Page 184 of One Bossy Disaster

Something about the meeting has clearly shaken her to the core, and no matter how close she is, her mind feels like it’s a universe away.

I can’t reach her now.

I shouldn’t want to, but I do.

“You can talk to me,” I tell her. “We’re going to power through this. I don’t give a fuck what lawyers that liar has—mine are better, I assure you.”

After everything that happened with my uncle, witness protection, and Serena, I know the value of a solid legal team.

“I don’t doubt it,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder. “I just wonder if it’s the only way to set things right...”

I already know it’s not simply because it’s too fucking slow.

But what else is there?

Closing my eyes, we breathe together, until the silence feels more natural.

Still, that doesn’t mean it’s right.

There’s just nothing else left for us here right now.

I give the driver directions to Destiny’s apartment, and after dropping her off, head back to the office to think.

It’s late enough in the day, there’s no one else working except Hannah.

“Trying hard for that pay raise, I see. Go home,” I tell her later as I walk past her into my office.

“Soon, Mr. Foster.”

I grunt and shut the door behind me, walking behind my desk and dropping down in my leather power chair.

This thing between Destiny and me, whatever it is, has to end.

This time for real.

We agreed it would after the weekend, and yes, I’m well aware I’m the asshole who can’t stay away.

Dark thoughts swirl around me like a cloud of flies.

I should just release Dess from her obligations at Home Shepherd. Hell, I should scrap the entire program, double the money she gets, and help her set up her nonprofit.

No one else can screw her over based on rumors if she’s the chief.

Mostly, I need her away from me.

Before I can taint her more than I already have.

Snarling, I open the bottom drawer I normally keep locked and pull out a bottle of bourbon and a glass I only keep around for emergencies.

Tonight is a goddamned crisis.

One shot rolls down my stomach and explodes, fanning fire into my blood.

There’s no turning back.

After I’ve unleashed the legal hounds on Adriana, I’ll let her go.

I’ll do whatever I can to send her off to a better life than the one she has if she keeps working under me, a walking target for more punishment.

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