Fox’s gaze dropped.
My heart stuttered in mychest. I’dnever seen him back down before.
“No,” he said. “Nothing toreport at this time.”
“Right. So there’s been aleak, and you don’t know where it’s coming from. So either this isyourfault… or it’s Quinn’s.”
No.
No no no.
It wasn’t Fox’s fault,but I couldn’t afford for it to be mine. I couldn’t…
If it wasmyfault,they’dkick me out on my ass. No more chances. I was in breach of contract, and no onecould argue otherwise.
I glanced at Uncle Vincent,who turned his gaze to me at the same time. Our eyes met, and I was rooted tothe spot, unable to move. Barely able tobreathe.
I’d lose everything. If Ididn’t… if…
The weight of Fox looking atme sat heavy on my shoulders.
“Now, I know you didn’t dothis,” Uncle Vincent said, soft and calm. “I know you didn’t want this tohappen. Remember, you didn’t hire Mr. Faulks. You didn’t even want him here.His…failingsdon’t have toreflect on you.”
My stomach twisted soviolently I was afraid for a moment that I was about to throw up in the middleof this extremely neat office, right in front of everyone here.
I was glad I hadn’t had time forbreakfast this morning.
“He…” I began, strugglingfor something to say.
I couldn’t look at Fox.
Not knowing what I was aboutto do.
Fox could walk away fromthis with minimal consequences. He’d go back home to Sacramento and findanother client and no one would ever evenknowabout this.
But me…
I’d lose my whole career.Everything I’d worked for. All the sacrifices I’d made, all the sacrifices myparentshad made. They’d all be fornothing.
“I…”
Everything I’d been through.All the shit and the heartache. I’d be throwing it away.
“Which is it?” Vincentasked, hurrying me along.
Fox or me.
Me or Fox.
I could keep him,maybe,if I stood up for him. But then where would I be? How long would he want tohang out with a starving artist who only had the life skills to wait tables?
How long would he havewanted me anyway? Fox was an exciting man. He’d been with dozens ofpeople. Ihadn’t.
I didn’t want to losehim, but I also didn’t want to lose myentire life.
“Quinn,” Uncle Vincentprodded.
Panic welled up in mythroat.
