Page 63 of The Enemy

The board started this war. Now, they had to deal with the fallout when I ended them.

It was like my first day at work all over again. By now, even the workers heard some version of the events that happened last weekend. Everyone had an opinion about my life, and at the end of the day, no matter what I did to some, I would never be enough.

Right before lunch, someone walked into my office and slammed the door shut. I braced myself for the incoming fight. When I looked up, I half expected to see my father there, not Neo.

Even though I told myself I would be okay to see him again, I wasn’t prepared. My heart began to beat erratically, an array of emotions working their way through it. I blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay, and had to stop myself from recoiling at the way my stomach clenched in pain.

“Can I help you?” I asked in my most dismissive tone.

Neo’s nostrils flared. He walked right up to my desk and leaned his forearms on the surface.

“Where have you been? You sure as fuck haven’t been home,” he seethed.

I was right in staying with Clove.

“That’s none of your business.”

He glared at me.

“The way you came hard as fuck on my cock makes it my business,” he spat back.

Mierda.If he got any louder, someone was bound to hear, and I couldn’t have him ruining my trump card.

“I hate you,” I spat back.

He had the audacity to look hurt.

“So, that’s it? You just wanted to fuck me out of your system,” he threw back at me in a cold voice I never heard before.

I let out a bitter laugh. There was no reason to keep up with the ruse, not when everything was about to go to hell.

“Stop with the act, Neo,” I told him, sounding more defeated than I wanted. “Bravo. You played me. I believed you when you said not to worry about Tatum. That you would take care of it, but then the asshole is sending you a message thanking you for believing him. I bet the two of you laughed at my stupidity.”

His face paled.

My lower lip quivered, and I bit it to stop myself from crying out.

“Lou.” His tone was soft. “I would never?—”

“Stop with the lies,” I cut him off.

His jaw clenched, and he looked away for a second, and when his gaze met mine again his brown eyes looked at me almost pleadingly.

“Lou—”

“Against my better judgment…” My voice broke, and I hated how weak I looked in front of him. “…I trusted you.”

“Then keep trusting me. Just a little longer.”

If it weren’t for my anger, I might have noted that this was the closest Neo had ever come to begging.

“Leave. I have a lot of work to do before Friday’s meeting,” I told him as I returned to look at my computer. “Congrats, by the way. I heard the board was pleased with you.”

“Are fucking staying with him?” Neo asked between gritted teeth.

I didn’t take Wes for a gossip, but I guess if he was part of their little trio, I should have known better.

“That’s none of your business,” I replied as I attempted to focus on my work.

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