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“He wasn’t destroying our company.” I squeeze Jay’s hand and look into his eyes. “He was fighting forhisfamily.”
“Yeah,” Cash scoffs. “He’ll always put Hanson Liquors first. That’s the point, Cat.”
I turn to my brother, my heart pounding out of my chest. “No.Iam his family.Chloeis his family. He was fighting for us. And it’s time for me to return the favor. Do whatever you want with your new company, but I’ll be working with Jay to fix the mess you’ve created. We’re continuing forward with James/Hanson Whiskey. You want to destroy it? I’ll build it back up piece by piece, and it’ll be even better than before.”
Jay peers down at me in surprise, his mouth slightly ajar.
“You were right, baby,” I whisper to him, no longer caring about the audience before us. “You aren’t the villain. Apparently, that role is dependent on who narrates the story. Now everyone will know the truth.”
“I don’t need anyone else to know, Kitten. Only you.”
Jay looks at me with such love in his eyes, I can actually feel it warming me and giving me the strength to do what I just promised. I tug him up as I stand. “Now we leave,” I whisper with a smile.
From: [email protected]
September 20, 2023
Subject: Dinner
I’m going to be late again. Can you feed Chloe?
From: [email protected]
September 20, 2023
Subject: Re: Dinner
Wife,
Please come home. You’re running yourself ragged.
I love you and I’m worried.
Still head over heels in love with you,
Your husband
70
UNSTEADY BY X AMBASSADORS
Cat
Iswipe the tears from my face and pull up the next article waiting for my approval. It’s been months since the explosion. Since my life changed so drastically. And I’m barely hanging on. The only bright spots in my life are Jay and Chloe. Even the magazine is a chore these days. I never imagined I could walk into this building feeling resentment. But every time someone asks for my opinion, I want to screamcan’t you figure it out yourself?
Night and day, I’ve been working to dig Hanson Liquors out of the debt my family put them in. Garreth and Hayden swear my family’s deception barely made a dent in their portfolio, but I can’t shake the guilt.
I learned a lot about the liquor industry and had some really great ideas before Cash drove James Liquors into the ground. Or so I thought. And I assumed Jay and I would work our magic there like we did atJolie.
Instead, Jay shows virtually no interest in the liquor business and is constantly hovering over me, encouraging me to give up.
Doesn’t he know me? Those words don’t exist in my vocabulary.
“Hey, you’re here late again,” Sophie says as she taps on my door wearing a worried expression.
