Page 93 of Forbidden Grumpy Boss

That’s the same thing I’ve been thinking.Where is she?She hasn’t called or texted, which is weird. “I mean, I should be asking you that. You were the last person to hang out with her.”

“She had to rush off earlier at the comic book store.” He picks up some tiles, rearranging them on his tray.

I frown. “Really? To where?”

Caleb shrugs as he arranges the tiles on the board and pumps the air as he’s used all seven tiles. He beams at me, proud of himself. I stare at the score. The kid’s kicking my ass.

“You ready for your final exams?”

“Doing my best,” he says, shrugging, as if exams aren’t a big deal. For Caleb, they might not be; the kid’s smart as a whip when he has nothing to worry about. And that’s the last thing I want for him right now: worries.

“Great.”

“Dad, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything.”

He wets his lip and purses his lips. “You and Leah are engaged, right?”

“Right.”

“So, when exactly are you guys gonna get married?”Shit.I focus on my tiles even though no words are coming to mind. “I mean,that’s what happens when you’re engaged, right, Dad? You get married and become arealfamily.”

The kid’s right. But how do I tell him it’s complicated? That Harvey’s probably going to poison me and end up in jail if I marry his daughter?

I’m still wondering what the hell to say when my phone rings, the screen lighting up with Harvey’s name.Thank God.I grab it.

Caleb catches sight of it, but I stand and ruffle his hair. “Just a quick call. Keep thinking of how you’re going to beat me, kid.”

“Already done,” he says, grinning as he grabs another tile.

“Don’t peek at my tiles.”

I exit to the balcony, sliding the glass door shut behind me. The air is cool against my skin; the city skyline sprawls in glass and stone beneath me. I hitanswer, my voice sharp as I greet him.

“Harvey.”

“Silas.”

“You okay?”

Harvey laughs mirthlessly. “This isn’t a social call, Silas.”

“I was under no illusion that it was. I was just wondering why the hell you were calling me. And if it’s about the offer, I don’t—"

“Change of plans, Silas,” Harvey drawls, cutting me off. “I don’t need you to take my offer anymore. Frankly, it’s no longer on the table.”

I clench my jaw. “Good. I wasn’t planning on taking it.”

“I’m also going to end the protests and constant slander in the media.”

Okay, that makes no sense. What is he playing at?“What are you talking about? I’m not taking your offer.”

“Yeah, I know. I just told you it’s off the table.”

“So why the hell are you doing me favors?”

“Well, I’m not. It’s your lucky day, Silas.”

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