Page 36 of Damaged

She’s an asset whose advice and assistance I need on this trip in order for it to be a success.

I was cold when I fired her, and I’ll be cold with her rehired. Simple as that. She’s not about to jump ship with the kind of money she’s getting. My cold shoulder is something she can deal with.

I get an incoming call from a private number. At this hour I know exactly who it’ll be.

“Cody,” I say. “How can I help you?”

“I heard your Egyptologist is out of commission.”

“I found a new one.”

“Good. You’re quick. You know the pieces we’ll be paying for, right?”

“Of course,” I say.

Cody is a tier higher than me in The Society. He’s my blackmailer.

I got in a situation I shouldn’t have. Cody is my age, but his ancient father works in Washington as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

It’s a role no one really thinks about, but he has a say in the spending of the Department of Defense’s budget. I got my first contract through connections I made in The Society, but now Cody is saying if I don’t go along with the plan, the government will quit purchasing Aquarius software.

I’m beingsoftlyblackmailed, and if I don’t facilitate the purchase of these artifacts, I lose my most valuable contract. It’s left me in a rage, mostly at the fact that Cody isn’t even leveraging his own power but his daddy’s. There is no peer my age who can hold a candle to what I’ve accomplished without being their father’s golden boy or girl.

The problem with being blackmailed is if you give in, it only shows that you’re bendable. I have plans for Cody, but those will have to wait for now.

“We want two cross-border transactions before they reach the states,” Cody says. “These pieces are supposed to be things that have never been for sale before. It will make sense when their prices double from purchase to purchase as the market determines their value.”

“Send me the list, and I’ll have my assistant look it over.”

“Very good. You’re almost clear, James.”

My fist wraps so tight around my scotch glass, I set it down before it breaks. I have to be careful not to tell him how he’s already forfeited his life. Once this debt is paid and I look like any old billionaire willing to play ball to the rest of the society, Cody is done for.

“Happy to pay it back, Cody.”

“Good man. Give me an update once the pieces are in transport.”

“Will do,” I say and end the call.

I go back to the bedroom and rouse my date. “Hey, I’ve got a flight first thing tomorrow. No sleepovers.”

“Huh?” She rolls over on her other side so she’s facing me and stares at me sleepily. “You want me out?”

I told her this when I texted her to come over, but apparently, I’ve fucked her brains out. I suffocate my annoyance. “Yes. I’ve got an early morning.”

She nods and starts to get dressed. I leave the room but stand back from the open doorway. Now that I watch her move, I realize this model kind of looks like Sophia. At least more than any other girl I could call over for a night of casual sex. I don’t know whether to be amused or horrified at the doings of my subconscious.

All I know is that it didn’t work. The itch is still there.

The next morning, I’m up hours before sunrise. I work out, take a cold shower, and have what a nutritionist would call a balanced breakfast. I’m starting this Egypt trip off on the right foot.

I texted Sophia last night that her car would come to pick her up to go to the airport at 8:30. I’m leaving at 8:00, and we can easily carpool, but she doesn’t need to know that.

The plane I’ve chartered is thankfully larger than it needs to be. We’ll keep our separate spaces in the air, too. The less time I spend next to Sophia, the better.

I don a navy suit, white dress shirt, and no tie, and then I take my private elevator down to the apartment lobby. I’m walking towards the doors and my black Mercedes idling outside when I freeze.

Sitting in an orange lounge chair is Sophia. She has earbuds in and a sweatshirt on. She has two big roller suitcases next to her with their handles up. I’m impressed that she’s dressed for traveling in comfort. My presence alone isn’t enough to get her to spend a nine-hour flight in work attire.

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