Page 89 of Kill Your Darlings

Considering the fact that I might be going to prison, maybe I needed to stop worrying about my lack of options and be grateful for my remaining days of full-time employment.

Into my silence, Rudolph said, “Suppose a reputable publishing housewerelooking for an editor of your caliber, someone with your experience and social media cachet?A house that could match your salary, healthcare, and retirement benefits?”

“What house is that?”I asked skeptically.A light bulb went on in the dusty corridors of my brain.“Theodore Mansfield?”

Rudolph raised his brows.

I blinked.“Is that even a possibility?”

“As you know, I’m retiring at the end of the year.Thankfully, TM isnotplanning to fold our editorial department into a publishing team.”He shuddered, although maybe that had to do with his damp clothes.“They’re very wisely planning to fill my position.”

“But wouldn’t that happen from within house?”

“Dear God, no.Our editors are all bright young things we hired for their fresh perspectives and next-gen voices.We need an actual adult in the room, someone to bridge the gap between the old fogeys on the board of directors and the children in the playpen.You would be the perfect solution.”

I can’t deny, my heart jumped at the idea—and then plummeted.

Even if I didn’t go to prison, didn’t have a trial, wasn’t arrested…could I contemplate starting from scratch?Editorial director was a big step up—was I really qualified to take that step?If I went to another publishing house, it would be all-out war with W&W, and God knows what that would mean.Also, regardless of what Rudolph believed, a lot of TM’s editorial staff, inexperienced or not, would deeply resent that top position going to an outsider.And finally, could I really contemplate abandoning what was left of Millhouse?Abandoning my remaining colleagues?Abandoning my remaining authors?Authors who were going on record in order to remain on my list?

Rudolph watched me for a moment, then said, “You don’t have to decide now.I admit I’ve proposed your name to the board.”

“Rudolph…”

“No.I’m not asking for an answer.I don’t plan to leave until the end of the year.I’m just reminding you that there arealwaysoptions.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Nor do you need to say anything at this point.It’s simply something to consider.”

“Yes.Thank you for even thinking of me.”I finished my scotch and set the glass on the table.“I should probably get going.I’m meeting people for drinks.”

“Yes, you should go enjoy yourself.”Rudolph waved a languid hand, and then reached for the decanter on the table between us.“I’ll tell you this.If I had it all to do over again, I’d have spent more time drinking with friends.”

I laughed, but I think he was serious.

Chapter Twenty-One

I was preoccupied when I walked out of Rudolph’s suite, understandably, which was maybe why I didn’t immediately notice the man standing a few yards down the hall.

When I finally spotted the tall figure with silver hair and tattoos, hovering in the middle of the hallway, the jolt of recognition felt almost inevitable.

That said, I think my sudden appearance surprised him as much as he surprised me, because he snapped erect and took a couple of steps backwards.

I hadn’t forgotten what Finn said aboutbad optics, bad precedent, bad move.I remembered every word.

I also remembered what Adrien English had said less than an hour earlier.

I hadn’t approached U.N.Owen AKA Troy Colby.He was not just by chance wandering on the fifth floor.He had come after me, and I instinctively felt my only option was to confront the threat.

“U.N.Owen, I presume?”I called.

He turned and started to walk away.

“I’m not amused.”

He faltered and turned back.He scowled.“Are you talking to me?”

Seeing that we were the only two people in the hall, it was a safe bet.

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