I removed the phone from my ear and held it in front of me. The human who’d gifted my mother with his sperm was on the line, adding more wood to the fire I was struggling to tame.
My limbs stiffened. I ground my teeth together, inhaling. I pushed out the oxygen I’d pulled in with hopes of releasing the tension in my body. I failed miserably.
“What the fuck do you want?”
“I–” he coughed out, “I was calling to apologize about the other night, Son. I took a tumbling down the steps at my apartments. I was headed to you. My neighbors found me on the ground the next morning. I can’t remember a thing. I’m still in this here hospital.
“I’m sorry, Son. I was looking forward to seeing you. You know– catching up. I was thinking we could reschedule when I don’t look like the stairs used me as their punching bag and my ribs have healed up a bit.”
“Fuck you, your ribs, and your schedule.”
I pressed the red button, still fuming. His absence was the reason I was in the predicament I was in. I didn’t care to hear his apologies about continuing his tradition and possibly causing me the election.
My fingers massaged my temple. I closed my eyes, desperately needing to catch my breath. Settling felt impossible. My chest rose and fell as I took in and released deep, steady breaths.
Fuck.
I snatched the jacket of my suit from the back of my chair and headed for my office door. Without a word, I ambled through the suite.
“Mr. Grayson,” Matte called out. “Mr. Grayson.”
The sound of her footsteps grew closer.
“I’m taking the rest of the day,” I tossed over my shoulder, never slowing my stride.
“I– I was wondering if I could get your approval for the donors f–”
“Tomorrow, Matte.”
“Okay, but what about th–”
Halting completely, I turned, finding Matte behind me.
“Tomorrow.”
I fought to keep the darkness inside, but this situation made it extremely arduous. Matte’s quivering frame made it evident I wasn’t victorious. I was falling deeper into the abyss.
I continued down the hallway. The elevator’s doors parted almost instantly. I stepped inside, grateful for the solitude. My spine flexed as my head rested against the steel.
A chime from my cell reclaimed my thoughts. I dug into my pocket to retrieve the chunk of titanium I was beginning to despise. The number in the notification bar forced me to straighten my posture. I tapped the screen to find the words I’d searched for just minutes prior.
There’s no one more suitable for the seat than you, Mr. Grayson. It’s yours.
I peered at the message as Royce’s voice rolled around in my head. All that had gone up in flames quietly settled and became nothing more than a smoldering pit of desire.
So are you, Ms. Childers.
It became apparent that there was a job I wanted a bit more than the mayoral position. I wanted to be things to Royce that no man had been before. When my plate was clear and my attention was undivided, I would seek the opportunity to do so. For now, I had an election to win.
“Front door open.”
I entered my condo to the sound of my alarm system. Six numbers silenced it, keeping it from alerting the localauthorities of my presence. I slipped out of my loafers as I pulled my tie from around my neck.
One button at a time, I loosened my shirt. One stair at a time, I got closer to my destination. The secondary kitchen was my first stop. I removed a bottle of water from the fridge. My fingers wrapped around the top of the only glass in the cupboard. I emptied the bottled water into it after a swift rinse.
Back against the counter, I chugged the cold liquid. The glass collided with the marble as I exited the kitchen. I removed my shirt, lessening the distance between me and the lovely bar that had sold the condo itself.
Though it was small in size, its beauty was something to behold. Olive green tile lined the wall, forming a distinct separation between the bar and the rest of the second floor. A marbled top and small gold black sink paired perfectly, beginning where the tile ended.
