Page 20 of One Night Collision

Can it really be that simple? God, I want it to be.

“Don’t take the choice out of his hands, Maggie. That’s not fair to either of you… Now, I want some roses for Lizzie. She’s pissed, so make it good, and give me the Dr. Phil discount.”

“That would involve charging you double,” I fire back. “How about I give you the friends and family discount? It’s a pretty good one seeing as it’s never been used before.”

—

It’s twenty minutes after four when I walk into Damien’s office. The receptionist is already gone for the day and his officedoor is open so I just head in that direction. I stop in the doorway just to take it all in. He’s at his desk, jacket and tie discarded, sleeves rolled back—universally sexy for reasons no one can fathom—and his hair is mussed like he’s been running his fingers through it.

“You here for reasons, Maggie, or just to ogle me?” he asks, without even bothering to look up.

“I kinda thought ogling was a reason, but I could probably give you a better one.”

He does look up then, and I can see the anger and hurt swirling in his gaze.I did that. I put that there.

“That all depends on whether or not you’re gonna stick around after… Or will this be another ‘fuck me, now fuck off’ situation?”

“It wasn’t that,” I tell him. “I was scared.”

“I’m not your ex-husband!” he snaps.

“No, you’re not. And if I’d had even a single doubt that you might be, I’d never have let you touch me.” My own temper is getting the better of me so I make myself stop and take a deep breath. “I’m not here to fight with you. I just needed you to understand why I did what I did… why I panicked.”

Opening my phone, I scroll to my texts and pull up the legal documents that Calvin had texted me that night and pass it to him. “I thought that it wasn’t worth it. That I wasn’t worth what you—and your family—would be risking. So I bailed.”

He reads through everything with a sneer, then looks up at me. “I’ve counted thirteen technicalities that make that contract invalid… and that’s without even trying. Let him come for my parents’ farm, Maggie. Fucking let him. I will own him. He won’t be able to shit without asking my permission.”

“That’s it? I’m over here scared shitless that being with me is going to wreck your life and that of everyone else you know, andyou just dismiss it like it’s some bullshit scammer calling you about replacement windows?”

Damien looks at the documents again. “Frankly, scammers would have been more thorough… but you didn’t send me packing because of this, Maggie. You did it because you’re as afraid of letting me in as you are of Calvin.”

There’s a ring of truth in that I can’t deny. And I won’t. “I am scared. I can’t help that. I’m trying though. Can’t that be enough for now?”

He stares at me for the longest time. Until I want to squirm. Then he just laughs a little and shakes his head. “I wish to fuck I could say no… But I’m not ready to give up on you just yet. I’m not ready to give up on us.”

Chapter

Fifteen

Damien

I adjust the rearview mirror, checking my reflection one last time. The streetlights cast a dim glow across my face, highlighting the determination in my eyes. Tonight isn't about looking good. It's about sending a message.

Troy slides into the passenger seat of my truck, his police uniform replaced by jeans and a dark hoodie.

"Are those the shoes you're going to wear?" Troy asks, raising an eyebrow.

I glance down, seeing how nasty these boots are, and then lift my head up with a grin. "Damn straight. He wants to fuck with me, I'll fuck with him. I might have money, but you know I don't care to get my hands dirty. Should I thank you for helping me break into Calvin's house, or no..."

"We're keeping this between us. I am an officer of the law. Once I do this, we're even."

"Definitely."

The drive to Calvin's overpriced mansion on the outskirts of town is quiet. My mind races with all the things I want to say, all the ways I want to make him hurt for threatening my family's legacy. For hurting Maggie. The farm has been in my family forgenerations, and this entitled prick thinks he can just swoop in and take it? Not happening.

Troy helps me bypass the security system, his fingers moving quickly over the keypad. The benefit of having a childhood friend become a cop—he knows all the tricks of the trade.

"Twenty minutes," he whispers, checking his watch. "That's all you get."

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