Page 55 of Things Left Unsaid

“Of course not. We were in a secured area. He’d have been a fool to hurt me.”

“He was in a secured area?” he repeats, his confusion obvious. “Wait a minute, he wasn’t waiting for you in the parking lot?”

“No. Past security. Said he was flying out to Vancouver. He orchestrated the meeting between us.”

“That asshole,” he barks, and the insult is infinitely more reassuring.

He didn’t know Clyde intended on sabotaging me today.

SoGrand-mèredid tell him.

Probably over a conversation where they celebrated the ‘merger.’

“What did he want? Did he try to bribe you?”

There are moments in life where everything can hinge upon the decision one makes in that second…

I can literally feel the air throbbing with the importance of this occasion.

A relationship forged.

Ties mended.

An olive branch extended.

Or not.

Clinging onto the faith I had in the boy I once knew…

“Yeah.”

He grinds his teeth. Audibly. “What did he offer you?”

“Cash. I don’t think he realizes I’ll be working. Says I need spending money?—”

“The bastard lives in the Middle Ages.” He sighs. “Sorry for cursing.”

“New York’s my home. I hear worse on the regular.”

Still, that slight bit of levity does what it did earlier—encourages my anxiety to trickle away.

The release from its crushing weight comes with great relief.

“Still, I shouldn’t be cursing so soon. What will my future bride think of me?”

I bite the inside of my cheek at his teasing. “That you’re human? I think I’d prefer that. Pigeon Creek can’t decide whether the Korhonens are demigods or demons.”

He snickers. “Demons, maybe. Fitting considering that’s who Cole used to play for.”

The New Jersey Blue Demons, to be precise. I’ve lived with Tee for too long not to know that.

“That didn’t help matters, I’m sure,” is my prim retort. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you about your father.”

“I appreciate it. You didn’t have to say anything…”

I can sense he’s taken aback that I did.

“I know.” I pause. “I-I didn’t accept his offer.”

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