Page 108 of Crimson Love

“Looks like I’m right on time to get in on the good stuff,” Payne says. “I’m not about to let Mr. Bigshot hog all the drama on his own.”

“Hogging drama,” Lennon echoes as she rolls her eyes. “You can have it all. Nothing would make me happier than to lead a long, boring life for the rest of time. And no offense, Payne, but that means I’d never need your services again.”

Payne scoffs, “Where’s the fun in that? I’ll tuck that away for another time. For now, it seems you can’t get through a day without me.”

Lennon looks up at me. “What time is the board meeting?”

“Right after lunch. I can’t wait. If Warner isn’t in cuffs before then, I’ll have the honor of casting the tie-breaking vote to kill his plan.”

Patrick gets up and moves to the door. “Speaking of the meeting, we need to get back. I’m conferencing with a couple of the board members who oppose Warner before the vote. They want to make sure we’re on the same page. They have no clue what’s been going on. We’ve kept the tainted gift basket under wraps. We’ll let Warner assume he has the upper hand.”

Lennon must sense that I have no desire to leave because she yanks at my sleeve to get my attention. “It’s okay. You’ve been here all night. You can’t show up for your big vote without a shower wearing yesterday’s clothes. Devon and Dean are on their way.”

I shake my head. “I hate to leave you alone when your dad still hasn’t been found.”

Payne holds his arms out. “What the hell do I look like? I may not be retired army or a secret agent, but I am more than willing to kick someone’s ass, and not just in the courtroom. Besides, she is my client. I won’t let anyone fuck with her. Go take a shower and do your hair.”

“For fuck’s sake, I don’t have to do my hair.” Even so, I stand and stretch. Sleeping in a hospital chair that might as well be a straight board isn’t good on the back.

“I do have to do my hair, which means I have to go,” Harlow says. She comes over and gives Lennon a little hug. “I’ll see you later this afternoon. I’m so grateful you’re okay.”

Lennon laughs, proving she’s as resilient as she is brave. “Not as grateful as I am.”

I do not laugh and lean down to kiss her goodbye. “The guilt will gnaw at me for the rest of my life. I’m tired of being lucky. I’m ready to move on, start our life, and not look back.”

Her smile shrinks into a content expression. She grips my shirt at the neck and pulls me closer. “If you can make that happen, you’ll make all my dreams come true.”

I press my lips to hers once more. “I’ll die making that happen. And you know me, so you know I do not say that lightly.”

“This is just great,” Payne drawls. “Someone pass the popcorn. This love story in the making has me in a chokehold. I need to know that you kids are going to make it.”

I ignore him and focus on Lennon. “I’ll see you after the meeting.”

She licks her lips like she’s itching to say more. I know I am. It’s too fast and too soon.

But cheating death has a way of catapulting you through unnecessary stages. When you know, you know.

Things need to be said and discussed and agreed upon.

That’s for another time. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

All I know is it needs to happen soon.

I kiss her one more time before I force myself to leave.

Harlow beams at me. “I’d say this is the best thing that has happened since I met Devon the night before I canceled my wedding to the rat bastard, but so many good things have happened since then. Let’s get this meeting over with. I’m not sure why you want to learn the ins and outs of Stonebridge, because I sure don’t.”

I turn back to Lennon one more time. “I’ll see you soon.”

And with no sleep and emotions that have been manhandled like I’m back in bootcamp, I’m off to fuck up Lex Warner’s day—and if all goes well, his life. Something I very much look forward to doing.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

VINDICTIVE AS FUCK

Jett

H e has the nerve to sit at the head of the conference table. Even though I’ve yet to visit Stonebridge headquarters in person, I have a feeling he’s in Patrick’s spot.