Page 122 of Owen North


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“We need to talk,” he says, and I know deep in my gut what the outcome of this conversation is going to be.

“You’re pulling your money.”

“Yes. I’m giving you my notice of withdrawal. I’m out next quarter.”

I’ve crunched the numbers enough times over the last few weeks to know we can survive without Ron. I was wrong when I told Jill there weren’t ten more Rons to be found. That was my fear talking, and I’ve come to see that. But still, there’s an ugly feeling that comes with losing your biggest investor. With failing to convince him your company is worth investing in. With failing to carry on the North name like my father expected.

I could ask him to give me twenty-four hours. To have my conversation with Jill about her COO position. Because that’s what he wanted; he wanted her gone. But I’m not going to ask for that time because I don’t know what decision Jill and I will come to today. And also, I refuse to compromise my principles for him.

I nod, my chest growing tighter. “I wish you well wherever you go.”

“That’s it, Owen? You’re not even going to fucking fight for me?”

I work my jaw.Fight for him?What the fuck does he think I’ve been doing all these years with him? “I fought for you every day, Ron. That’s what I do. I give my all, day-in, day-out for my investors. I make sure you get what’s promised, and I make sure you get that above and beyond. I’m in the fucking ring fighting hard every second of every day for you.” I step closer to him, my entire body rigid. “What I won’teverdo is compromise my values to gain. I won’t walk all over someone or walk away from them. If I’m not the kind of man you can believe in, you can take your money today. I won’t make you wait another quarter.”

His lip pulls up in a snarl. “She’s not worth this.”

I square my shoulders. “I might not be married to her anymore, but I care about her more than you care about your own wife. Yes, she made a mistake, but if all we ever looked for in people was perfection, we’d be looking a long fucking time. And as far as money goes, I like making it, but I also like knowing I can sleep at night because I didn’t fuck someone over to do that.” Julian joins us as I say, “Now get the fuck out of my office, Ron. And don’t ever come back.”

“You’re a fucking idiot, Owen,” Ron sneers, contempt plastered across his face. “She’ll ruin you if you let her.”

I’m about to reiterate that I want him out of here when Jill storms in, yelling, “I knew it!” Her wild eyes come to me, and she jabs a finger my way. “I knew you were trying to push me out!”

“Fuck.” I yank at my tie to loosen it. “Jill, calm down, this—”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, Owen! God help you if you ever say those words to me again!”

Ron looks at me like his point has just been proven. “Good fucking luck with this. You’re going to need it.”

Jill stares after him as he strides out of the office.

Julian takes this moment to get a word in. “I’ll leave you two to this.”

Jill’s head whips around and she focuses her attention on him. “No! If you two are planning to get rid of me, I want to know.”

“There’s no plan, Jill,” Julian says.

“I don’t believe that.” I’ve never seen her so enraged. “You two have been slowly pushing me out for a year. Ron sent me a text an hour ago telling me he hoped I wouldn’t miss my office too much after you fired me today, so I know you’re going to use this as your opportunity to get rid of me.”

Jesus.

Jill continues giving Julian a piece of her mind, including every angry thought I think she’s had this year before turning to me and yelling, “Andyou’reseeing someone and falling in love, and it’ll only be a matter of time before I mean even less to you than I already do! I refuse to give up everything I’ve worked so hard for, Owen. I made so many choices for you, gave up so much, and let you take me for granted for too long. I’ll be damned if I don’t make all of that worth it. And—”

“Ron is out!” I yell, needing to gain her attention somehow. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Her mouth slams closed, and she stares at me. “What did you just say?”

I wrench my tie off and throw it on my desk. “I told him he can take his money today. We’re done with him.”

She continues staring at me, speechless for the first time in a long time.

“That’s my cue to leave,” Julian says.

I nod before stalking to the window and gazing out over Manhattan.

My body is filled with a roaring energy.

It’s turbulence like I’ve never known.

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