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“Gimme my towel and a minute to dry off,” he said, snagging one.
“Should we move out of the way?” Avery asked, observing the line of waiting shower users glaring their way.
Medjul pulled the remaining towels from his hands and pushed him into the spot he’d just vacated.“Fuckthem. Shower. Before it gets too cold.”
The men in line grumbled and raised hell, putting Avery in an awkward situation.
“Don’t listen to them,” Ash said from the shower next door. “Wash your ass and get out of there fast.”
Avery turned on the water and looked around. “I forgot the body wash in the locker.”
“Well, that’s gone,” Medjul said, reaching for a bottle of his own. “Hold out your hand.”
Avery cupped his palm.
“You need to get smarter in here, College Boy,” Medjul murmured. “Or you’re not going to last very long.”
“Hopefully I won’thaveto last too long.”
Medjul met his stare. “Wishful thinking. It’s better if you prepare for the reality of what’s to come. You’re not getting out of here any time soon.”
Avery stepped under the spray, Medjul’s words ringing in his ears and his stomach growing weaker. Before he was done, he leaned over and retched… then watched as the water washed it down the drain.
Iamgetting out of here. Ihaveto.
* * *
Early the next morning,Wilder searched his files, seeking the folder with his reports on the Green Trust. In the midst of everything happening, he’d finally gotten the meeting of a lifetime yet was nowhere near being prepared considering what was going on. He couldn’t lose an opportunity to move the company forward, not with the board breathing down his neck.
He had to get his head on straight and make it work—or else he just might not have his seat for much longer. Plus, he’d need the income so he could use it for the legal battles in their future. The meetinghadto go smoothly.
He paused, scrubbing a hand over his face.Shit… did I even shave before I left the house?
Wilder reached into his desk for the spare electric razor he stored there and marched into the connected bathroom to give himself a quick buzz. Staring at his reflection, he noticed the dark rings under his eyes. The lifeless glint in them. He was in no shape to go to the biggest meeting of his professional life up to that point. With more force than intended, he tossed the razor into the sink when he was done. A few pieces blew apart, cracking the outer shell. The batteries circled around the bottom from the force.
Another glance in the mirror told him all he needed to know.
You’re gonna fuck this up.
After a shake to his head, he returned to his desk and renewed his search.
A quiet knock came to his door. Wilder assumed it was his assistant. “Come.” His head down, searching, he asked, “Do you have any idea where my Green Trust file is?”
“Right here.”
Wilder’s head flipped up at the sound of his brother’s voice. Vaughn held the file aloft.
He circled his desk and stormed over, anger filling his veins. “Why the hell do you have it?”
Instead of answering, Vaughn asked a question of his own. “Where were you yesterday afternoon?”
“I was working on a personal matter.” In truth, he’d slipped out to meet an old college buddy—and current judge. Not in family court, sadly, and he didn’t hear anything from his friend that could help Avery.
“Helping Abraham?” Vaughn was silent a moment, looking thoughtful when Wilder didn’t answer. “Is that even his name?”
Wilder opened the file. “I don’t have time for this this morning.”
“I think I have a right to know some information about my employee—one who was heading a very important investigation for us.”
