Page 116 of Addiction

“I’m the lucky one, Nora. Believe me.”

And it’s true. Which is why I need to tell Asher the truth. He will understand what it’s like to hide a secret. He will understand my reasons for doing what I’ve had to do. I just hope he’ll understand that I’m still me, even though I belong to a vile fucking human being.

“Come on,” I say, taking her hand. “Let’s go see what these men of ours are up to.”

“Can’t wait.”

Despite my recent unrest, I try to look at the positives that my conversation with Asher will bring.

No more secrets.

No more lies.

But as we head in through the doors of the bar, my blood runs cold and everything comes crashing down around me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Asher

“You bought your very own yacht by the time you were thirty?” Grayson asks, mesmerized by the flash-suited man in front of him.

“That’s correct.”

“Woah, that’s insane. The life of a CEO, huh?”

“It’s all down to the remarkable career that I’ve had.”

Bravo, Jackass.

“So, what’s your secret?” Grayson asks.

“There’s no secret. You either have the talent to make it to the top or you don’t.”

Dickhead.

It’s no secret who this guy is. I’ve seen him on a few billboards in my time, promoting good health care for America. The pompous ass prick is the CEO of Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic. Ranked one of the top five hospitals for Cancer and Cardiology, and all he’s done since he’s walked through the doors of Hot Tuna is talk about money and status. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s great at his job, but someone needs to shift the stick from up his ass and bring him back down to reality. He’s dressed in a black top-tailored suit, complimented by gold cufflinks and polished shoes in which I can see my reflection. Grayson thinks it’s wonderful that this man has randomly turned up here for whatever reason, but there’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me.

“So, Doc, what brings you to Virginia Beach?” I ask, finishing my lemonade.

“I’m here to see an associate.”

“For business or pleasure?” Grayson asks.

“Well, if it’s pleasure, does your wife know?”

“Asher.” Gray glares.

“What? The man has a wedding band.”

Dr. CEO swirls his whiskey around in his tumbler before looking at me, unimpressed. “It’s neither.”

Grayson leaves us and goes to serve a small group that’s just entered the bar. Meanwhile, the CEO studies me hard as if he’s trying to unnerve me. From the moment he’d walked in here and scanned the place like an officer searching for drugs, I’d taken an instant dislike to him.

“So you are a SEAL,” he says, glancing at my skeleton frog tattoo.

“Correct.”

“But you no longer serve.”