Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Stone came to the middle of the doorway, arms crossing worriedly over his chest, concentrating on Beau. I understood where Beau’s anxiety came from, but as I stared at my guy in his best fishing attire, his smell wafted toward me. It wasn’t great. There was zero chance I was getting into the cab of his truck. I felt sure Stone agreed.
My phone began a rapid-fire succession of texts from my colleagues and friends.
“Game time.”
“Keep your head up.”
“The mudslinging has started. It appears you’re the target.”
“I’ll respond with a public statement. Stay low.” That one came from Lon and was a rare statement of concern, which validated Beau’s unease.
“I forwarded the phones to Lon’s office,” Stone said, his fingers hovering over his nose as if to fend off Beau’s odors. “And told the people in the office to go home.”
“Lon’s handling the communication,” I explained to Beau. “I miscalculated the depth of finger pointing. I didn’t expect what you’re saying to happen so swiftly. They must have hired a marketing firm to bombard social media. Let’s get everyone home and reconvene from there.” Stone didn’t need to be told twice. He was gone, closing down his station. My inner chaos was working overtime which made my outward calm close to comatose. I reached for my suit coat, shrugging it on.
“Babe, I love how you’re here to put yourself between me and harm’s way, but everyone just needs to take a calming breath, which is hard to do with the way you smell,” I explained.
“I’ve been cleanin’ fish. Why’s that even a concern?” Beau asked, aggravated, coming at me as I started out of my office.
“Is Beau taking me home?” Stone asked. “I have Febreze.”
“Of course, he’s not taking you home. I’m paying an exorbitant amount of money for your safety. You’re fine,” I said, locking my office door behind Beau. “Are you following me?”
“Yeah,” Beau said, shaking his head at the obvious absurd question as he started out of the building. Once outside, the sun was shining brightly, the birds chirping. If the chaos was in fact true, it wasn’t reaching us yet, which had to be a good sign.
“I love you,” I added, splitting from him to head to my parking spot.
“What does that matter right now?” he asked, following me. “The kids don’t even know about the security people. That school’s front office can be dense. Have you told them…”
Beau was apparently the other thing I didn’t plan for properly. He loved me by pushing my head down and inside the vehicle as I lifted into the Tahoe.
I locked him out as soon as I could and started the engine.
Hours later, Beau and I sat on the edge of the mattress in our bedroom with the door shut and locked, the television on. The media frenzy outside Richmond Holdings’ Dallas headquarters had reached a fever pitch, blocking traffic for miles. Every local and national media outlet was present, based on the sheer volume of cameras waiting for my father’s arrival. Their calculated response included both old- and new-school tactics, mainstream media, as well as all social sites covering this breaking news story.
My leg bounced, the tension was unbearable.
Beau’s steely palm landed on my thigh. “It doesn’t matter what they say. You’ve proved your case. You’re in the right. We’ll get through it.”
I wished I believed him. If Richmond Holdings effectively turned the court of public opinion into believing this was a personal vendetta, the claimants would be branded liars and receive hell. It was coming for them anyway, but I hoped it would come after a substantial plea offer. They were behaving as if we were headed to court the next day.
“Maybe I should have just handed this off to another firm,” I said, allowing my other leg to bounce since Beau stopped the first.
“Shh, it’s startin’,” Beau said, his focus only on the screen.
I watched the show my father and brothers put on, their wives standing dutifully by their side. They were dressed in their finest. Their council led the charge. I hadn’t seen them this united since maybe when we were here in Sea Springs, opening the resort, when I was sixteen years old. My father had gained weight and appeared older than I remembered him.
He’d also won against this town, burying the livelihood of everyone here without a backward glance. He was ruthless to his core.
My thoughts shifted, realizing how I didn’t fit with them any longer, not in appearance or values. My hair was darker, my frame was taller, leaner, and overall in better shape. I was happy… At least until the last few months. Their stern features were set in place. The combative attitude was natural, not a performance, making it easier to play the lying victims.
“Stupid motherfucker,” Beau growled quietly. “I hate your old man. Try to come for us.”