Page 32 of Go Deep

“He’s an investor in your company.” I finish for him. It’s clear that guy has some kind of hold on Vince. He didn’t say a word, not that I can blame him. He doesn’t know me fromAdam. Why would he put his neck on the line for a guy he doesn’t even know? He’s got a life and a business, and I know better than anyone that you have to protect what you have because you never know when it’ll be yanked away.

“Yes, but it’s…” Vince’s lips stretch into a tight line. “It’s more than that.”

“Look, I don’t want to put you in a bad spot. Maybe it’s better for me to take off and find another investment manager.”

My chest tightens as I move past Vince one last time. My skin prickles as my arms graze his. I ignore the heady scent emanating from his body, the one swirling around me, making me question my actions at this very second.

Because I don’t want to leave.

And I don’t want him towatchme leave.

I want him to make me stay.

But he makes no moves to stop me, and the air in here is so thick, it will choke me to death if I don’t get the hell out of here. God only knows how many other Bobs there are, watching me, judging me, and damning me at this moment.

Not that any of it matters. I can handle all of that. I’ve been dealing with it for a long time now.

What I can’t get a grip on is Vince just letting me walk out of here without so much as a shrug and anI’m sorry you had to deal with that asshole.

I push through the crowd toward the door to the skybox. Talk about misreading a situation. Jesus, I’d experienced plenty of adversity in my life, but that? It stung worse than a hive full of wasps.

I shove open the door and stalk down the carpeted hallway where all of the suites are located. I pull out my phone and type a name into Google. I clench my fists tightas I stare at the search results, and the urge to punch something…someone…consumes me.

I need to release the rage bubbling in my veins.

I wish I had a football right now. I’d fucking hurl it through a win?—

“Gabe.”

I stop dead in my tracks, my pulse throbbing against my neck. This reaction is ridiculous. I don’t even know the guy. Why are my feet stuck in this spot? Why do I give a damn what he has to say? Why can’t I just keep going?

I turn around slowly, holding up my phone. “Aren’t you afraid someone will see you out here with me and run back to your father?”

Vince slows down, his face pinched with remorse. “I’m so sorry about that. It was completely out of line, and I should have?—”

I hold up a hand. “Save it. You’re not alone. There are plenty of people who don’t want to be seen with me right now.”

“It’s not that.”

I slide the phone back into my pocket. “Look, Vince, for as many people who support my lifestyle, there are many more who hate me for it. I’ve dealt with my decision, and I’m comfortable with it even if the rest of the world isn’t.”

“I think you’re incredible...ly strong,” Vince murmurs, his deep brown eyes pools of regret. “Bob was wrong. So many of them are wrong.”

I shrug. “Yeah, well, I’ve overcome it. Goddamn haters are who sent me to you in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Those assholes at Equinox Capital didn’t decimate my portfolio by accident. They wanted me out. They didn’t want their firm’s name associated withmine. Not here in the big ol’ red state of Ohio, a place that breeds narrow minds and total fucking ignorance.”

“I didn’t know.” He presses his fingertips to his temples. “I’m so sorry…”

“Yeah, well, it won’t be the first time I have to find a new money manager. Just draw up a separation agreement and you won’t have to worry about your reputation being tarnished any more than it already has by associating with me.”

“That’s not what I want at all.” He takes a cautious step closer, but not before he glances around.

As if I wasn’t going to see the hesitation scrawled all over his face.

“I don’t think you know what you want, Vince. Maybe one day you’ll figure it out. In the meantime, have a nice life.”

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