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“Fuck you, B,” he grouses.
I chuckle, the momentary levity giving me a chance to breathe for the first time since I stepped into my office. “Why did you call, Romeo?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
This makes me cough out another laugh. “And you started off by telling me to fuck myself?”
“No, I started off asking about Harlow, the woman you’re apparently deliriously in love with.”
I smirk, though I refrain from laughing again. I think I’m starting to understand the joy Harlow gets from messing with me. The thought of never having her in my arms again sobers me up real quick.
“Please, continue.”
“I was thinking about getting a large villa just outside the city. An oasis, if you will. As my real estate agent, do you have anything available?”
“Let me check.”
Romeo and I have a code. While I absolutely keep my business above bored, I still help Romeo out if he needs properties for various things. In this case, he’s not looking for a villa. He needs a safe house, and not on the outskirts of town. What Romeo wants is a discrete studio or one-bedroom close to the Hudson River, where his men control the territory.
“I’ve got a few options,” I tell him. “I’ll text you the addresses, and you can tell me when you’d like to set up a showing.” AKA when should I meet you there with the key?
“It will likely be in the next few days.”
“That soon?” Romeo is usually a little more prepared than that.
“You’re not the only one with girl troubles,” he says under his breath. Before I can jump all over that statement, he changes the subject. “But back to you. The solution isn’t complicated; it’s just messy.” He’s using his commanding Don voice, which, I’ll admit, makes me straighten my back and square my shoulders. “You’re the CEO of your own fucking company, right? Get her address from HR, track her down, and make her listen to you.”
“That sounds a bit obsessive.”
“It sounds like a man who fights for what he wants. Are you not obsessed with this Harlow?”
He has a point. I’ve already broken every other rule; what’s one more if it can undo all the damage our families have done?
“You’re right,” I concede.
“I usually am.” I can just picture his smug smile.
“You have enough people kissing your ass; you don’t need me to join in,” I say. Romeo chuckles dryly before saying his goodbyes.
“Send me an invite to the wedding, B.”
“Same to you. Maybe we can make it a double wedding.”
“Fuck you,” he grunts, making me laugh.
Romeo hangs up, and I roll out the tension from my neck and shoulders. Step one, get Harlow’s address from HR. Step two, tell her I love her and beg her to trust me.
CHAPTERTEN
HARLOW
Ibarely make it inside my apartment before bursting into tears. Slumping against the closed door, I slide down until I hit the cold floor with a thud. Burying my head in my hands, I let the grief swallow me whole.
When I’m all cried out, I pick myself up off the floor and stumble my way into the small bathroom of my studio apartment. I turn on the shower letting the steam fill the tiny room as I strip down. The water stings slightly from the heat, but it feels good in a way.
Half an hour later, I’m curled up in bed with four blankets wrapped around me. I’m somehow still cold and hollow.
What am I going to do now? I should probably be more devastated about my father cutting me off, but honestly, when I think about not being under his scrutiny, I feel a weight lifting off my chest. I didn’t realize my family's grip over my life and my perception of myself until, ironically, my dad gave me permission to let go.
