Page 70 of Unmasking You

Something passes over Alexi’s face, and before I can ask he continues. “We have to talk, and you’re not going to like it.”

Not what I want to hear after spending some happy time with Shane.

“I’m ready.” But I’m not sure I am.

“You know how diligent I am in my work. Before deciding, I have to ponder all the variables.”

“Yes,” I say and nod, because he is that anal. But I’m grateful for it, because Alexi has saved our asses more than once.

“I had a chat with one of my contacts, and apparently Proud to Be is up for grabs.”

“What?” Why did Shane not say anything? Does he know?

“Yes. It is not advertised, though. I don’t think they want people to know.”

Or just one person.

“Can I buy it?”

“I knew you’d say something like that, so I’ve already put a feeler out.”

I walk to him and plant a kiss on his forehead. “That’s why I love you, you wonderful man.”

“I love you too, you pain in my arse.”

“It has to be mine. I don’t want anyone knowing I’m buying, and I don’t want to fight to have it.”

“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

I chuckle at the Godfather reference. “Thank you, man.”

I don’t want that bastard to win. I’m tired of him owning Shane because of the things he loves.

This time I’m going to set him free.

Three weeks. It took us three weeks to settle everything down.

Twenty-one bloody days spent away from Shane. I only had time to text when I was in between meetings, and I couldn’t spend the night because Alexi and I were planning the next move to win.

Turns out that buying another company is a bloody long process, and finding the money to buy it’s even more complicated. I couldn’t have done it without Alexi, Ruby, and Liam. They all chipped in, with Alexi being the face of the operation and the mind behind it, and with Liam’s help and talent in knowing when to make a move, we were able to beat the competition.

There’s only one more thing I need to do, so everything is how it should be.

“Jamie Wilson,” I say when I approach the reception.

“Good morning, sir. Eleventh floor,” she says after checking the screen.

I press the button after entering the lift, and then nervously tap my fingers on my thigh until the door opens and I put my mask on.

No weaknesses today.

I walk out of the lift, and I’m welcomed by another desk, but there’s no person to welcome me. I stand there, unsure of what to do, when voices coming from the door behind the desk get my attention.

I recognise one of the voices, so I walk towards the door.

“Sir? Sir, please. You can’t go in. I have to let Mr Campbell know you have arrived.”

I glance at the person, noticing how far they are from me, and then ignore their request to stop, open the door, walk in, and close it behind my back.

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