Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Good, that’s good. I hope we’re paying you enough.” He doesn’t laugh. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t a joke.
“I want to talk about Kieren.”
I squirm in my seat. He pins me with that look of his, both questioning and probing and deeply unhappy. Most people might think a man would be glad his daughter dropped in to see him, but not Martin Corrigan. At best I’ve been a nuisance, and at worst—
I don’t think about the worst.
“He doesn’t work here anymore.”
I dip my chin. “I know that. I mean, I figured.”
“And I know you two broke up.” He says this firmly, like it’s somehow my fault. I bet he does blame me, actually. Like if I had been a better partner, somehow Kieren wouldn’t have fucked Vera in our bed. Like I’m to blame, and I hate that there’s a worm with that idea wriggling through my grey matter, eating my brain to mush.
“What happened with him?” I say, struggling not to sound too weak. “He quit so suddenly.”
Dad checks the computer again. “Not something you need to worry about.”
“Right, but I know something happened—“
His gaze tightens. “And how would you know that, Regan?”
I look down at my lap. I know because I caught Liam searching through Kieren’s car, and that means Kieren did something very wrong.
But this isn’t my place.
I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut. Maybe I see some things, some numbers that look odd, for example, or overhear a conversation back at home that doesn’t sound right. But no matter what, I let it slide past like a cool breeze, there and gone again, out of my head. I never mention it. I don’t talk about it, not to anyone, not to my father, not to Kelly, not ever.
My place is to do what I’m told and to shut up about it.
I’m good at that. I’ve had a lifetime of practice. All my instincts scream for me to apologize and get out of his office before I take up more of his precious, valuable time. My father’s an important man, right? And I’m nothing.
Maybe something of the night before still lingers in my spine, because I meet his eyes again, jaw set.
“Kieren left for a reason, didn’t he?”
“We’re done with this conversation. Kieren’s gone, both from the company, and from your life. Move on, Regan. Breakups are hard, but you’ll survive.”
“I want to know what he did, Dad.”
“That isn’t your place.” His tone is edged now. A quiet but real threat. “You know how this works.”
Keep quiet. Do what you’re told.
I hold his gaze. “He’s in trouble, isn’t he? Worse than just cheating on me with Vera Baranov?”
Dad flinches. He seems surprised that I said it out loud, like admitting to what really happened is somehow shocking. He considers me for a long moment, some of his frustration ebbing away, maybe helped on by that stomach full of alcohol.
“Alright, you want to know? Yes, Kieren did something he shouldn’t have. He took some important information before he left. There’s a concern that he might… release it.”
I let that sink in. Dad keeps watching me, and he knows what I know. I work the books, more closely than almost any other CPA at the company. I’ve got more access and trust than other employees at my level, thanks to my name, and my ability to keep my mouth shut.
“What… what did he take?”
Dad swivels to his computer and turns on the monitor. “Frankly, we aren’t sure yet, but it’s being handled. That’s all you need to know, Regan. Please go back to your desk.”
“But wait—“
“I said, this conversation is over. I told you more than I should have, but maybe it will help, knowing Kieren was always an untrustworthy man.”
Another flick of his eyes. Like I should have known from the start.
“Alright, Dad. Thanks for telling me.” I wilt under the stress and slip out of the chair. My head’s pulsing, half from hangover, and half from confusion. Kieren stole from the firm? He took something important… and cheated on me with Vera Baranov?
As I head back to my desk, I feel a sense of vertigo wash over me.
Something big is happening here. Liam in the parking garage… Kieren cheating, Kieren stealing… and the way Dad said it’s being handled.
Oh, shit, what did you do, you stupid asshole?
I shouldn’t be worried about my ex. Whatever happens to him, he deserves it.
But we were together for years. I thought I loved him. No, I definitely did, at least for a while. My life was planned around him, and even though he broke my heart and betrayed me in the worst way possible, I still feel a strange protectiveness toward him.
Because if it’s as bad as I think…
He’s not going to survive the week.
CHAPTER 6
LIAM
Iheft open the window with a jerk and topple backwards. My arms windmill and I manage to grab onto the frame to steady myself.