Page 25 of One Little Mistake
“I’m sorry,” he whispers before taking a step back.
“There’s no amount of money, no account that is worth this shit. So you want to win this bid? Fucking take it, asshole. That’s what you’re good at anyway, right? Let me make it easier for you this time by walking away first.”
The smirk that crosses Maxim’s face informs me Easton just showed his hand and had no idea he was even playing the game. I glance around the room as East storms out.Get a read on this, Lex.Pacen appears to be fighting back tears. Dillon has a pained but pissed off expression. Maxim is the only one happy with the outcome we have here.What the hell do I do? Chase after East or sit in on this meeting for him?
“Run along, dear. Daddy Warbucks seems to need a nursemaid.” Maxim’s laugh echoes throughout the small room.
Well, he just made that decision for me, didn’t he?
Pulling out my chair, I sit and stare straight at that asshole. Pacen sniffles, and I open my bag for a packet of tissues.
“Shut the fuck up, you sniveling bitch,” Maxim curses under his breath, but the second I see his meaty palm enclose her upper arm with enough force to cause her to wince, I leap from my chair.
Slamming my fists down on the table, I send water glasses flying. “Get your goddamn hands off of her.”
Maxim throws his glass of wine in my face as he seethes. “Do not speak to me that way, you fucking whore. She’s mine. I will handle her however I please.”
Ugh, I’m going to be sick; she’s actually with this douchebag? There has to be a twenty-year age gap between them.
Taking out my phone, I quickly and obviously snap a picture of his grip that has tightened around her arm.
“He’s obviously a fucking moron, but you? You just let him sit here and treat her this way? What the hell kind of man are you?” I spit at Dillon. Turning back to the disgusting pig sitting in front of me, I steady my voice as I wipe wine from my forehead. “You’re the lowest of the low, you piece of shit. You degrade and bully your way into everything. I know your type. I’ve seen your type, and the thing I’ve learned is the bigger the bully, the harder they fall. You will fall, you fucking dingle dick, and when you do, I’ll be there dancing on your grave. I have proof of abuse right here, and I know people who can make your life a living hell. And you,” I say, turning to Pacen. “You’re worth more than this. Whatever is making you stay, there are other ways. Get the fuck away from him before it’s too late. If you need help, contact Ashton Westbrook. He knows people that can help you.”
Maxim stands abruptly from his chair, and even though I try not to, I flinch, but I refuse to back down.
“Any man who puts his hands on a woman is no man in my book. You’re a worthless piece of shit that karma will have a field day with.”
The sudden sound of clapping causes me to jump. Turning in place, I see an older couple standing in the doorway.
“I see this meeting didn’t go as I’d hoped,” the older man sighs. “How long did Easton stay?”
“Less than five minutes,” Dillon confesses.
“What the hell? Was this some sort of ambush?” Easton may piss me off, but the loyalty I feel toward him just grew exponentially.
“No, Ms. Heart. Not an ambush. We were hoping for a peace treaty, but we got stuck in traffic, and it appears everything went straight to hell. I’m Amy Douglas, and this is my husband, Marvin.” Switching gears, she turns toward Maxim. “You may go and not return. We will not be doing business with McComb Inc. so long as you’re a part of their team. Pacen,” her tone softens, “we will call your father in the morning to explain.”
Maxim huffs and grumbles in a language I don’t recognize as he storms out of the room.
“Thank you, Mrs. Douglas, but that won’t be necessary. It won’t make a difference at this point.” Pacen casts a nervous glance at Dillon, and I have to wonder,What the fuck is going on?
“Thank you for trying,” Dillon says as he shakes hands with Mr. Douglas and kisses Mrs. Douglas on the cheek.
“Someday, Dillon. We’ll make it happen,” Mrs. Douglas promises cryptically.
Standing here, soaked in red wine, I’m more lost than the moment I realized my ex had irrevocably taken everything from me. As Dillon and Pacen say their good-byes, I pack up my small purse and work bag with Easton’s contracts.We won’t be needing those tonight. My gut twists as I realize this mess was probably my fault in some way.
“Ms. Heart?”
I’m so lost in my thoughts that Mr. Douglas’ words catch me off guard, and I almost fall for the second time tonight. I need to stop wearing heels this high.
Turning, I try to regain any amount of dignity I can scrounge up and smile.
“It was a very brave thing you did standing up to that man.”
“Honestly, I’m so confused. I thought we were coming here for a business meeting, and everything went off the rails in the most spectacular fashion. I’ve been in Pacen’s position before. I wasn’t able to stand up for myself then. I saw her tonight, and I just reacted. Do you think she’ll be okay?”
“We’re working on it.” The finality of his tone tells me he’ll be handing out no further details.
