Page 92 of Caleb
“I’m not a fucking mafia boss,” he says calmly, as if trying to summon his diplomatic persona back in place. But he fails miserably as he retakes his seat and pours himself another scotch. His hands are shaky with evident agitation. “I would never hurt you.” I narrow my eyes at him because if he isn’t a mafia boss, then he shouldn’t behave like one. “But you can forget about your job with Ambassador Bailey.” The skin on his neck is still blotchy, and for the first time in years, I see a few sweat beads running down his temples. If threatening me with the possibility of that job not happening for me is his big comeback, he’s already screwed.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “I wasn’t planning on keeping that job anyway. But what I would like to keep is your secrets. You know I’m loyal. I’ve been nothing but devoted to you and your daughter these past four years. You can’t deny that. And I hate lying in your stead, but I’ll do it. I’ll keep lying, omitting, and hiding things from her if it means I can be there for her. I bet she would be devastated to discover the truths you’ve been conveniently hiding from her for years.”
The Ambassador downs what’s left of his scotch, slams the tumbler on the desk, and runs a finger around the rim. He’s not used to losing, and I can tell by the look in his dark homicidal gaze that it’s not an enjoyable experience for him.
“Billie is not your late wife, and I am not Agent Mark,” I say in an attempt to push him further over the ledge. “Don’t make the same mistake in pushing me away when you know I’d give my life for your daughter if it ever came to that.” I’m playing with fire, but there is no turning back from this. I either launch myself into the abyss or risk losing her forever.
The Ambassador’s chest is heaving, and his silence is terrifying, but I can’t let it affect me. I can’t let him break me. I need to push through this madness because he knows he’s already lost this one. I just need to give it a few minutes to let it sink in fully inside his brain. All I can do is continue to work my case with as much confidence as I can muster.
“I’ll sign whatever you want for my silence, but I need you to guarantee that you won’t fire me. If she ever wants me gone, I’ll leave. Willingly. But as long as your daughter has security, I get to be a part of it.”
Lingering seconds pass of us glaring at each other, both unwilling to break the contact, like a twisted game of chicken.
“Okay,” he says simply as he draws in a breath. “But … I will add a clause that says you won’t ever pursue her romantically. If you do, you’re gone. You’re in love with her? I couldn’t care less. But should youeverattempt to express those feelings to her or ask her out on a secret little date, we are going to have a problem. If she ever initiates something on her own, you push her away. As far as you can.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. There’s always something with this man. It’s like trying to make a deal with the devil and hoping to come out unscathed. It’s impossible. But I’ll take it, as long as I can be there for her. I’ll do anything. Sacrifice everything—even the possibility of us, as far-fetched as it may be.
Holding out my hand, I say, “Deal.”
He shakes my hand. “I’ll have my lawyers draft that document as soon as possible. You’ll need to sign it before boarding the plane tomorrow. And believe me when I tell you that you’ll wish you never came to me with this. I really hope, for your sake, that you meant it when you said your feelings for my daughter are nothing but friendly. Because you are otherwise in for a world of suffering. Andyouchose this.”
“All I care about is your daughter’s safety and happiness.”
“It’s settled then,” he says, knocking on the desk. He waves me off. “Close the door behind you when you leave.”
Nodding once, I head toward the door and open it just a tad.
“Oh, and before I forget,” I say, my brows pulling together. “Annette wanted to let you know she quits. So, unfortunately, she won’t be coming to New York.” I press my lips together and make a sad face. “I really enjoyed comforting her every time you guys got into a fight, though. She would always come to me.”
He’s looking at me like he knows exactly what I mean, so I smile modestly, basking in the triumph of these back-to-back indisputable victories, and shut the door behind me. And as I walk away, I rest easy in the knowledge that even if I can’t have his daughter, at least I got to fuck his girlfriend.
Twice.
We’ll Always Have Paris
I WALK OUT OFAmbassador Murphy’s office with a grin. I need to fucking call my family! They were expecting me in Tel Aviv in two days. And I need to talk to Aaron and tell him everything. Oh, man. I still can’t believe I’m going to New York. I’ve never actually been there! There are a few things I need to do and a few calls I need to make (to thank Annette) before I can board that plane tomorrow, and that includes signing the new contract, which is basically a death sentence. But I get to keep looking after Red. And that’s all that matters.
That’s all I wanted. And I made it happen.
Ambassador Murphy stayed in his office. He didn’t come out after I did. And now I’m back outside in the gardens, and Red’s nowhere to be found. Only a few staff members remain, eating paella and drinking wine.
“She left thirty seconds ago,” Aaron says when I approach him. “Her friends just left too.”
“Oh, okay,” I say with a smile.
“What just happened?” Aaron narrows his eyes at me. “Where’s the Ambassador?”
“Back in his office,” I say, lifting a brow. “We need to cancel those interviews you’d scheduled for me in Israel.”
“I don’t—what do you mean?” Aaron’s brow furrows.
“I’m going to New York!” I laugh.
“What! How?” He pulls me against him and embraces me tightly. He then breaks off the embrace and says, “Tell me everything. Have you eaten?”
“No, I haven’t.” I shake my head and stuff my hands inside my pants pockets. “I’m starving.”
“There’s a shit ton of paella.” He grins and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s eat while you tell me everything.”
