Page 74 of Unlucky You

“You don’t want a handout, fine. You just paid me. One dollar for forty percent.”

“Walt, that’s not how this works.” I frowned.

“Who says it doesn’t? My company, my price. I’m charging one dollar. Take those with you and think on it. If you want to work tomorrow, then I suggest you sign them.”

He rounded his desk with a scowl set in place when he proceeded to leave the office.

“If I don’t sign these you’re firing me?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Consider it a temporary leave to work through that damn stubbornness and deal with your ego. Don’t think you can really afford that right now but the choice is yours.”

“Muthafucker…” I muttered, lifting the papers and following Walt out the office. When we reached the glass door, he let me out first, then followed, turning a key in the lock. “I’ll see you in the morning and you’re welcome.”

I grinned, lifting my chin in admiration. “Thanks, Walt. I appreciate this.” I held up the papers, heading to my car, but themoment was disrupted by a voice I hadn’t heard in years. One I wouldn’t care if I ever heard again.

“Do you know he’s a felon who killed two people?” The muscles in my jaw clenched when I turned to see Aleah’s father heading in our direction. I also didn’t miss that he said killedtwopeople. He still blamed me like I was the one who put that shit in her drink. I already blamed myself enough. Didn’t need him doing it too.

“Who are you?” Walt was by my side in a matter of seconds.

“I’m the man whose life he destroyed when he got my daughter pregnant with his bastard then murdered her.”

My fists clenched at my side and I felt myself about to move until Walt held up his arm, grabbing ahold of mine.

“You should leave.”

“You should be more selective about who you hire. He tarnishes your ability to have a reputable company.”

“How the fuck do you know where I work?”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t? She lost her life; you don’t get to have one,” he sneered, then addressed Walt. “He’s a felon. What would your customers think about who you allow in their businesses and homes?”

“They’d think we do a damned good job of delivering the quality they expect and pay for.”

Aleah’s father smiled smugly. “I have a lot of pull in this city. A few calls from me can complicate your ability to function and bring in new customers.”

“Are you threatening to slander a reputable business because of a personal vendetta?”

“I’m saying that I will do whatever’s necessary to ensure this piece of shit doesn’t have a life since he took my Aleah from us. Take it how you want, but believe me, I will make you regret hiring him.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“You are what’s wrong with me. I lost her because ofyou.”

“You lost her because she wasn’t what you wanted her to be. You lost her before that night ever happened. You turned your back on her, denied our son, and proved you didn’t give a damn about Aleah.” I got right in his face and it took every ounce of control I had not to smash my fist into it. “You want to blame me, fine. You want to punish me, do that shit, but you fuck with him, you’ll be the one with regrets.”

Walt was beside me again. He forcefully pushed me back so there was space between us.

“I don’t think felons are allowed to make those types of threats. Your actions will be taken a lot more seriously.”

He smiled smugly and turned to Walt. “You might want to think about what I’ve said.”

“You might want to think about what an old man like me is and isn’t willing to lose.”

He walked away, got in his car, and pulled away. I pushed the paperwork I was holding into Walt’s chest which he looked down at when I spoke. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

He grunted and stepped back, refusing to take it. “I don’t give a shit about what you think. I’ll see you in the morning, Grand. Sign the gotdamn paperwork.”

EIGHTEEN

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