his once beautiful blue eyes filled with anger. “Here.” He handed me an envelope.

“What’s this?” I opened it and pulled out a check.

“That’s payment for helping my mother. Take it and go.”

“What do you mean?” My brows furrowed.

“I want you and your things out of my house by tonight.”

“Wow. You’re an asshole, Roman Hamilton.”

“You’re not the first woman to call me that, and you certainly won’t be the last. Just go, Morgan.”

“Roman, please. Just let?—”

“NO!” he shouted. “I’m done.”

“Fine.”

“Leave the car in the driveway and the keys on the island before you leave.”

“Yeah. I will.” I stormed out of his office.

I ran out of the building, climbed into the car, and gripped my chest. My heart ached so badly that every breath I took hurt. Why was I so afraid of settling? I drove to Roman’s house and began packing my suitcase. Tomorrow night was when the shipment was coming in, so I’d check into a hotel for a couple of nights, follow Weathers to the port, bust him, and return to New York and try to move on with my life. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I placed my hand on my belly and held it there, thinking about the baby growing inside me—a baby that didn’t deserve a mother like me. What kind of life could I give the child when I couldn’t even figure out my own?

I rented a car and checked into the Marriott. The phone I had tied into Agent Weathers’ rang, so I quickly grabbed it.

“What’s up?” he answered.

“We got him.”

“Good. Where is Miss Ashley?”

“We lost her, boss. But we’re trying to find her.”

“You better. I’m on my way there. So, you better find her fast and bring her to me. She better bring that program if she wants to see her boyfriend again.

“On it.”

My heart raced out of my chest as I quickly dialed Roman’s number. No answer. I called Julian.

“I was just going to call you, Morgan. Is Roman with you? Because his car is in the parking garage, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. This was all my fault.

“I have to go, Julian. I’ll call you back.”

---