Page 81 of Executive Decision

Daphne

You really expect me to drop everything?

Me

If you want to.

Daphne

And if I was to drop by, what do you expect?

Me

Absolutely nothing.

We returned to the office. I sat, waiting for her response. Had I expected to see Daphne tonight? No. Did I want to see hereverynight? Yes. It wasn’t possible, but I wished it was. Nights with her far surpassed nights in a quiet penthouse alone. It didn’t matter what we did. She made me smile.

Daphne

What do you want, Cal?

Me

Oh, I get to choose now?

Daphne

You’ve been a good boy.

What do you want?

Me

If I get to choose… you on your knees, princess.

I waited. This could backfire. She’d never blown me. Daphne was trepidatious about certain things, so I never pushed. Instead, I suggested things and saw where it landed. Sometimes, it worked. Sometimes, it didn’t, but if we were honest, neither left unsatisfied.

Daphne

Tell me when

The next twelve hours would torture me, but I hoped the payoff was worth it.

30VICTORY LAP

Daphne

“I’m stepping out,”I whispered. “I need to grab something quick.”

“What is it you are looking for?” Dora asked.

“I need to break away for a minute,” I said. “Can you just cover for me?”

We browsed racks of clothing in our private shopping area at Delphine’s. Mum was enmeshed in a rack of dresses fit for a Sunday. I went with her to Sunday mass and already had enough. Dora, a good girl, never complained. In contrast, I talked Cal’s ear off about how little I enjoyed pretending everything was fine. It wasn’t.

I heard from my divorce attorney that Chandler’s attorney had added yetanotherroadblock to what should have been a simple dissolution of assets. We had no children. He wanted spousal support and my house—which I inherited. He wanted me to grant himuse. The judge would deny it, but it added time. I offered him a very handsome settlement, instead. Mum complained initially, but I wanted to be free. I’d make the money back with my business shares if there was value left after Davey finished running it into the ground.

“Why? You’re acting so weird. Can you bring me with you? I want to see what fun you get up to!”

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