Page 125 of Hello Billionaire

I pulled my phone away from my face, glaring at it. “Adults always say things are complicated when they’re not. Do you love my mom?”

“More than anything.”

“Then it’s simple, because I know she loves you. Stop being a jackass and make it right.”

I clicked my phone off and walked back to the house, my anger subsiding and being replaced by a tiny spark of hope. If he loved her, there was still a chance.

58

Gage

Sometimes it takes a fourteen-year-old kid to help you pull your head out of your ass. At least, it did for me. I wasn’t going to be another guy in his life missing his baseball games. And the way Levi spoke? The way he fought for what he wanted? Who’s to say he wouldn’t go on to change the world in a big way with a little bit of guidance?

Maybe I’d been looking at this the wrong way. Maybe my love for Farrah... maybe it could change the world and create a ripple effect. One where I could feel good about the work I did and live the life I wanted to live. With Farrah by my side.

Maybe he was right.

It could really be that simple.

* * *

I calledJason Romero in for another meeting the next day. Mia’s smile was as fake as it got as she walked him to my office. As soon as his back was turned, she scowled at me. I still wasn’t forgiven.

But if I had it my way, all would be righted soon. There were just some things I needed to handle first.

Jason Romero wore a sharp black suit with a white shirt and red tie. He clasped my hand and said, “Approval ratings are already up five percent, and we expect to see them climb even more this week.”

“That’s what I called you in about,” I said. “Our partnership is dissolved, effective immediately.”

He chuckled. “Good one, Griffen.”

“I’m serious.” I slid a manila envelope across the table. I’d called legal and PR after talking with Levi the night before and paid them handsomely to stay up preparing this for my meeting today. “This is a written document stating my separation from all dealings with Romero Corp, along with a press release we’ll be issuing tonight.”

Jason’s face flooded with color as he flipped through the pages, stating in not-so-fine print that Griffen Industries would be investing in another company that would bring even more jobs to West Texas, without Romero Corp’s involvement. They were, of course, welcome to continue with the plant, but we both knew he didn’t have the capital for it to make a difference before elections.

Taking satisfaction in his reddening face, I said, “Thanks for coming in, but now it’s time for you to leave.”

His mouth opened and closed as he sputtered, “You can’t do this. I have sway in that area, and I will ruin you. You’ll be tied up in litigation so deep that you’ll regret the day you ever chose that whore over our business deal.”

I held up my phone, showing the recording of our conversation. “I’m sure your constituency would love to hear about your multiple attacks on a single mom of three.”

His lips curled into a sneer.

“The investment you’ve made thus far in marketing is being wired to your bank account as we speak.” I stood, using all my energy to keep from punching this jackass in the teeth like I should have three days ago. “Now get out of my building, or I’ll have security throw you out on your ass like you deserve.”

He snatched up the manila envelope, storming out of the office.

I followed him to my door, watching as he disappeared into the elevator, then I said, “Mia, will you get Shantel and bring her in, please?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice slightly less cold.

I walked back to my space, looking out over the horizon for longer than I ever allowed myself to. The city was beautiful, sprawled out before me. I imagined how many hands it had taken to build the roads piling atop each other like strings of spaghetti. How many people had worked to construct the high rises and homes.

So many people working together to create something amazing.

I’d spent more than a decade of my life turned away from this window, focusing on my company.

Now, it was time to turn around and face the beauty I’d missed all these years.

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