Page 48 of Married to Number 22
This is simply a means to an end—with Aiden doing me a giant solid—and I’m going to do my best to return the favor, to make it good, to make sure it doesn’t explode in his face, to make certain the shrapnel of my life doesn’t wound him.
I’ll take care of things while he’s on the road, give him mind-blowing orgasms when he’s home, and we’re friends, lovers. We’ve always gotten along, always had a great time together. I’ll make sure that doesn’t change either.
Then, eventually…I’ll set him free.
And no, I’m not acknowledging how much the thought of that hurts already.
How much more it will hurt when I get more time with him.
My heart pulses and I clench my teeth together.
Before it goes bad, I will set him free.
“Like a fucking butterfly,” I mutter dryly as I shove the rest of my makeup into my toiletry bag then bring it to my suitcase, stowing it, and zipping everything closed.
That makes this all feel real, but at least my mental pep talk means that I’m not going to run screaming into the heels. I can’t, not just for me, but also for what I want to do.
So, I make it downstairs without incident, heading for the front door.
Unfortunately, that’s wherewithout incidentends.
Because just as I’m reaching for the door, there’s a knock on the other side.
No. Someone’spoundingon the other side.
And there are only two people who think they have the right to announce their presence like this, who think they have the right tome.
My father.
And John—my brother.
“Dammit,” I whisper, pushing my suitcase to the side, parking it against the wall. I drop my tote onto the floor next to it.
And then I shore myself up.
I’ll deal with them.
I always do.
The pounding lets up for a half a second then starts anew, thankfully annoying me enough that I’m running on rage as I flick the lock, twist the handle, and then yank open the door. “What?” I snap, seeing it’s my brother, and thank fuck for small miracles, that he’s alone.
“We need to go to the office,” he snaps. “Immediately.”
My hackles go up and I grind my teeth together so I don’t snap at him, so I don’tthrottlehim. “I’m busy today,” I grit out, and at least my tone is neutral. “Want to clue me in on what you need?”
“There’s a board meeting and a vote.” He jerks his hand impatiently. “You need to be there for it.”
“Something I’d maybe know about if I wasn’t pushed out of the family business?” I ask dryly.
He jerks again, this time with his whole body. “This shit again?” He sniffs. “I thought you didn’t want any part of ourdirty money.” A sneer. “I was just doing as you asked, remember?”
Convenient he only did it because it made him easier to further his agenda and shut down mine.
But he’s not wrong.
I wanted out of the family business…at least until Grams dropped her bombshell.
But God, I just don’t have the energy to deal with his bullshit today.
