Page 46 of Bitter Beats

It’s comforting to know that someone understands my position. Acknowledges that while this decision may make financial sense, it contains an emotional cost.

My pride.

I don’t know how long we sit in silence, but most of the tension has seeped from my limbs when the door to the conference room bangs open.

I jump, and Aiden’s head swivels.

Mav enters the small space, his mouth twisted, his gaze sharp. He glares at me before his eyes swing to Aiden and narrow further.

“All done?” he bites out.

Aiden slides his hand from my shoulder and stands, swiping the folder up. “All signed.”

A muscle ticks in Mav’s jaw. He nods briskly. “Let’s go.” He directs this toward me, but his eyes are still on Aiden.

Aiden snorts and helps pull back my chair. “Take care, Kenny.”

“Thanks, Aid,” I murmur, slipping from the conference room.

Myboyfriendfollows me out. Tension tugs between us as we walk down the hallway toward the elevator bay. I press the button. Mav rocks back and forth on his heels and toes, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans.

The background noise of Aiden’s office—clacking keyboards, the shrill ring of phones, hearty laughter, and clicking heels on marble floors—continues. Uninterrupted.

As if my life didn’t implode. As if I didn’t just sign it away.

Mav huffs, irritated.

I roll my lips together and glance at the toes of my scuffed boots.

I just gave the next six months, maybe more, of my life to the charismatically cryptic, confounding charmer beside me.

The elevator dings, and the doors open. Mav and I step inside in unison, a leap of faith over the threshold.

Casually crossing the Rubicon, even though my mind races, and I want to vomit.

The doors close. Mav’s energy expands, heightening my anxiety.

This is a mistake.

I need to erase my signature.

I need to dissolve the contract.

Mav and I are?—

“You into him?” Mav bites out.

“What?” I look up. Look around.Who are we talking about?

A derisive snort. “Aiden. The fancy lawyer with the corner office.”

I squint at Mav.Is he serious right now?

A flush of anger rolls down my spine. Anger is an emotion I understand. After all, I’m a Byrne, and bitterness is a large part of our genetic makeup. I scoff at Mav as fury vibrates in my veins.

He traps his lips in between his teeth and lifts his eyebrows. Waiting. Does he want me to confirm his suspicions or shoot them down?

The elevator dings, and the door opens.

---