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Ryan’s contract is the one I worked on last weekend and I’m pissed off that he’s said I fucked it up.“My work on that contract was perfect,” I say fiercely.There’s no way I’m accepting this.
“I know.”
I push my shoulders back as my chest rises and falls with determination.“I fucking mean it, Hayden.I’ve worked hard to get where I am.I won’t have gossip ruin that, ruin me, or ruin you!”I have never been this angry in my entire life.Every inch of my skin is crawling with fury.If Penelope Rush was standing in front of me, I think I’d actually punch her.
“Liv.”He comes to me and places his hands on my shoulders.“I know your work was perfect.I checked over it myself.”
“What?Why would you do that?”That contract was complicated and lengthy.It would have taken him hours to go through it.
“It wasn’t to check up on you.I suspected Ryan might pull something like this.”
I release the air filling my lungs.Hayden was protecting me.I should have known he would be.He and his brothers have been protecting me for decades and I have all the feels about that.“Thank you.And god, I’m sorry that my personal life has affected the firm in this way.”
He shakes his head.“This has nothing to do with your personal life.”
I arch my brows.“Did you see those photos of Callan and me posted?”
“Trust me, this may look like it’s about you, but the entire situation is because of me.”He exhales a long breath.“Ryan and I go back.There’s bad blood there that I thought had been resolved.It’s reared its ugly head again and you were caught in the crossfire.”
“Okay, but you should know that Penelope Rush may have caused some of this too, so some of this may be on me.”
He looks at me questioningly.“How does Penelope figure in this?”
“It’s a long story that involves many people, but the crux of it is that she wants me out of Callan’s life.She’s also tied up in the whole Mace Hawkins saga and wasn’t pleased when I stepped in the middle of all that.It’s a mess and she’s using social media to come after me.”
“Jesus.We need to pay you more.”
I laugh, grateful for the release of some tension from my body.“So, yeah, it may not all be on Ryan.”
Hayden’s expression turns somber.“The bad blood between us involves his wife.I think it’s safe to say he’s gunning for me.”
I blink.
In no scenario, would I have expected Hayden to utter those words.
“I won’t allow him to get away with what he’s doing to you,” he says while I’m still staring at him in shock.
I just can’t imagine Hayden being tied up in a situation like he just described.But then, he also rarely gets worked up like he is.And issuing threats isn’t the norm for him either.It makes me wonder what’s hiding under that indomitable, steadfast face he shows the world.
His cell phone rings and after he checks caller ID, he answers the call on speaker.“Callan.”
Callan’s angry voice fills the office.“Your fucking clients aren’t going to know what’s hit them, Hayden.Not once I’m finished with them.This bullshit they’re throwing at Olivia needs to end.”
“I agree.I’m—”
“I’m not messing around here.I watched her waste her time last weekend for that asshole and I know how hard this week has been for her while dealing with other clients who’ve jerked her around.She’s the fucking best at what she does and I won’t have anyone damage her career.”
“Callan—”
Callan cuts him off again.“Where do these guys—”
“Callan,” I say.
Silence fills the office for a moment before he says, “Liv.”He’s wound tight.“Are you okay?”
I’m only kind of okay but I don’t want to worry him.“I’m okay.”
“You’re not.I can hear it in your voice.”
