Page 6 of I’m Already Gone

“Four security guards resigned.”

His jaw went slack. “Four? All in one day?”

“Try within hours,” I corrected, watching his expression harden.

“Which client?” he asked.

“Vaultix.”

Marcus didn’t bother to close his mouth. “Why?”

I pushed my hand through my hair and blew out a breath. “Inconvenient and long hours, burnout, not enough pay and benefits, and, as one of them so eloquently put it, ‘working for a grade-A prick.’”

I didn’t need to elaborate on Calvin J. Fox. The self-proclaimed visionary behind Vaultix, a tech-finance company with over 30 million in assets, had been a pain in our asses for the past year due to his revolving door of security personnel. He expected round-the-clock availability, little to no notice for changes, and he had a complete disregard for anything resembling a work-life balance.

Marcus finally snapped his mouth shut. “What’s the plan? Do you want to initiate the investigation process, or do we just terminate the contract outright?”

“Since this is the first formal complaint we’ve received, we will investigate and verify the allegations. Once we have our findings, depending on the severity of the claims, we issue a formal warning to Mr. Fox.”

“Meaning?” Marcus pressed, leaning forward slightly.

“Meaning if any type of abuse, harassment, or systemic exploitation is sustained and confirmed,” I clarified, “we terminate the contract immediately.”

Marcus nodded slowly. “I concur.”

“For now, we’ll remove the involved guards and interview them until the investigation is completed,” I added.

“Sounds like a plan,” Marcus stated, rising to his feet and buttoning his suit jacket. “I’ll get working on hiring the replacement guards.”

He strode towards the door. As he pulled it open, he paused, looking back over his shoulder. A weary smile touched his lips. “Looks like it’s going to be another long night, brother,” he added before walking out of the room.

I dropped my head against the headrest, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. An investigation of this magnitude wasn’t a quick fix. It could take weeks, even months. We’d have to go through each complaint, gather initial documents, and schedule interviews with every bodyguard involved, and any potential witnesses. Reviewing emails, text messages, surveillance videos... the list was daunting.

Lily and the kids were going to kill me. I would have to break another promise to my family.

Lily was the kind of woman any man on earth would give anything for, but somehow, it seems like my primary concern was ensuring she was financially secure and providing my family with everything my parents were unable to offer me.

I reached for my phone and started to shoot a text to Lily, letting her know I wouldn’t be able to make it tonight.

How many more of these hollow words did I have left to offer?

And how many more times would Lily forgive me?

“Hey.”

I looked up from the report on my desk and saw Emma framed in the doorway. Her long, dark, golden-blonde hair was draped over one shoulder. Her emerald eyes met mine, and a soft smile graced her lips.

“Hey,” I responded. “What are you still doing here?”

“I thought you could use some dinner,” she announced, holding up a brown paper bag from the artisanal sandwich shop down the street.

A genuine smile formed on my lips. “You’re my savior.”

She walked in with an almost languid sway to her hips and drifted toward the round table nestled in the corner of my office.

I pushed myself up from my chair, my fingers absently smoothing down my tie.

She unpacked the bag, laying out the contents on the table. She handed me my food first, her fingers brushing mine.