Page 112 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
“Your relationship with Todd aside, you did fine considering the environment you and Eli ended up in.”
“But you can’t set my relationship with Todd aside.”
Sam tented his hands like he did when he was in professional mode, but his features were soft. “I can’t chide you for that. You know I can’t.”
Too much of Sam’s own history at play. The photograph of Michael next to Sam’s monitor was a reminder of that. Still. “You should. It was the wrong thing to do.”
“Was it?” There was sadness in his smile. “You did have some encouragement, too.” He nodded at the wall in the direction of Eli’s office.
Was it wrong? He still didn’t know the answer to that. All of the moments he’d spent with Todd had been heaven, even the hellish ones. The world had vanished and he’d found peace. “I don’t...” He ran both of his hands through his hair. “It got so fucked up.”
“From what you said, that had little to do with you or Todd.”
Maybe. “So, now what?”
“Well, you get back on the horse that threw you, and we finish this job so we never have to work with these fucking assholes again.” Vehemence in his voice. “I don’t take kindly to my people being abused.”
Abused. Hope stirred in Fazil and he met Sam’s gaze. “You’re not mad at me.”
All professionalism fell away and Sam rolled his eyes. “For God’s sake, Fazil, no. Worried sick, yes. Angry? Yes—but not atyou.”
Muscles unknotted in his shoulders and he picked up his coffee and his laptop. “I guess I should head to my desk, then.”
“Stop in and let Eli see you first. He’s been worse than you at the self-blame game.”
Breath caught. “What? Why?”
“He thinks he should have pulled you out with him. Had an inkling something might happen.”
But he hadn’t because of Todd. “I’ll talk to him. Not his fault, either.”
“Oh, good luck withthat.” Sam picked up a pen and clicked the end.
Great.He rose and headed out, leaving Sam’s door open.
“Ping-Pong later?” Justin asked.
“Yeah. But you’ll wipe the floor with me.”
That got him a big grin. Anormalgrin. Good. He walked across the hall and rapped on Eli’s doorframe.
Eli swiveled around and his shoulders dropped. “Fazil. I’m—”
“It’s fine.”
Eli did that thing with his eyebrow and his foot tapped out a staccato rhythm.
The tapping foot was over-the-top, but it made Fazil cringe anyway. “All right, I’m not exactly fine, but it’s not your fault I stayed.”
“So Sam keeps saying.” He leaned back in his chair. “I’m not convinced.”
“If the blame lies with anyone—it’s me.”
Eli sat forward, but before he could speak, Fazil held up his hand. “See? We’re both tall, dark, and cranky.”
That stopped Eli, and he chuckled but quickly sobered. “How’s Todd?”
“I don’t know.” He needed to text him. “I’m still waking up.”
