Page 67 of Playing Dirty
There was a pause on the line, the kind where you can hear someone choosing their words. “That’s a serious allegation, Mr. Callahan. Do you have documentation?”
“Yes,” I said, glancing at Sawyer, who patted the bag with all the proof. “And I can have it in your inbox within minutes.”
Behind me, Colt stood like a wall, arms crossed, eyes never leaving Matt.
The HR rep’s voice sharpened. “We’ll be investigating this immediately.”
That’s when Matt lunged forward, snatching the phone from my hand. “This is Matt Downing,” he said, breathless and defensive. “I’ll save you the trouble. I resign. Effective immediately.”
I arched a brow at him, watching the last of the fight drain from his face as he shoved the phone back into my hand.
The woman on the other end didn’t miss a beat. “Once we receive an email from you about your decision to formally resign, we’ll process your resignation and follow up as needed. But not without an investigation.” The HR representative took a quick breath and continued. “Your wife, Maggie Downing,also works for Frontier Market. She will be notified about the marriage license discrepancy since she is listed as your wife and the one to notify in an emergency.” The line clicked dead.
Matt’s shoulders sagged, the fight gone, replaced with something smaller—something cornered.
“Guess that’s it, then,” Sawyer said quietly.
“Not quite,” I replied. “We’re giving you a ride.”
We loaded into the truck without another word from Matt. He slumped in the passenger seat like he was riding out a hangover, eyes fixed on the dashboard, jaw working but no sound coming out. Sawyer drove, steady and silent, while Colt sat in the back with the evidence bag on his knee like it was a loaded gun.
The deputy was already waiting when we rolled into the sheriff’s lot. He stepped down off the porch with Matt’s keys in hand, a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.
“Truck’s all yours,” he said, holding the keys out. “But here’s the deal—an officer’s gonna follow you to the county line. And if you know what’s good for you, you won’t bring yourself, your truck, or your lies back to Lovelace.”
Matt snatched the keys without a thank-you. He glanced at me, like maybe he still thought he could say something to get out from under this.
I stepped in close enough that he could see I meant every word. “Don’t call her. Don’t text her. Don’t even think about her. You cross that line, and it won’t just be your job you lose next time.”
For a second, I thought he might come back with some smart remark. But instead, he turned on his heel and climbed into his truck. The deputy followed him out, patrol car pulling in behind like a shadow, ready to chase.
We stood there until the taillights dipped out of sight, swallowed by the road. The air felt clearer somehow, the knot in my chest loosening for the first time in weeks.
Colt adjusted his hat. “That’s that.”
“Yeah,” I said, looking out toward the open stretch of highway. “Matt Downing’s gone. And Callie’s coming home to a clean slate.”
Sawyer didn’t say anything—just gave me a slow nod before heading back to the truck.
I checked my watch. Still early afternoon. Plenty of time to arrange another private jet and beat the Vegas sunset. “Let’s go surprise the gals,” I said to Colt. “I’d rather tell Callie the news in person.”
“You in?” I asked Sawyer.
He shook his head. “Nope. Got my own plans.”
“Who is she?” I asked.
“That,” he said, “is for me to know and for you to find out.”
I laughed and followed Colt toward the truck, already thinking about the moment I could see her face when she realized Matt was out of her life for good.
And this time, he really was.
Chapter Twenty-One
Double Down
Callie
