Page 112 of I'll Keep Her Safe

“Actually, I think we’re about to wrap up. Thanks, Nina.”

The door barely closes before Kurt says, “How do you get anything done with that hot piece of ass around here?” He’s definitely on the verge of drunk, and Kurt isnota pleasant drunk. More like an arrogant, misogynistic drunk. All his worst qualities, dialed to ten.

Wes shifts in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. “So, we’d be interested in any clients you can bring across,” he continues, ignoring Kurt’s crude comment.

“Well, I’m under contract,” Kurt says with a sigh. “But… it wouldn’t be my fault if those client names happened to get leaked, would it?” His eyes gleam again with that self-congratulatory air. God, how has Wes not socked him in the face yet?

“So you’d be happy to share them with me?” Wes presses, rising to his feet as if to end the meeting. I can’t blame him—I’d want to get the fuck away from Kurt too.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get out of that place,” Kurt agrees. He hiccups, surprising himself, as he stands to extend his hand. There’s a slight sway to him, as he adds, “In fact, I’ll send over a list tonight. Accidentally, of course.” He throws in an exaggerated wink.

“Thank you, Mr. Snell. We’ll be in touch.”

Then Kurt totters from the room, and while he’s out of the frame, he says something to Wes’s assistant in a sleazy tone that makes my skin crawl. Wes catches it too, his jaw tightening, and he calls Nina in to rescue her. He motions to the camera, which she walks across to, ending the video.

I lean back as Daisy sets her phone down, my mind spinning. “Wow.”

“I know.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “He totally incriminated himself.”

“And with very little prompting,” I add, taking a sip of my coffee. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. That video was pure, unadulterated Kurt. An arrogant, self-serving man who truly believes he’s invincible, that the world owes him everything, and there will never be any consequences for his behavior.

“It’s fucking brilliant,” Violet says savagely. “When do we take it to his boss?”

I laugh, feeling a surge of gratitude for her loyalty, despite not knowing me long. “I don’t know.”

“The sooner the better,” Violet says, “or you might talk yourself out of it.”

I glance between Violet and Daisy, gnawing on my lip as nerves twinge inside me again. They’re probably right.

Daisy picks up her phone. “Well, I’ve shared the footage with you, so it’s ready whenever you are.”

I must look worried because Violet reaches out to squeeze my arm. “You’ve got this, babe. Just think of the shit he did to hurt you.”

“You’re right,” I murmur, pushing my hesitation away. He hurt me, and it’s time to hurt him back. I slide off the stool with a somber smile. “I need to go home and prep the lunches for today. Thank you both so much, and please thank Wes again, Daisy. He was amazing.”

“He really was, wasn’t he?” Daisy says dreamily, and Violet and I share a grin as we head outside.

Back at Wyatt’s place, I get to work putting together today’s lunches. I’m still working in Wyatt’s kitchen rather than the new place, because it feels weird to be there without him. And until I set up there properly, I can’t take on any more work. Actually, until I get my own delivery van—and possibly hire someone to help me—I can’t take on more work.

But it’s easy to push those thoughts from my mind as I go about my day. I’m too consumed with missing Wyatt, vacillating between trusting our relationship and wondering if things are still fine. And when I’m not worrying about that, I’m anxious at the thought of taking the footage to Kurt’s boss. Will I really be able to go through with it? I’ve never been the vindictive kind. What if I lose my nerve, like Violet said?

It’s 2.30 when I finally get back to the house after my lunch deliveries, fried from the early meeting at Daisy’s and my relentless, swirling thoughts. I’m planning to climb into bed under my weighted blanket for an hour, but when I step into the house, that thought vanishes.

“You’re back!” I exclaim, as Wyatt glances up from where he’s petting Sugar on his lap on the sofa.

“I’m back.” His eyes sparkle as they slide across me, but I hesitate in the kitchen, uncertain. “Come here, baby.”

I breathe out in relief, crossing the room. Wyatt lifts a disgruntled Sugar from his lap, setting her down on the floor, then tugs me into her spot.

“I missed you,” he murmurs, dragging his nose along my neck. “So much.”

His words make me relax into him. Ofcourseeverything’s good. How could I doubt that?

“I missed you too.” I take his face in my hands, pressing a kiss to his mouth. The sudden connection with him chafes against the little wound that’s festered inside me for the past few days, and I blurt, “I was worried you might have second thoughts.”

Wyatt’s brow furrows. “Second thoughts about us?”

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, nodding, and he gives a slow shake of his head.

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