Page 108 of Red King

Cathy is going to twist everything.

I know what I have to do to keep this from getting out. It’s the only thing I can think of. I’m sure she’ll go for it because it serves her.

If there’s one thing I’ve come to know about this woman, it’s that Cathy is all about Cathy.

I know what I have to do.

30

Arctic

I know what I have to do.

No, not what Ihaveto do, but what Ineedto do, what Iwantto do.

I only hope that Paisley will agree. My stomach is twisted up in knots because she’s already five minutes late.

I close my computer and groan. Then stand and start pacing up and down, up and down. I can’t sit still.

I’m such an idiot. She was apprehensive about meeting in the forest. She said it would be risky. And I talked her into it because I’m such a selfish prick.

I’ll fix it.

I’ll sort it out.

There is a knock on the door, and Paisley walks in, closing it behind her.

The look on her face as she turns toward me fucks me up. I go to her and put my arms around her, pulling her in.

“I’m so sorry,” I say into her hair.

She stays stiff and doesn’t hug me back. After a few seconds, she even shrugs me off.

I’ll fix it.

I will!

“We really need to talk.” Her voice is clipped.

No! Fuck!

“I’m going to fire Cathy!” I tell her. “I’ll handle everything. It’s my fault.”

Paisley frowns. “No, that wouldn’t be right. You can’t fire her for catching us. And it’s notyourfault. I knew the risks. I’m just as much to blame.”

“She deserves to be fired. I can tell from the look on your face that she plans on telling everyone. I’ll fire her because she intended to seduce me.”

“She says she was lost and ran into us.” Paisley gives a one-shouldered shrug.

“It’s a lie!” I need to calm down. I breathe in and out a few times. It doesn’t help.

“Of course it’s a lie, but it’s her word against ours. I’ve given it a ton of thought, and there’s only one thing that we can do.”

“I’ll speak to my Council,” I say.

“I need to resign,” she says at the same time as me.

“What?” I shake my head. “No, Paisley. No! You’re not resigning, and that’s final. I’ll talk to Cathy. I’ll—”

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