Page 164 of The Anti-Heroes Collection

Payton: Don’t worry. It was just a kiss. I haven’t thought about it since.

Her response is not what I expect, but rather than give a witty retort, I shrug it off.

That’s my MO.

Get insulted. Fire back.

This time, I’m going to shut up and not say anything

Me: Just meet me, please. I’m serious. Please.

I stare at my phone for a second and wait for her to respond, but after a few more, I realize she won’t.

Walking back toward my desk, I pull out my chair and take a seat.

My emotions are still conflicted.

I know I have to let this whole thing go, but at the same time, I don’t want to.

My phone chimes as I’m about to tip the glass back into my mouth.

Payton: Fine. But you get five minutes.

Me: Deal.

Payton: Where?

Me: Meet me by the library. The parking lot?

Payton: Fine. What time?

I put the glass down. Can’t be drinking right now.

I shoot back a time, then go back to work for a few hours, distracted by the upcoming meeting with Payton.

My phone rings again, and this time, it’s Tobias. I send him to voicemail. Not a smart idea, but I still haven’t figured out what to tell him. Once I have an answer, I’ll call him back.

Tobias has made it clear he wants out. He’s in the process, with the help of Cyrus, of brokering a deal to sell his business.

That means an influx of money I need to invest. That also means I have all my feelers out for any tips of something that’s going to be hot.

Or something that’s going to fail miserably.

After the last scheme, I have to be careful. Although every relevant politician is in my pocket in one way or another, I can’t make it so blatantly obvious. This time, I’m going to have to rely on insider info.

I’m going to be active about it, placing a few phone calls and seeing if anybody knows anything that would be worth investing in rather than waiting for my people to bring the info to me.

I spend the next hour speaking to a handful of people.

One of Lorenzo’s men has the most information that will be useful. He owns a garbage and sanitation company, and after hours, they sift through and send me anything I need.

That will work for now.

But I’ll need something bigger for Tobias soon.

Standing from my chair, I walk toward the door.

It’s time to bury this hatchet I have with Payton once and for all.

---