Page 44 of The Heart You Kept

Bang.

He hits another player off their horse and they go flying to the ground with a hard thump.

“Argh,” the player cries.

Prescott laughs as he looks down at him, mallet over his shoulder. “Learn how to ride a horse, you fucking gimp.”

“I think my arm is broken.” The man groans.

Prescott canters off without a care and we all chuckle from the sidelines.

This motherfucker has a death wish.

The elevator rises and we all stand facing the doors. Edward has a business meeting at the Monaco Council, his lawyer is with us, which can only mean one thing.

This isn’t going to end well.

“Remember to let me do the talking,” Louis says.

Edward clenches his jaw as he adjusts his cufflinks. “Remember who you fucking work for.”

Merrick and I make eye contact. Here we go.

“I just know that you….” Louis cuts his sentence short.

“You know what?” Edward snaps.

“You have a way of infuriating people.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “There’s no denying that you do.” He widens his eyes. “I’m just saying that this is….”

“Stop fucking stopping mid-sentence,” Edward barks. “Do you know how annoying it is?”

“This is an important meeting and I need you not to piss anyone off today,” he blurts out in a rush.

Edward rolls his eyes. “Just you concentrate on your job and let me handle mine.”

“I am.”

“Then secure the extra hours for the casino,” he barks. “Why else would I be here with you wasting my fucking time?”

“I need to remind you that your only job here today is to mend fences, put the past in the past. Be charming and friendly,” he continues.

Edward gives him the side eye. “Do you know how fucking annoying you are?”

“At times, but….” He exhales. “Just try it for once.”

Edward straightens his tie and cracks his neck. “Just going to this imbecile’s office winds me up.”

“We can’t get this deal through without him.” He plasters a big fake smile on his face. “Like this.”

Edward looks over at him deadpan.

“Try it.”

“Fuck. Off.”

I drop my head to hide my smile. I’m with Edward on this one, his lawyer really is very annoying.

The elevator doors open and Edward strides out as Louis scurries to walk beside him.