Page 64 of Ruined Promises

It took everything in me not to walk right out of the room and find Dominic and kill him. Well, not kill him because that would definitely keep me away from Lexi with me being in jail, but I would definitely beat the shit out of him. An awkward conversation with my brother took place.

I had to carefully plan his takedown—one that keeps him away for good.

For the past week, I’ve forced Lexi to focus on preparing the Best Of party to keep her mind off everything. I should be there now; the party starts in just under two hours, but I needed to take care of this first.

“Excuse me, but you can’t just barge in here.” I ignore the annoying voice of the bleach-blonde female yelling to stop me.

I push open the door of Dominic’s office at Burke, Wilson, and Talbot. The knob slams into the wall with a loud clunk. I find him sitting at his desk as if he owns the place, feet perched up, leaning back in his chair, and phone receiver glued to his ear.

“I’m sorry, Harvey, I’m going to need to call you back.”

He hangs up the phone and rises from his chair, buttoning his suit coat.

“Bentley Harrington. To what do I owe you the pleasure of this visit?”

“You know what the fuck I’m doing here,” I say through gritted teeth. I had planned to keep my cool, but watching him come around the front of his desk, sitting on the edge with both his ankles and arms crossed as if this is a pleasant everyday occurrence, has my blood boiling.

“Dominic, do you need me to call security?” the secretary asks from the doorway.

“No, Missy, that won’t be necessary. Leave us.” He dismisses her with just a wave. “I figured it was only a matter of time before you came sniffing around here. Come to discuss what it’s like with my sloppy seconds. Or maybe you’d rather have a go at my secretary there. I preferred her over Lexi as well.”

I grind my teeth so hard I may have cracked a molar with my jaw so taut.

I step up to him, gripping his collar in my hands. “Leave Lexi the fuck alone. I swear to God, if you come anywhere near her, me, my family, or my company,I will end you.”

My grip on him tightens as he laughs sinisterly. Does he think I’m joking? I will do anything I have to to protect my family especially from scumbags like him.

“You think I’m scared of your threats? It’s quite perfect, my plan. See, in the beginning I thought having that company would bring me great joy. But all it will take is one little press conference, and I will get to ruin it all, including your precious Lexi.”

Nothing is more satisfying than the sound of my fist hitting Dominic’s face. The crunch of bone breaking and blood splattering. Days of frustration at the world rolled into one justifiable punch. Dominic falls back on his desk, causing a loud banging noise of objects shuffling to the floor.

“You asshole,” Dominic shouts as he wipes the blood dripping from his face. “I’ll have your ass out on the street,” he barks.

“No, you won’t.” The shadow that appears in the doorway is none other than the previous owner of my company, Paul Jennings.

I placed a call to him earlier this week, alerting him of his son’s indiscretions. He was utterly mortified and promised to return from Florida, where he and his wife had retired, to deal with him. However, I couldn’t just sit back and let him do it on his own. Like I told Lexi, I will do anything I can to protect the ones I love.

“Thank you for the call.” Paul shakes my hand. “I believe you have a party to get to, and a girl to claim.”That I do.

He then turns to his son, who is finally collecting himself up off his desk. “As for you, you proved my point. You’re acting like a spoiled child and a pathetic excuse for a man, willing to tear others down because you’re so unhappy with yourself. Your actions have consequences, Dominic. I’ve already spoken to Jason Burke about your actions, and you should pack your shit. You’re no longer employed here.”

With one last look over my shoulder, Dominic begins arguing with his father. I’ve wasted enough time on this sorry excuse for a person. How Lexi could fall for someone that conniving, I will never know, but now it’s time for me to get my girl—before she has my ass for being late.

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