My Foxy. Little Thunder.
I didn’t plan to run into her the way I did last night. I certainly didn’t plan for my reason to slip from my brain into my pants.
I scan her photo, and the unexpected genius of my reckless actions hits me. I smirk.
If Quinn doesn’t sell, I just pursue her anyway. Ineed her to get to her father and find out what he has on mine. Stepping into Merged was always just the reason to get to her.
Maybe last night wasn’t planned, but it might suit me well in the end.
I turn back to the mirror. Blue or red?
My meeting with Cormac is in half an hour, and I anticipate he will want to know why I am interested in joining him.
I can bullshit my way through the conversation with him. I’m prepared to tell Corm what he wants to hear. Will that be enough?
Isn’t this entire mission built on thin ice? Should I just return to San Francisco and live my life like I used to?
I’ve been plotting my revenge for the past ten years, and the damage I caused along the way isn’t significant enough to satisfy me. To finally forgive myself.
My phone interrupts my strategizing. When I see the caller ID, the reasons for being here become more focused.
“Father,” I say, walking to the window.
“Where are you, William?”
He William-ed me, which means his patience is about to snap.
“Why?” I imagine the vein on his temple swelling.
“Besides the fact that you didn’t show up at work? Yet again? The Locks are coming to have dinner with us tonight. To formalize the engagement.”
Oh, and suddenly there are no frayed edges around my reasons.
There is just clarity.
And rage.
And the absolute refusal to be chained to a future that was never mine.
“I won’t be there.” My voice is flat. Calm. The kind of calm that used to make my father slam doors.
“You will,” he says, steel tightening every syllable. “Victor Lock expects?—”
“I don’t care what he expects.” I drag a hand through my hair, looking away from the window. The ties on the bed stare at me like a dare.
“Liam, be reasonable.” He sighs, the sound full of disappointment. “You were gone for a month again. It’s time you showed up.”
It’s time I showed upfor myself.
“I’m not marrying Tawny Lock. I’m not rescuing your alliance. And I’m not coming home.”
A dangerous pause.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is bigger than you. This is?—”
“Exactly the problem,” I snap.
I never snap. Not with him. I never let him rile me up.
