Page 133 of For Wrath and Redemption
“Watch it.” Jonah takes a step toward his father, but I place my hand on his bicep, stopping him.
“What do you need, Conrad?” I repeat, and I watch as his expression changes.
His face softens. His eyes, eyes so similar yet so different from the ones I’ve come to love, grow sad. He looks lost, and for a moment, I almost feel for him.
“Tell the muscle to step outside, please. This is a private matter.”
I know I’ll regret this. I know I will. But I just want to get this over with.
I glance at José. “Can you please wait in the hallway? This won’t take long.”
José looks between me and Conrad. “Are you sure, Ms. Davis? I think I should stay.”
“It’s fine.” I give him a tight smile. “I’ll call for you if you’re needed.”
José looks at Conrad once more, then nods. “Okay. I’ll be right outside.”
He walks past Jonah and I slowly but stops briefly in front of Conrad. He doesn’t say anything, but from the slight flare in Conrad’s eyes, I’m guessing José’s expression is less than friendly.
The moment José is out of the room, Conrad smiles at me. It’s a playful smile, almost suggestive, and it makes my skin crawl.
“You have quite the command over these men, don’t you?”
I ignore his comment and cut to the chase. “What do you need, Conrad?”
“I need you to come back to Innovation.”
“No.”
“Claire, please.”
Conrad takes a step toward me, but Jonah inches his shoulder in front of mine. Not blocking me from his father completely but drawing a very obvious line.
Conrad doesn’t even acknowledge him.
“Come back with me, Claire. The department needs you. The campaign needs you.” He reaches past Jonah and takes my hand. It’s cold and rough. I hate it. “Ineed you.”
I pull my hand out of his father’s grip, but Jonah still stiffens beside me. I shake my head.
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Conrad. My resignation is final. I’m done with Innovation, and I’m done with you.” I glance up at Jonah. He’s still staring holes into his father, his jaw tense and hard. “Come on. We have a lot planned today.”
I turn to leave, hoping like hell Jonah will follow me, but then Conrad opens his big, stupid, conceited mouth.
“If you’re done with me, then you’re done in this industry.”
I stop in my tracks. That’s my first mistake.
“You won’t work with a competitor, Claire. I’ll make sure of it.”
My stomach sinks. This isn’t news to me. He’s said it before. But hearing it again just serves as a reminder of how much I dread it becoming a reality. I love my job. I love New York. The idea of finding a new career...of starting over...
Every plan and dream I had for my future, everything I’d worked for, would be gone. It would all be for nothing.
“You’ll be signing your own name on the industry blacklist.”
I turn back around. That’s my second mistake.
“You already told me this,” I say, my false calm wavering with every word. I can tell by the twinkle in his eye that he knows how affected I am by his threat. “I’ve made my decision. You can leave now.”
