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“Is this about your back? We can expense the best physical therapist in the city. Get Sandra on it. Whatever you need.”
“It’s not about my back.” He walks to the window. “At least, not entirely. My back started the wheels turning, but it’s more than that.”
“What is it? The girl?”
His eyes flash at me, but I lower my brow. “You did what you had to do, Taron.”
“Yeah. Marines killing little kids. What a fucking cliché I am.”
“That is not what happened.” My voice is sharp. I will not let him rewrite history this way or torture himself for doing his duty. “That young woman would have cut your head off if you hadn’t done what you did. She would’ve killed Marley and possibly wounded Sawyer.”
“Maybe.”
“Have you forgotten how we found him? What they did? She was in on it.”
“Or she was kidnapped just like him. She could’ve been left there, confused and afraid.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re right. I don’t.” He picks up the photo of us again, like he always does in my office, as if holding it has the power to send us back in time, to right past wrongs. “What I do know is I need to get away from this place.”
“From me?”
“From Marley. I can’t watch him spiraling. I can’t pretend like it doesn’t bother me, like it doesn’t make me want to…” He puts the photo down and goes to the door. “Sawyer needs help. It’s honest, hard work. I’m going to see if I can find peace. I’m sorry, Patton.”
“Sawyer needs help. You’re leaving me short-handed in the middle of our expansion.”
“Raquel is more than capable of helping you. Jerry’s in LA… You got this.” He pauses at the door, looking down. “You don’t need me, brother. And I need to go.”
He’s out the door, and I collapse into my chair. I want Taron to be happy. I don’t want to force him to stay somewhere that makes him miserable. But damn, it feels like a kick in the gut for him to leave.
23
Raquel
“Something happened.” Sandra is in my office, sitting on the corner of my desk and grinning like she had a hidden camera in Pigeon Forge. “Patton looks like he just got back from some kind of spiritual oasis.”
“As if Patton would go to a spiritual oasis.” The very thought makes me want to laugh.
“He was smiling.” She leans forward. “Smiling!”
I dig in the new banker’s box I just inherited from Taron. He stopped in this morning to say it was his last day. I had a small panic attack, but he was strangely calm. He said I did such a great job communicating with Hastings & Key and supporting him last week with Abu Dhabi, he was passing all his files to me. He vaguely mentioned having something else lined up, but he didn’t elaborate. I didn’t feel right pressing for details.
Long story short, I guess I’m the new Taron in the office.
The door to Patton’s office opens, and my stomach tightens. My insides buzz in anticipation of seeing him again, but only Taron walks out. My shoulders fall, and I return again to the banker’s box.
Sandra laughs, looking from me to Taron. “Are you disappointed?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Shaking my head, I keep my eyes fixed on my work, even while my cheeks grow hotter.
A light tap on the door draws my attention. Taron’s there, and I can’t help thinking he’s such a handsome man, I’m sure he’ll land on his feet wherever he goes. “Sorry to interrupt…”
He steps inside, and I stop what I’m doing. “It’s okay. I was just looking through the new files.”
“I know it feels like a lot all at once, but it’s really all maintenance. You can call me if you have any questions or if you need a sounding board.” He glances over his shoulder. “I know Patton isn’t always the most approachable.”
A relieved smile breaks across my face. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He pats my arm and heads for the door. “Good luck with… your future endeavors.”
