Page 75 of The VIP Package

The phone rings twice before a jovial voice answers. “Hayden Marx.”

“Hello, Mr. Marx. This is Ashton Holyfield. I understand you have some questions for me.”

“Mr. Holyfield!” He sounds authentically thrilled by the call. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

“Is now a good time for you?”

“It’s great, hang on.” There’s some rustling around, and he speaks as he shuffles. “I’ve gotta say, I really admire your work. I’ve been reading through disclosure docs for Holyfield Properties. The way you’ve structured your company between for-profit initiatives and charitable endeavors is really something. Speaks volumes about your character.”

“Thank you.” I don’t want to like him, but he sounds quite sincere. “Social causes are important to me. Tending to others who don’t share my good fortune.”

“Well, it shows.” He sounds so cheerful for a guy who’s still working at this hour. “Mad respect, my friend.”

I’d normally bristle at being addressed so informally by someone I don’t even know. But something about Hayden Marx sets me at ease. I won’t say I find myself liking him, but I definitely don’t hate the guy. “What questions can I answer for you, counselor?”

We spend the next thirty minutes going over dry tax details and some of the nuances of our corporate structure. Hayden asks intelligent questions, and the clack of his keyboard suggests he’s taking copious notes.

“This is great,” he says once I’ve provided all the information he needs. “I really appreciate you filling in some blanks. Helps me head into this week’s meeting prepared.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Hayden clears his throat. “I’m assuming Camille gave you my number.”

“She did.” My shoulders tense as I glance out the window. “She tells me you’ve been informed about our…involvement.”

He chuckles and I picture him pushing away from his desk. I can almost see him leaning back in his chair. “I’m glad you had the balls to bring it up. I wasn’t gonna go there. But since you did, let me just say there are no hard feelings. Truly, I’m happy for her.”

His sincerity rings through the line. “Thank you.”

“I mean it. Camille’s an amazing woman, as you’ve no doubt discovered. She deserves an incredible life, and if you’re the man who can give her that, I wish both of you well.”

“I—thanks.” Something rolls over in my gut. “It’s all very new.”

“Yes, but I can tell by her voice she’s nuts about you.” He chuckles again, and I’m right back to hunching my shoulders. “I know that should be a blow to my ego, but you know what? She wasn’t happy with me. Not like she deserves.”

I’m taken aback by his candor. “I’m sure she cared about you a great deal.”

“No doubt, and I’m glad for all the great years we had together. But Camille needs a man who can open up to her. She’s a shrink, so the touchy-feely stuff matters. She deserves a guy who keeps her laughing. Someone who won’t let her down. Someone who makes her the center of his universe. That wasn’t me, you know?”

“I—” My mouth feels dry as I drag my gaze off the moonlit sea. The framed photo catches my eye, and my throat squeezes shut when I try to swallow. “Indeed.”

“Anyway, I wish you the best.”

“Thank you.” My heart’s pounding hard and the lump in my throat makes it impossible to swallow. “I should go.”

“Good luck to you, Holyfield.” He’s back to clacking his keyboard keys again. “Looking forward to our meeting.”

I hang up the phone and stare at the photo of my dead wife and child. Hayden’s words ring in my ears, bouncing with a sharp, hollow echo on the inside of my brain.

Camille needs a man who can open up to her.

She deserves a guy who keeps her laughing.

Someone who won’t let her down.

None of those phrases describe me.

I broke my wife’s heart. I lost my sweet boy. I set in motion a sequence of events that destroyed my whole family.

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