After the last security briefing, Derrick and Logan gave me the green light to officially return to New York, on the condition that protection would be doubled.
Carter was way too relaxed about it, and Logan wouldn’t let anything slip when I pushed for details. I don’t know what they’re hiding, and I’ll deal with it after tonight. But when the offer came, I grabbed it with both hands.
I knew the second I peeled off the yellow police tape from the hallway that I couldn’t spend another night in my old home.
This house doesn’t feel like mine yet, but at least here I can unravel in peace, without having to pretend I don’t notice Carter and Eliza’s worried glances. I love them, but I’d rather have a hundred guards pacing my floor than stay with them much longer.
Patrick adjusts his earpiece. “If you’re ready, I’ll tell the driver to pull around.”
“I’ll be right out.” I give him a small smile, thumb hovering over my phone screen, before thinking better of it and shoving it into my clutch.
I almost called Adam to let him know I’d moved in. But something stopped me.
Yes, we had sex.
Amazing sex. Again.
But afterward, he seemed…distant. Off.
I’m still hanging on to the way he said, “We should talk”. Maybe this time we actually will, instead of ripping our clothes off.
I came clean. The ball’s in his court now. I don’t feel I have the right to demand more. And maybe, deep down, I’m also afraid of what he’ll decide.
“Let’s stop at the office first,” I tell the driver as I slide into the backseat. I have to sign off on some last-minute security additions to our labs. The final box to check before we can resume work at full capacity.
Mom picks up after the second ring. I haven’t forgotten the brunch fiasco, and I’d put off talking to her again until I took some time to calm down.
“All set for the bachelorette party?” she asks brightly.
“Yep, I’m meeting the girls there.”
The private club has been vetted harder than a presidential inauguration.
“That’s lovely, dear. Did you settle in to your new place?”
I hesitate. “Yeah, it’s…nice. You should come by.”
Maybe this time she’ll keep her opinions regarding my decoration choices to herself. I hate when I’m excited about something and she manages to nitpick at it until it loses all its flavor.
“Actually, that’s good timing,” she says brightly. “We need to talk about Blanca’s winter gala.”
Of course. The time off was useless. “Are you kidding me?”
“What? We can’t miss it.”
“I don’t want anything to do with that woman anymore.”
“But you need to make an appearance.” Mom pushes the subject, and I snap.
“Damn it, Mom. I’m the fucking CEO of the biggest tech company in the country. I don’t need to play nice with thosewomen. I don’t need to audition for a husband at their freaking balls.”
Silence crackles down the line.
“You’re…right,” she finally says, her voice thin. “We’ve been doing this because I thought it was what wehadto do…to fit in. But you don’t have to, do you?”
She chuckles softly. “I raised a fearless daughter, then expected her to live like I did. A scared newcomer, desperate not to embarrass your father.”
“You did what you needed to find your place, Mom.”
