Page 83 of Lead Me Knot

“No, you weren’t. Fuck you. You’re just an asshole who hit on my wife, and when she turned you down, you tried to save your ass.”

I turn and take hold of my wife’s hand.

He shouts, “You’re done, Greene.”

“You’re right. I’m so fucking done.” I walk away, not regretting a damn thing. I feel the opposite of how I expected. I feel free for the first time in years. It’s not only because I’m free from a company I’ve come to despise but also because ofthe woman at my side. My partner in crime. My wife. I glance down at Lauralee and smile. “Ready to head back to the city?”

“So ready.” We don’t make it two minutes from the house before she says, “I’m so proud of you. Do you know how sexy that was to watch you take control of the situation?”

“I’m going to need you to tell me.”

“I’ll do you one better.” She raises her brow. “How about I show you?”

She showed me alright. We’re lucky I didn’t wreck on the way back. And when we get back to the apartment at one in the morning, I show her just how lucky I am to have her in my life.Twice.

CHAPTER 29

Baylor

I’msurprised Mr. Goodman didn’t demand rain since he banned me from the building. He’d love to know I was stuck out here drenched and probably begging for cover. Though he should know me better than that.

It’s sunny despite him because I’m fucking winning.

Approaching the doors to Taylor and Goodman, I stop myself from going in and wait farther away. Since I’m not allowed in the office, it’s good to have friends on the inside. This side of the street is doused in sunlight, like a spotlight showcasing me. I doubt Goodman could miss it even if he tried. Good. Fuck him.

I put on my sunglasses and text:I’m here.

Since last week and over the weekend, my checklist got longer. I experienced the best high of my life, and then some lows that I’ll get over in time. I’ve fallen behind in getting messages sent. Prioritizing my list, I send an email to my attorney, Mark, to get the paperwork ready by the time I land in Austin on Thursday. I’m not showing up empty-handed. Especially after how the bet was received. Not well.

Honesty.That’s her only request of me.

That’s what I’ll give her. I’ll face any consequences and fight for our relationship.

Then there’s the matter of this Josten guy at the property management company. He still hasn’t replied to my email asking why he went rogue and jacked up the prices on the strip of shops I purchased. Going rogue for your own kicks, then hoping to get praise is not how things are done.

Mickey backs through the door and looks both ways before seeing me. “I tried to get all of your personal belongings. I’m going to do another sweep when I go back up, though, just in case I missed anything.”

“I appreciate that.”

He laughs. “Your name plaque has already been removed. If it’s any consolation, it ripped off the plaster.”

“I appreciate that level of pettiness.” He hands me the box. “This is it, huh? My career didn’t amount to much.”

“Your career is sitting in bank accounts. This is just a box of knickknacks that didn’t make the mantel at home.”

It’s a good perspective. With more money than I thought possible for one person to have, I never need to work another day in my life. That’s not the path I’m interested in taking, but I’m financially comfortable to do what I want.

Which is?I have no fucking clue.

I’m not even in my mid-thirties. That’s too young not to be productive, not to transition my career to a new company, work toward a new dream, or figure something else out. But what?

Looking up at the skyscraper, most of my career has been spent here. I had stability and growth in this building. It’s incredible that one event changed everything.

Do I have regrets in the aftermath?One. I didn’t hit him. That would have felt good. Though my rewardon the car ride home felt better. Guess it’s good I controlled my urges.

Shifting the box under my arm to shake his hand, I say, “I won’t keep you.”

“You’re not. I started putting out my résumé last night. I don’t think this is the company for me either.”

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