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Sitting at his table, he opened his laptop and typed up his resignation. Once done, he saved to his file and then printed.
At the printer, he signed the letter and strode back to Markin’s office. He knocked, and his boss motioned him to enter. Grey walked to the desk and held it out.
“Sit,” Markin ordered, eyeing the letter with distaste.
“Nothing left to say,” Grey replied.
“I said sit down, agent!” Markin snapped, and Grey obeyed. No point pissing Markin off and making shit awkward for Willow. After all, he was giving up his career for her.
Markin glared at Grey across the table.
“This isn’t what I wanted, son.”
“Yeah. But it’s the only choice I have open. I won’t be far from Willow and only visit each other once or twice a year. And I won’t step down because, as you stated, that’s a slap in the face to my skill set.”
“What have you got planned?” Markin asked.
Grey recognised the fact that Markin knew he had a plan in place already. “I’m going to join Hawthorne’s PI. They can use my skills, and I will have a variety of cases there like I do here.”
“Don’t like this,” Markin muttered and eyed Grey balefully. “Is this your attempt to force my hand? Make it so you stay and hide the fact you’re breaking the rules?”
“Fuck no!” Grey exclaimed, shocked Markin would even think that.
“Sure on that?”
“Yes, sir! Look, you know we’re in a relationship. What you didn’t take into account is how much I love her. I’d give up everything to ensure Willow’s happiness. Willow wants promotions. I’m content at the level I’m at. If it’s a choice between Willow’s needs and mine, she wins each time.
“I am not gonna be forced away from her, not even on a temporary basis. If there’d been something open locally, one state over, not a problem. However, none of the options you provided are feasible for me. I’ll miss the fuck out of this place and the people, but I don’t regret leaving if Willow gets what she wants,” Grey said, and Markin snorted.
“You’re too good a man. The number of cases you’ve solved and the input into others has been invaluable. I’m going to ask you to reconsider because you would be at a loss,” Markin replied.
“My mind won’t change.” Grey shook his head. “And you got to admit, boss, this makes sense. Willow has potential, but I’m not interested in promotion. I can perform the exact same job at Hawthorne’s as here. The only other option is the RCPD. Keeps me with a badge, but the money’s crap, as you are aware. Hawthorne pays well and offers me the chance to use my skills and gives me freedom to pick my cases,” Grey stated.
Markin snorted again. “You already choose your cases here, and you know it. You’re leaving on good terms, Grey; if you change your mind and want to rejoin, I can put in a word.”
“Appreciate that, sir, but in truth, Willow won’t leave RC while her father’s alive. And I hope Axel lives a lot more years. I’m not prepared to place my relationship on hold for that long. Which is what would happen because I’d be twenty hours away. This is my decision, and it’s made. This isn’t about throwing a tantrum or trying to force your hand, but what’s best for Willow.
“I want to marry her, sir, buy a house, and settle down with a family. Sooner or later one of us would have had to decide to leave because we want children. Hawthorne’s will give me the flexibility to work around them. It means Willow can surge ahead while I look after the kids. Living that dream ain’t no hardship,” Grey replied with a smile.
“Damn, Grey. I’m going to miss your solve rate,” Markin said with a chuckle.
“Oh, I know!” Grey agreed.
Markin held out his hand, and Grey handed him the resignation letter.
“Meant what I said. You want to return, I’ll take up for you.”
“That means a lot, sir. But HR are gonna hate me when they have to back pay all the holiday leave I’ve not taken.” Grey chuckled as Markin made a face.
That would be a nice severance bonus, Grey thought. And one he could spend on taking Willow somewhere beautiful to propose. He’d had the ring for some time. Grey just needed Axel’s permission, and then it would be ‘operation engagement.’
Grey walked out of Markin’s office, feeling much freer than he had done for a while. He and Willow had got away with murder for years, and Grey accepted it was time to pay the piper. He didn’t resent being the one to step down, but he knew Willow would blow her stack tonight.
Markin would not make the announcement. He’d leave that for Grey to do. And Grey wouldn’t be announcing it where Willow would be caught unaware, and her emotions and temper were likely to explode.
He captured her eyes across the room and sent her another reassuring smile. But Willow remained grim-faced. Damn his woman, she already knew something was wrong.
Chapter Two.
