Page 14 of Unwrapping the Billionaire

“That’s kinda hard to imagine… Is there really no other way to save your dad’s company?”

“Nope. Jonas Farley literally has the power to make or break me.” I down the next shot, and bury my head in my hands. “With Nathan out of the way, I could have made that company work, Trina. I had so many ideas. I wasthisclose… When the online magazine took off, I felt like I was finally making good on my dad’s faith in me.” I stop and take a breath. “That company is so much more than his legacy... It represents me, my self-worth, andmyfuture, and I refuse to let my ex-boyfriend take it away from me.”

11

Jonas

Present

“Then why send me that fucking email?” I howl at her across the bar, even though I know she can't hear me.

This is her fault.

She put herself in this position.

But do I really want to break her spirit over it?

Her friend is wrong. I loved the push and pull of us. What we had was a real partnership. She was my equal in everything, right down the middle. She was gutsy and independent. When I fell down, she was strong enough to catch me, and you can't buy that shit out of a Victoria’s Secret catalogue.

I slam my fist down on the bar counter. I feel wronged and cheated out of my happy ever after. She needs to apologize for acting so heartless. If she does, I might ease up on my humiliation of her later.

Maybe I need to apologize, too.

“Bullshit,” I hiss. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

You didn’t need to act like such a dick to her over the last two years.

You don't need to act like such a dick to her now.

I turn to Present who is perched on a bar stool next to me—long legs crossed to the side like she’s The First Lady, and not Miss Agent Provocateur, sipping demurely from a Cosmopolitan. “Are you in my goddamn head now? The last remaining part you didn’t pulverize with your stiletto.”

“No, Mr. Farley,” she says innocently, projecting a Bambi-like thing that makes me want to take a shotgun to her ass. “I believe what you’re hearing is your conscience waking up are averylong sleep.”

“Are you kidding me? I buried my conscience along with my fa…” I stop dead, clocking the irony. “Oh no, no, no. No goddamn way.” I shake my head, back and forth, like a maniac. “That part of me is dead and gone. I’d rather play eighteen holes with the Pope and a T-Rex than—”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” she interrupts smoothly, before returning to her cocktail.

Meanwhile, Grace is downing her third shot. That girl is going to be wrecked… She never could hold her alcohol.

Am I really that much of a cunt she has to drown herself in cheap tequila before she meets with me?

“Fuck off!” I roar, metaphorically slamming the front door in my conscience’s face, and then banging a couple of bolts across for good measure. “I’m the best lay you ever had, Gracie Parker! You should be skipping up to my building for another ride, with your panties around your ankles and your inhibition gage set to zero. I bet you’re wet just thinking about me!”

Present raises one perfectly arched eyebrow in my direction.

“What? You don't believe me? Present, baby, I could make you come without even touching you…”

Present stays silent, but there’s a look of disdain in her poisonous, dark eyes.

“Is that a challenge? Feel free to hop on, anytime,” I say, pointing to my crotch. “Because it looks like Gracie Parker sure as hell doesn’t want it…” I pause again. A feeling I buried long ago is spreading through my body like a weed.

This is even worse than my conscience homecoming.I don't want to feel anything for that woman. We’re over. Finito. Round of applause not necessary…

“We’re done here,” I snap, heading for the door. “Take me back to my office. I have ten minutes before Grace is due. She offered this, and I’m damn well taking it. It’s about time my dick got some attention.” I reach for the brass handle when there’s a light tapping on my shoulder. “And another thing—”

Bang.

I never see the fist coming.

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