Page 121 of Reckless King

I let out a sigh. “I’m thrilled with how things are going, but…” I pick at a loose thread on the couch. “It doesn’t feel like just my success. It feels like Tate’s as well. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

With a frown, Anna gets up on her knees. “He may have provided the money—for aservice—but it was your hard work that brought it back, that got people in the door and reintroduced customers to your amazing coffee.”

“You’re right.” I firm my spine, willing myself to accept those truths. “I’m not going to let a broken heart take away from whatI’ve achieved.” Even though it doesn’t feel the way it should without Tate here. Even though it feels like something’s missing.

“That’s what I like to hear. I?—”

She’s cut off by the sound of her phone pinging. She picks it up to check the notification, and her mouth drops open.

“What is it?”

“Eric,” she says. “He’s been arrested.”

“What?” I snatch the device from her hand and skim the news report.

Senator’s Nephew Arrested Amongst Accusations of Embezzling.

The headline is accompanied by a photo of Eric, looking smug and arrogant, alongside a photo of his uncle. Underneath are a few paragraphs spelling out the minor details that were discovered about Eric’s crimes at the time of publication.

“I can’t believe it,” I whisper.

“I’m not sure why,” Anna says. “He’s proven himself to be a grade A piece of narcissistic shit. He probably thought he was too smart to get caught.”

I shake my head, but it’s true. I can imagine him thinking exactly that. “Why did you get a notification about this?”

“After Eric confronted you at True Brew, I set up a Google alert. He was obviously up to something.”

I shake my head, stunned. My first instinct is to call Tate. He was so upset about what Eric had done to me, he’d probably be happy to hear that the jerk has been arrested. Except, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he wouldn’t care. A hard lump forms in my throat. I still can’t reconcile the man in his office that afternoon, the one who was so tender, so protective, to the one who watched me walk away without any protest whatsoever.

My heartache must be written all over my face, because Anna leans in and gives me a hug. “If he doesn’t see what he let go, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

Tears sting my eyes. “I have you, and Mark, and that’s the most important thing.”

“You know.” Her expression brightens. “You still have your Onyx membership. Maybe you should?—”

“Oh no,” I say. “I don’t think sex clubs are for me. I’ve crossed it off my bucket list now, so I’m good.”

Anna laughs. “Along with dating a billionaire? Not many can cross that one off.”

“You’re right. I should appreciate the experience. How many people can say they’ve lived in a penthouse overlooking Central Park?”

“And you have so much more to look forward to.”

I nod. I wish I could get past this pain slicing through me so I could truly believe it myself.

An hour later, after Anna has gone home, I’m sitting on my couch staring at my phone. I brush my thumb over the screen, and before I can second-guess myself, I tap the Call button, waiting with bated breath as it rings.

A click on the other end makes my pulse leap, but it’s quickly followed by a recording. The sound of Tate’s deep voice, holding that thread of amusement, makes my chest squeeze.

I consider hanging up, but instead take a deep breath to bolster my courage. When the phone beeps, I clear my throat. “Hi, Tate, I’m not sure if you saw the news, but it looks like Eric’s been arrested. I thought you might like to know, but I guess… I guess you’re busy.” My chest constricts, so I wrap the call up quickly. The last thing I want to do is embarrass myself by bursting into sobs. “I hope you’re well. Bye.”

I hit the End Call button, throw the phone onto the couch, and cover my face with my hands. God, I probably sound clingy. Like all those women dying for another night with him. I wrap my arms around myself. He’s probably with some leggy blonde right now.

I lie down, curling myself into a little ball on the couch, and let the tears I can’t seem to escape fall once more.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

TATE

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