Page 87 of Cocky Prince
She waves me off. “Over your new hires. He wanted me to stay out of it—said I wouldn’t like the consequences if I didn’t.”
I force out a sigh. “Then why would you dare go against him?”
Her face turns red. “Because he’s a bully! I won’t—Irefuseto let someone do that to me again. He has no right! How can you be involved in Bliss, knowing what he’s using it for?”
“I didn’t know about it until they promoted me. At least, not the full extent.”
“But you know now. Why aren’t you doing something?”
“I never said I wasn’t doing anything. I said it isn’t safe foryouto be involved.”
“But it’s safe for you?”
I don’t answer, because she’s right. It’s not. But I’m in it and she isn’t. As far as Blackwell is concerned, Hayden doesn’t know anything. If she starts waving red flags, that won’t last long. “You need to stop, Hayden. You can’t go up against our CEO. I’ve been around men like him my entire life. He’s powerful.”
She hops off the desk and crosses her arms. “Finding evidence of what he’s up to is the right thing to do. I’m not running from this.”
I settle my hands on her shoulders. “There’s nothing wrong with running if it keeps you safe.”
She steps to the side and glares. “Yes, there is!”
“This isn’t about some punks throwing rocks,” I say, my voice rising.
She stares like she can’t believe what she’s hearing. “Those punks nearly killed me.”
I rub my forehead. “I’m not trying to lessen what happened. It’s just—This is different. If you keep pushing, you’ll be hit with much worse than rocks.” I gentle my voice, because I need for her to listen. “Whatever you’re thinking about doing? Don’t. Just give me time, Hayden. You said that you would.”
“To do what? Get yourself put in prison? I care about you.” Her voice quavers and her eyes grow watery. “But if I find something—even if it involves you—I’m taking it to the police.”
“You think I’d willingly be a part of this?”
“Aren’t you? You accepted the ring. And you’re involved in the Bliss suites.” She steps forward and hits my chest with the side of her fist. Not hard, but laden with frustration. “Why, Adam? Why the hell did you do it?”
I capture her fist in both of mine. “The simple answer is, because my father ordered me to work at Blue. That Blackwell brought me into his…exclusive group…was coincidental. The ring means nothing.”
“It’s symbolic.” She shakes her head. “Do you do everything your father says?”
“Historically? Yes.”
Her chin wobbles and her voice softens. “Well, maybe it’s time you didn’t. Youcanwalk away.”
I glance past her out the window, barely seeing the mountains and lake. “No. I can’t.” My gaze tracks back to hers. “I’m serious when I say you need to stay out of this.”
She pulls away and grabs her purse.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.” She doesn’t look back as she heads for the door. “Don’t wait up.”
* * *
Ireturn to my house, which feels like a shell of a place. How have I lived here for so long without feeling lonely?
Right. I did. I just never knew the difference until I started seeing Hayden. I filled the void with shallow women, nice cars, and trips to Ibiza. Now I don’t give a damn about any of that. I just want tonight to be over with so that I can make things up to Hayden.
I change into an evening suit and check my phone. I texted Jaeg an hour ago and told him to call me as soon as he could, but my screen shows no messages. I pull up Tyler’s contact information.
“It’s Adam,” I say after he answers. “Have you—heard anything? Something that might be going on tonight? Hayden left work and I got the impression she was going out, or had plans.”
