Page 40 of Broken Daddy

He scoffs and half turns, as if to look for my assistant, but in two strides, I’m right in front of him.

Towering over him.

Nash is tall and lean, but I’m taller. Broader.

And I know the effect I can have on people when I want to.

“What did you expect? You’d have a potential employer call Ironside and wewouldn’ttell them what you’ve been up to?”

The growl is back, I can’t help it crawling up my throat as Nash bends under my will, his hands sweating.

“I suggest you walk out of the building and never come back. Andmylawyer will be in touch.”

Whatever Nash came in here to say has left him; he’s deflated like a balloon. Taking an unsteady step back, then another, he turns and hurries from my office. On the way, he bares his teeth at Trudy, who puffs her chest out. All five foot two of her bristling.

I go to the open door and nod to two security officers, who Trudy must’ve called. They go after Nash quickly to escort him from the building. He was officially let go last week. I can’t believe he had the balls to try and get a recommendation from us.

“That rat.” Trudy is absolutely seething, and I fight the urge to herd her into my office. Right now, I need to be a boss, not just a protector. But if I have to, I’ll take Nash down—and not just legally.

“Once things calm down, why don’t you take off early?” I make the suggestion calmly, smiling at Trudy’s incredulous look.

“Mr. Sharpe—it’s only three o’clock!”

The smile remains as she describes the rest of her tasks for the day—typing up the monthly minutes from our meeting with a city representative, sorting through contract applications to make sure they’re properly filled out, placing a supply order, and finding a caterer for the company luncheon at the end of the month.

My mind flits to Genevieve.

Goes blank.

The image of her face, her wide smile and laugh, takes over. Blots out the headache that was slowly forming into a raging migraine.

Wednesdays are always the peak of my frustration.

I can’t help it; I’ve been in the office half the week, wanting to be home instead. The barn is full of half-finished projects I’d rather be spending my time on, instead of approving building plans for high-end apartment-slash-retail buildings hours outside of the city.

The problem is, my company is built on construction. Not the carpentry I’ve loved for most of my life.

“Go home, Trudy. Take an early day. You deserve it after—” I chuck my chin toward the elevator bay “—that conflict.”

Rolling my shoulders, I peel off the suit jacket once she’s left. It’s pointless, as we’re now at the height of summer and the city is sweltering. Inside Ironside’s two-story office building, it’s nice and air-conditioned. Unfortunately, that doesn’t cut down on my annoyance.

As the owner of the company, I can leave whenever I want. But I still feel an obligation to stay for the duration of a “normal” workday.

A few more hours and I’m out of here.

The thought of coming home to Eva running down the hallway and the scent of whatever Gen has cooked up calms me momentarily. Settling behind my desk again, my brow creases when there’s an urgent knock on the door.

Trudy pops her head in.

Ijusttold her to go home. The last thing I need is for her to get overwhelmed and stressed-out.

“Nathan, there’s someone here for you.”

Her expression is a mixture of curious and worried, which has me equally curious and worried. I rise as someone steps into my office.

And then I realize what caused Trudy’s curiosity.

The man looks strikingly like…me.

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