“Stop being an ass, Dec,” I hiss.
Declan laughs. “I’d like to offer you a job before I resign.”
Eagan visibly sighs, and Ella beams at him, patting his knee in moral support.
“I’ll be there, sir,” Eagan says.
Declan huffs. “Please don’t call me sir.”
“It makes him feel old,” I say sarcastically in Eagan’s direction.
Declan snorts, then clears his throat. “Get the evidence, and then we’ll take him out. We’ll take them all out.”
“Thank you, Dec,” I say, though it’s not enough. It willneverbe enough after all he’s done for me.
“You never have to thank me, Nova. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to help you. You are the sister I never had.”
There are nods of confirmation all across the room, their faces bright as if they share similar feelings toward me, especially Jax.
“Shut up before you make me cry again,” I snap at the phone.
I hear his laugh, and I wish I could reach through the phone and throw my arms around him.
“Let’s go take down those motherfuckers,” he says, and I smile at everyone surrounding me. At the family I never knew I’d have.
I find myself staring at the one man I had hoped to never see again. His snakelike smirk is plastered on his face, as if he already knows what I’m going to ask him.
“We all know you’re a smug bastard, Peyton, and that you’re really only here to gloat, but for once, could you please not give me hell for it? I’ve had a rough couple of days,” I seethe.
Peyton laughs, looking around at my entourage who insisted they be here for this. Noah is definitely here to watch me punch Peyton. Parker wants to help convince him to testify for his brother, and Noell is here because—I’m now almost positive—there’s something going on between her and Parker, though she’d never admit it.
Eagan is ready to record everything being said for evidence purposes. Ella is here for me and Eagan, and Jax and Evan are excited to witness what I’ve really been doing in my career.
Though when my gaze finds Jax, who smirks back at Noah, I change my mind—he’s here to watch me punch Peyton, too.
Who am I to deny them?
I play the part, though, biding my time.
“Proceed, Miss Riley,” Peyton drawls, crossing his arms over his chest and resting his dirty shoes on Owen’s desk again like he owns the place.
I try not to throw his damn feet off the desk. Not yet, at least. I need to get verbal confirmation that he’ll testify.
“I need you to testify for Mr. Mills.”
Peyton laughs. “Not a chance.”
I stand leaning across the desk. “I think what I have to offer in return might be something you’re interested in.”
His lips curl into a sneer. “I’m listening.”
Stepping out from behind the desk, I plop on the edge of it, close to Peyton. “You have ten warrants for your arrest. Did you know that? Turns out, it’s hard for this company to hire you with all of those warrants. Impossible, even.”
Peyton’s sneer turns to a frown as he sits up, planting his feet back on the floor. I track the movement.
“I’m listening,” he repeats.
“It’s simple. You testify for Mr. Mills—and yes, you will legally sign that you intend to do so, as well as provide verbal confirmation, which is being recorded as we speak—and the CIA will drop every warrant. You will be free to work here.”
