Page 74 of Moth to a Flame

When I get my pictures.

“I can, and I will.”

Finding what makes me happy is a foreign notion. As foreign as the charcoal suit I’m wearing is on my body. Alas, this is an important meeting.

As friendly as the three of us have been throughout the years, I won’t act like the news I’m delivering isn’t a big deal.

It is to them. I don’t have to see their furrowed brows and pinched lips to realize that. We’ve been working together for months on setting the groundwork for Moth to a Flame to get listed on the stock market.

This is more than money for them. I’m not that much of a prick to not see it for what it is. We’ve put months into this. On going over contracts. Dozens of hours wasted on meetings with lawyers and accountants.

They mean nothing to me.

My company does, and I don’t want to go public. Simple as that.

“Ignore him. He’s lashing out because we argued. He’ll get over it.” My best friend pushes his glasses up his nose, clearly not as confident as he’d like her to think he is. Despite how sharp he looks in his dark blue suit, he seems on edge. “We’re not pulling out.”

“Yes, we are.” My temper rises. I recognize this reaction from years ago. The bubbling anger when something stands between me and what I set my eyes on. In this case, my company. “I’ve had time to consider this. I’m not letting goddamn outsiders stick their nose in my business. This…”

They both frown when I gesture around the room. At Vince to my left and Beverly to my right.

“This is just a courtesy announcement.”

“I put down a mortgage on a new house,” she growls, her lips pinched. “I spent hours away from my wife. This isn’t right. You. Can’t. Do. This.”

“I’ll pay for your new house.” A few millions won’t make the slightest dent in my bank account. “As for Faith, take the week off. Take the month off. A paid leave, of course. Now, if that’s all, I’ll be on my way.”

Regan. I need inside her. I need to touch her.

There’s a free use pass I have every intention of abusing. Not just sexually. Regan has no idea that I’m about to monopolize every minute of her free time. Unless I have to be here for formal meetings, I’m moving my office to her store.

All I need is my laptop and her.

“That’s very generous of you, but—” she starts.

“That is not fucking all.” Vince slams his eyes closed. When he opens them, his blue gaze darkens. His hands ball into fists.

I’ve never seen him like this before, so I do as he asks. Sit there with my fingers steepled and listen. As bored as I am of this subject. As antsy as I am to get to Regan.

So bored that I notice that my nails need repainting. Torturing Tripp messed with the coat on my right thumb and it peeled right off.

Even that’s more important than discussing this.

I’ll have to do it before Regan closes the store, let them dry. I’ll paint hers too, just for the opportunity to touch her. Pamper her.

Right before I defile the living fuck out of her tonight.

For any of that to happen, Vince has to stop giving me the silent treatment. “Well?”

“I’m worried about you.” Disappointment flashes on his features. I care, barely. “You’re not being yourself. I’m your best friend and I have no idea what’s going on. Also. Sue the fuck out of me for not wanting to see you behind bars.”

The walls of this particular conference room aren’t made of glass like the rest of the offices are. They’re thick so no one can hear or see through them. I bet it wouldn’t matter to Vince either way, though. He’d still let anger slip into his voice.

“I’m not going to get locked up.” Truly, I’m not.

The worm I planted in Moth to a Flame and other government websites is untraceable. Tripp and Bobby won’t talk unless they have a death wish. Then there are the people I bribed. Maybe I should threaten them. Good point, I’ll get on it later.

After Regan moves into my house, with or without her consent. Ah, the perks of having free use over the woman of my dreams.

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