Page 168 of A Forgotten Promise

I don’t work from home as much as I did after her return from the hospital. She doesn’t need my help anymore. She needs space.

And I fucking want to occupy all her time and all her space, but I’m learning to give her freedom.

It’s fucking killing me. But at least she hasn’t left.

“I’m out of here,” I tell Larissa, who jumps from her desk like I caught her watching porn.

“It’s three o’clock,” she sputters.

“So?”

She gives me a puzzled look. “Can I leave too?”

I’m about to nod.

“No, you can’t,” Roxy warns behind me. “I’m sure you have enough work to fill your paid hours.” She smiles, and Larissa rolls her eyes but sits back down.

“Xander needs to talk to you,” Roxy says.

“What, are you his messenger now?”

I check my watch. The security camera showed Saar returning home, and I wanted to join her. We have no events to attend tonight, and I’m hoping a quiet night at home can… I don’t know what.

“He’s on the phone. He just texted me that it’s urgent.”

By the time we get to his corner, Cal and Declan are already opening his door.

Xander looks up, beaming. “They are all here for your good news, Don.” He hits the mute button. “And a bit of groveling.” He shimmies his hips like a fucking stripper.

I roll my eyes and hit the speaker. “Donovan.”

“Cormac, long time no see. I’m sorry about your wife.”

Everyone looks at me, because apparently a response is required when he throws fake compassion my way.

“She is doing well, but I’m assuming my marital bliss isn’t the reason we are here.”

“You’re as pleasant as ever. I got the approval from the board to continue the negotiation with AetherTech, with Merged as the facilitator.”

Approval, my ass. They know Vladislav wouldn’t get to the table without us. He kept his word and dodged their calls. And after Saar got shot, he forgave my no-show at his pet project gala.

“That’s great news, Don. We’ll be sending you a draft contract by the end of this week,” Xander says.

After we hang up, I make my way to the door.

“Where are you going?” Xander calls.

“Home. My wife is waiting.”

“Who knew the marriage would actually sway them at the end,” Declan mumbles.

“It was their greed that swayed them.” I leave them there, glimpsing Xander pouring whiskey as I round the corner.

It was their greed, but fuck, I’m glad they made me jump through the hoops. The deal may have started it all, but it lost its importance a while ago.

I come home with the same pit in my stomach—part excitement and part dread. I find Saar on the patio. As always.

The days are warmer, the humidity slowly becoming an everyday toll of life in Manhattan, but she started the fire, anyway.

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