Page 59 of The Billionaire & the Nanny: Part 4

Kase

It’sthe longest train ride of my life.

Downtown to the Financial District, but that’s not why it feels so long. It’s because I’m heading to see Raymond Silas at BestBank, the company he’s currently heading. After two weeks at home with a lot to think about, I finally got tired of the ghosts of those I love, some dead, some still alive, haunting me day and night. I finally got tired of working my ass off to arrive at nothing.

“Sir? You’ll need to sign in.” The receptionist’s finger is on the trigger, ready to call down security if I don’t cooperate.

But that’s not me, so I turn towards the pretty young woman behind the glossy black counter. “I’m here to see Raymond Silas, please.”

“Raymond Silas doesn’t take unsolicited calls. You’ll have to make an appointment.” Her green eyes glance away a moment then return to me with a wince. “Are you Kase Hardwin?”

“Yes, why? Is there a Wanted poster with my face back there somewhere?”

“Actually…”

“Just tell him I’m coming up. Trust me, he’ll want to see me.”

“Mr. Hardwin? You can’t go up…”

I enter the elevator right as a security officer heads my way. I’m already here and I won’t be making a fucking appointment. I don’t negotiate with fucking terrorists who steal what they want when they feel like it. The elevator doors close. “See you on the thirtieth floor, boys.” I flash a smile.

For the first time in months, maybe even years, I feel like myself again. Business was always my forte. Relationships, not so much. But I can learn how to be better. And the people I love have taught me a lot about that.

When the elevator doors slide open, there’s already three people waiting for me in suits. Behind them about twenty paces is the scumbag I’m looking for. “What, you can’t do your own talking, so you have to send people my way?”

“What do you want, Hardwin?”

“We’ll talk behind closed doors.”

“We’ll talk here. Whatever you have to say, you can say it right here.”

“Fine, have it your way—I have a present for you.”

Raymond stares at me with those beady little blue eyes of his. I fucking hate that I can see Liam in them, but I tell myself that’s just genetics. The kid has his mother’s everything else and with the right upbringing, he’ll never have to end up like this asswipe. Raymond waves the people away. “Come to my office.”

“I knew you could be persuaded.” I smile, walking past the guards and office personnel. “Hey, how’re you doing? Nice tie.” Following the sewer smell down the hall, I enter the rat’s lair and have a seat, putting my feet up on his desk.

“Can you…get your feet down, please? This is an office building.”

“I’ll put my feet wherever I goddamn well please, Silas. After you took everything that mattered to me, my feet should be the least of your worries.”

“Don’t make me call security back to remove you.”

“If they remove me, you’ll never get your present, and then how will you be able to afford your new house in Fiji?”

“What new house in Fiji?”

“The one we all want you to fucking move to, because we can’t stand being around you anymore. You can get there with your new super yacht, too. While wearing your Speedo made of gold.”

“What’s this about, Hardwin?” Raymond shouts, pounding the desk.

“Ooo, temper, temper.” I wag my finger at him. “Good thing Evie dodged that bullet.”

“Too bad she didn’t dodge the one that killed her.”

“Fuck you, asshole.” I slam my feet on the floor, as Raymond picks up the phone to call security. I open my briefcase and take out papers. Deeds, titles, Articles of Incorporation, everything to do with Albert C. Roper’s business, Newfound Ad Agency. “This…” I push the papers his way. “Is why I’m here.”

“What is this?”

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