Page 110 of Wicked Fantasies

He knew his uncle would be upset by his resignation, but he didn’t anticipate the outright fury written in the older man’s eyes. He wasn’t sure why Brian was so mad. He’d still have Frankie. God knew she was a more than competent replacement. She’d already proven herself and her worth to The Donovan Group.

Brian slammed his fist on the top of his desk and bent forward. “I have a letter of resignation here. Who wants to explain it to me?”

Reed fought against the instinct to look at Frankie’s face as his uncle blurted out the news. He’d intended to pull her into his office first thing this morning. Explain to her why he was leaving. She’d worked too hard to achieve this position in her career. She deserved the chance to enjoy it.

Besides, he’d known for some time his days were numbered at The Donovan Group. Something had broken in him when his uncle sent him to London. His confidence in his abilities was on shaky ground. Perhaps a new job would help him regain it…and Frankie.

“I’m afraid things just didn’t work out.”

Frankie’s voice penetrated his thoughts and he turned to look at her. She knew? She knew he’d resigned and that was her only response?

“Didn’t work out,” Brian repeated. “We just landed three huge deals. The Donovan Group has set itself up for the best quarter it’s ever seen and you think things didn’t work out? You want to tell me exactly what didn’t work?”

Reed took up the battle. “Brian, you can’t think this hasn’t been coming. I mean, you knew I was unhappy about the trip to London. If you’d just explained why you felt it was necessary to send?—”

Brian exploded, interrupting him. “I don’t have to explain a fucking thing to you. Dammit, Reed, you should know by now I have my reasons.”

“I understand that, but…” Reed shrugged and paused, realizing anything else he said would prove to his uncle how badly he’d been hurt. He wasn’t comfortable revealing any weakness. He glanced over at Frankie, finally seeing the confusion he’d expected when Brian told her he was resigning. Then he realized if he’d learned anything in the last month in her presence, it was that sometimes taking a leap was worth it. He still had a long way to go to win her heart, but he was more determined now than ever.

He looked at his uncle again. “I thought you believed in me.”

His answer took the wind out of Brian’s sails, and he watched his uncle slowly drop into his desk chair. “Of course I believe in you, Reed. What would ever make you think I didn’t?”

Reed shrugged. “You sent me to London to play office manager. When I came back, you’d set Frankie up as a partner. If you’d felt I was losing my touch, I wish you’d?—”

“Losing your touch?” Brian leaned forward. “Is that how you’ve interpreted all of this?”

Reed felt his anger spark at his uncle’s slightly condescending tone. “How else was I supposed to take it?”

“I don’t understand what any of this has to do with me resigning from the company,” Frankie said.

Reed turned to her. “You’re resigning?”

“Of course. Isn’t that why we’re sitting here?”

She turned to face Brian at the same time Reed did, and they both watched his uncle open the file folder on top of his desk. He withdrew two pieces of paper, handing each of them one. Reed reared back when he saw Frankie’s signature at the bottom of the resignation letter.

“You resigned?” Frankie whispered, looking up after reading the letter of resignation he’d faxed to his uncle this morning. “Why would you do that?”

“You deserve to be here. You’ve worked hard for this job and I know you’ll continue to succeed. I’ve watched you in action, Frankie. You’re brilliant.”

“But…” Frankie blinked rapidly and for a second, he thought he saw the slight trace of tears in her eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“I was worried you’d leave the firm as long as I was still here. I thought if I gave you some space, some time, we could work through—” he paused and looked at Brian, then he forged on, “—our other issues without the added pressure of the job.”

She frowned. “You’re resigning so that I’ll stay, so that I’ll continue to work here?”

Reed turned in his chair. He wanted her to see, to read the sincerity in his face. “You’re good at what you do. Damn good. The Donovan Group was lucky to land you and I sincerely hope, for my uncle’s sake, you never leave. You’re an asset and I think lately I’ve become a liability. So I’m removing myself from the equation.”

“I’m an asset. You don’t want me to ever leave?” She whispered the words so low, Reed wasn’t sure he’d heard them correctly. He couldn’t understand why his actions seemed to shock her so.

“Why were you resigning, Frankie?” Reed asked.

She looked at him and then did a quick sideways glance at Brian. He knew she didn’t want to discuss their private lives in front of his uncle, but he also knew the old man was canny enough to read the writing on this wall. She shrugged and answered. “I was afraid.”

Of all the answers she could have given him, none would have surprised him more than that. He snorted. “I thought you weren’t afraid of anything.”

She grinned at his compliment briefly, the smile fading to one of sadness. “I’m afraid of quite a lot. A committed relationship seems to be at the top of that list though.”

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