Page 30 of Great Pretender
“Okay, back to the drawing board? I have a friend who runs a matchmaking agency. She’s pretty good. It’s a plan B. But not as good as plan A since you didn’t plan on staying married and needed someone with the same vision.”
This is a mess.
A knock sounds at my door, and I pray it’s not Dad. I don’t think I could deal with him so early in the morning or at any point today. I’d rather not see him until I have to.
“Come in,” I say, and who walks in is so much worse than Dad.
It’s Georgiou, and the smug expression on his face is enough to make my blood boil.
“Morning, I just came to check in,” he says with a toothy grin, reminding me of a well-dressed shark.
There aren’t that many differences between us. We have the same height, build, eyes, and hair color. People who don’t know we’re cousins often mistake us for brothers.
He’s two years older than me, though, and an actual asshole who would sell his own mother to get ahead in life.
“What for?” I reply with an edge.
“Well, you weren’t around much yesterday, and as you know by now, I’m taking on the bulk of your duties.”
Dad basically gave this prick everything. The only consolation I have is that we’ve just come out of draft season, and things are quiet. I’d be pissed as fuck if Dad uprooted all my duties during a time like that and left me with nothing to do but scratch my ass all day. When the training season starts again in the next few months, things will pick up again, though.
“I’m aware,” I manage, keeping my tone even.
“Good, well, I need all the paperwork transferred to me by lunchtime.”
“It will be done. I’m just finishing up my outstanding tasks.”
“Well, you do that, cousin.” He laughs. “This feels like an omen for things to come when I take over.”
“When?” I raise my brows.
“It’s very obvious I’m taking your job. Are you that stupid that you can’t see that?”
I want to knock his teeth down his throat, but that wouldn’t bode well for me. I’d say I’d piss Dad off even more than I already have if I did that, and Georgiou wouldn’t hesitate to overexaggerate.
“Georgiou, get out of my office. I’ll email you when the work is ready.”
“Or better yet, why don’t you send Murray over with it.” He snaps his fingers at Murray like he’s a servant.
Murray cuts him a sharp stare but doesn’t retaliate. Neither of us does as Georgiou chuckles and walks out.
I can’t say shit because this is beginning to look like one situation I won’t be able to talk myself out of.
11
Piper
It’s nearly midday, and I keep messing everything up.
I’ve just walked into the break room to cool off and take a moment.
An actual break.
There are two doctors getting coffee at the machines. Thankfully, they get
what they need and leave. I’m not in the mood for pleasantries. I think it’s safe to say that this morning not only covered my cake with icing but lathered it with cherries too.
Damn Chad, and damn me too.
