Page 106 of Counterfeit Connection

“What? She decided to go home? Honestly, I’m shocked you didn’t go with her.”

“No, I chose to stay here. She needed to go. She needed to be away from me and away from all of this.”

I see his shoulders fall. “Fuck, mate, what have you done?”

“Something that is killing me, but it’s necessary. I can’t let my life and all of the bullshit that comes with it suck the life out of her. I refuse.” I scrub my hand over my face. “I need you to do a few things for me.”

“Anything, you know that.”

“My mother is working toward the big shift at Orion. We’ll need to be ready to put things in place at the drop of a hat.”

“Consider it done.”

“That’s not all. In a few days, I need you to go back over to the States to help Kaitlyn transition into working under your leadership and supervision.”

He tilts his head in confusion. “I can do that via Skype or Zoom, I—”

“No. I want you to go check on her and make sure she’s all right. I’d do it myself but… I can’t.”

“Are you fucking leaving her? After all this you’re walking away? You know you’re a right daft prick, you know that?”

“That and a coward. Just go. I don’t have the energy to take the piss out of you right now. Just go.”

For the first time in our existence as friends, Tobias gives me a look for the ages then does what I asked him to do. I’m finally alone…and I hate it.

Chapter 33

Kaitlyn

For my entire life, landing in New York City filled me with excitement. I’ve always loved the hidden romanticism and the little communities within the huge city. I love the sounds. I love the food. I love the social life I built here.

But now, just a few days after seeing my naked body all over the internet and Griffin insisting I leave him, New York doesn’t have the same effect on me.

Marilyn was excited to be back in our apartment, but all I see, feel, and smell is him. He barely spent any time here, but he’s now so woven into my life that he’s everywhere.

The minute I was alone, I kicked off my shoes and climbed into my cold, empty bed and let the tears I’d so bravely held back on the flight begin to fall.

The sun has risen and fallen at least once since I collapsed onto the mattress. My stomach is starting to protest, but I don’t have the strength to move. Now I understand Bella sitting in the chair by the window for months after Edward left her.

I want to lie in bed and rot, but my reputation is falling apart as we speak. I have to girl boss my way through this, even if it kills me.

Somehow.

My newfound inner strength helps me sit up, but that’s as far as I get before someone lets themself into my apartment.

Normally, I’d run for the baseball bat I keep next to my bedroom door, but if someone wants to rob me, I don’t think I’d stop them.

“Kaitlyn? Don’t get your bat. It’s just me,” I hear Katarina say from the hallway. “Hey, sweet girl.” I can hear Kat petting Marilyn and her patented meows are filling the silence.

“I’m here too,” Mika’s voice calls, closer than Kat’s. Her body pops around the corner. She’s still got her workout gear on from her yoga class this morning. Her amazing curls are plopped on top of her head. “You’re still in bed?”

“Yeah. What time is it?”

She turns her head to look out the doorway toward where I hear Kat, as she silently and subtly shakes her head. “Babe, it’s almost one.” Mika kneels down in front of me. Just when I think I’ve cried my last tear; the flood gates open again. “Oh, honey, no.”

“How did I get here? I don’t even understand.”

Kat growls, “Those fucking trolls and a man whose dick I’d love to fry in hot oil happened.”

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