Page 149 of Seeing Grayscale

He eyes my jeans with a knowing smile before gesturing I go inside his office room. “Please, have a seat.”

I only get three steps into the room before a familiar form comes into my sight. Reclining on a tasteful black leather sofa in the far corner of the room, near the window overlooking City Hall, sits Xavier fucking Malone. He’s in a pinstripe suit, sleek black loafers, and has a chained pocket watch he’s dangling from his fingers.

My feet skid to a halt.

“What…I was under the impression this meeting would be between us,” I mutter, my eyes bouncing between them.

I want to get in that prick's face. Scream at him for blowing a hole in my life, for fucking me over and stealing the company I’ve poured my blood sweat and tears into right out from under me.

But I don’t. I take a breath, hold it, and wait for an explanation.

“Mr. Kade,” Xavier coos, a wolfish grin on his face. “How nice to see you.”

Bristling, I look to Grant instead. The man smooths his suit jacket and leans against his desk. “Please excuse me for…misleading you. We knew you’d reach out but didn’t think it’d be this…soon.”

Xavier stands, walks over to Grant, and slides his arm around the candidate's waist. My eyes widen a fraction, but I remain silent.What the hell is this?“What my lover isn’t saying is that we set you up.”

“That’s not what we—”

“You did what?” I snap. My patience is thinning, and I’m so confused I want to scream. My nerves are already frayed, I’m exhausted— “You set me up?”

Grant sighs delicately before clearing his throat. “Edward Kade cannot run for the Senate. That’s what this is all leading up to.”

“You…what?” I’m flabbergasted and slightly appalled.

“The governor is a monster,” Xavier says simply, looking at his watch as if this is a boring conversation. “Since I can’t get rid of him the old-fashioned way, we are trying Grant’s political route. Slander, bribery, and blackmail.”

Grant sighs again before glaring at his… what the fuck is happening! “You outed me to my father and OAT’s CEO to…dowhat? How could you do this? How could you out a person?” I demand, staring right into Grant’s eyes.

“He already knew. Everyone in our circles did.”

I feel faint. I have to grab a hold of the chair nearest me so I don’t fall over. “What?”

“Edward Kade knew you were queer long before we ever did. And the only way to get to him was to go through you. Unfortunately.” Xavier is not remorseful at all. He fucking shrugs like it had to be done and I should just get over it.

“Stop being so harsh,” Grant scolds him. “We had to pull back the curtain. You were always going to cover for your dad’s crimes. And the media loves you—the prodigal son walking in his father’s footsteps, who can do no wrong. As long as he had you in his corner, the facts would only be seen as a rumor or at best, a candidacy tactic.”

“I came here to help you puthimin jail. Him! Not my dad!” I point at Xavier. “He’s a drug lord abusing his wealth by enlisting the minority to sell his products!”

Grant simply stares at me. “And I’m here to give OAT back to you.”

My hand flies to my hair as I start to pace. “This is insane.”

“Help us stop him, and I’ll make sure OAT is yours. For good.”

“I don’t fucking want it!” I roar. “I want him in jail and my dad ruined!”

“Tell him,” Xavier says with a dramatic sigh and an eyeroll.

“Xavier Malone is a made-up name. He doesn’t exist. XavierRamirezis my fiancé and is part of a task force infiltrating the local drug rings, under the guise of being a top supplier.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake."

“It’s true,” Grant insists.

I study the man still holding Grant’s waist. He is patiently waiting for me to agree to their terms. “We are trying to find their source, apprehend them, and stop it from entering thestate. But that’s a story for another time. What we need from you, Hunter, is cooperation.”

“So you just ruin my life only to make it all better two days later?” I growl.

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