It doesn't take me long to walk the two blocks around the office to make sure I get a shot of my favorite sub place on the way. The owners are an older Italian couple that make the best food.
Entering the lobby of my old office, I walk up to the reception desk.
“Hi, can I speak to Nolan, please?” I ask Miranda, the secretary that has been here since I started and is now pretending she doesn’t recognize me. Even after five years of trying to get me to take her out, now she pretends I don’t exist.
“I’m sorry, he’s in a meeting and unavailable.” She doesn’t even look at me.
“That’s bullshit and I know it. I can see him through that window. He’s looking right at me.” That gets her attention and her head whips up to look at me before turning to confirm that he is, in fact, right there.
“I’m sorry. His schedule is marked as unavailable.” She says curtly, turning back to her screen.
“Miranda.” I say her name quietly. “I know you’re not looking at me on purpose. And I know you’re lying to me. So either you can get him, or I’m going to get him. And we both know you don’t want the latter.” I smile sweetly like I didn’t just threaten her.
“You can’t—” She’s cut off by the glass door opening behind her.
“Cooper Keaton. What a surprise, although not a pleasant one entirely.” Nolan strides out toward me.
“I wouldn’t say so. Can we talk in your office?”
“That’s not necessary. Right here is fine.” He crosses his arms, standing behind the large granite desk, making hitting him a little harder.
“Are you sure you want all this aired out here in the public? We both know what I have, and we both know you wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.” I threaten once again.
“You have nothing, Cooper.” His sly smirk makes me want to slap him hard enough to wipe it off.
“Okay, then. How about you stop threatening my girl with creepy ass photos being sent to her house? I know you’re behind it. I know it’s you. I don’t know how you got those photos, but I will prove it, and you will be served. I won’t tolerate the harassment. You want to be a dick and threaten me, go ahead. But leave her and her daughter out of this shit.”
“I didn’t take or deliver photos. I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.” His bullshit smiles grow wider, and I know he’s lying. He’s a slimy asshole and I don’t fucking trust him.
I step forward, leaning in to whisper so only he hears me. “I’ll fucking prove it. So back. The. Fuck. Off.”
“You’ll never win, Cooper. I know how to cover my tracks.” he whispers back. “I have the upper hand, not you.”
That does it. Lunging out, I grab him by the collar, my arm pulled back ready to strike until a hand touches my shoulder.
“Cooper, don’t. He hit the security button. They’re coming.” Miranda finally snaps out of whatever bullshit she was under earlier pretending not to know who I am.
I let him go. “You better back the fuck off. I’m not joking. I don’t think Tim would appreciate what you’ve been doing behind his back to the contracts.”
Turning around, I see security walking down the hallway. Throwing my hands in the air to show defeat, I walk out of the building. More pissed off than I was when I got here. Fuck him. All this visit has done is reinvigorate my need to take him down.
Me:Dig into Nolan. Deep. I want him to fucking burn.
Wyatt:On it. I might have already started and gotten some leads. But tell me you didn’t do something stupid.
Me:Never. I just paid him a little visit. Got a recording for you of him telling me that he covers his tracks. So I know he’s behind it.
Wyatt:Do you need bail money?
Me:Would I have my phone if I was arrested? I thought you were a cop.
Wyatt:Just sayin’. If you go back I wouldn’t blame you and I’d totally bail you out.
Me:Thanks for the support.
Two blocks goes a lot faster when you’re pissed off. I’m in my truck and on the highway before I come out of whatever blackout I was in from my anger. My grip on the steering wheel is causing white knuckles and my face is heated.
Fuck Nolan.
