Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Silas set two mugs in front of Way, leaned over to kiss his husband’s head, and looked at the screen. “What’s going on? And how are you video calling us mid-flight?”
Ryan cuddled a sleepy Zane on his lap. “Upgraded Wi-Fi on the plane. Remember Landry throwing a shit-fit after San Cordova?”
Everyone nodded and took sips of coffee. Tully walked in and handed a cup of milk to Lellie before taking the seat next to Dev.
“Is Foster coming?” I asked.
Way nodded. “He said the favor he owes you isn’t a ‘six-in-the-morning’ level favor. I said if he needed extra favor credit, he could dip into all the shit he owes me after I had to listen to him cry over a straight boy last week.”
Foster Blake was a good man. He might grumble and give his cousin a hard time about getting up early, but the truth was the sheriff had probably already been at work for hours.
“We have a problem, guys. Landry needs his brothers, and I…” I swallowed and took a chance. “I need my friends.”
Slow grins spread around the table, but it was Dev who spoke first. “Took you long enough to call us that, fucker.”
Zane nodded emphatically. “No kidding. All this ‘I’m just an employee’ stuff was getting old.”
Silas sat forward. “We’re here for you both, you know that. So… what’s the plan, boss?”
My laugh came out shaky with nerves and relief. “Well…” I began. Then, I laid it out for them.
When I was done, Bash fixed me with an uncompromising stare. “This plan is absolutely insane, and I’m here for it.” He grinned. “We’ll make it happen, Kenji.”
I really hoped he was right.
As executive assistant to five billionaires, I’d orchestrated countless impossible fixes.
But making this right for the man I loved… might be the biggest one yet.
TWENTY-TWO
LANDRY
When I walked out the door of Teddy’s office, I felt utterly at peace. For the first time, I knew what I wanted. More importantly, I knew who I wanted.
And miracle of miracles, he wanted me back.
A Chaska Inira quote echoed in my mind: “A heart at peace is the truest sign you have chosen well. Trust in your path, walk it with confidence, and let the universe meet you with open arms.”
I grinned as I reached the wide entryway leading to the street, wondering what Kenji would say if I told him I’d been thinking of Chaska unironically… and giddy to get back to Hawling House to find out. With any luck, he’d still be in bed.
“Lord Hawling?” A uniformed attendant hurried after me. “The prime minister had a message for you—”
I held up a hand, not slowing down. “I just finished speaking with him. Any convincing arguments he forgot to make can wait until I see him at the museum benefit in a few weeks.”
I nodded at the security agent by the door, and he pulled it open, letting in a shaft of unexpectedly bright London winter sunshine. I smiled at him and stepped through—
And the world erupted.
A wall of camera flashes and shouted questions hit me before my foot touched the pavement outside the gate.
“Lord Hawling! Is the speculation about your marriage true?”
“Care to comment on the rumors?”
Reporters pressed around me, microphones outstretched. Tourists stopped mid-step, pulling out their phones in the hopes of capturing something newsworthy.
I had no idea what they were talking about. Had someone caught Kenji and Jamie smiling at each other the night before? The idea would have sent me into a green rage yesterday but almost made me laugh now.
“No comment,” I said, scanning the street for Simon with the car.
“Do you have proof of your marriage?”
“Where exactly were you married, and on what day?”
“Does your husband know Lindsey Graves? Is her accusation true?”
I hesitated. Lindsey Graves. That name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
Then, a reporter shoved a phone in my face… and everything clicked.
“He specifically told me he and Landry weren’t romantically involved at all,” the woman on the screen insisted. “That he was just a personal assistant who helps with Landry’s public relations. In fact, he said he’d do anything for his employer, including crisis management! I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole marriage thing was a stunt to distract from the fact that Landry rescued his freaking PA while the rest of us suffered!”
Fuck.
I remembered Kenji’s concern about leaving people behind in San Cordova, and Lindsey Graves, the influencer we’d uncovered when we were trying to find him, had been one of the names on the list.
Had Kenji seen this video? Was he freaking out?
I realized I hadn’t turned my phone back on after leaving Teddy’s office, and as soon as I did, dozens of missed texts flooded in from Nan, Cora, and even Lydia.
The one from Kenji answered my earlier question.
Kenji
I’m so sorry. I’ll fix this. Come home as soon as you can.