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He’d dared me to marry him because he knew I couldn’t say no. I’d tried like hell to get out of it. Because he scared me, and it turned out I’d been right to be afraid.
He didn’t know it, but I’d meant every word I said in that Vegas chapel. And he’d done the one thing I’d promised myself I’d never let happen again.
Easton Carter brought me to my knees.
Chapter Thirty-One
Easton
Thirty-six hours.
That was all it had been since I’d delivered my proposition to Mulaney. I’d been sure after her initial shock, she’d have come to me, eager to take the deal. The part of me she owned fist-pumped every minute those papers remained unsigned.
I opened EXODUS on my laptop to try and find any shred of evidence as to why we’d had to sell. I’d taken to working from the hotel, needing the time and space to get my head straight. It hadn’t taken me long to figure out a piece of my future, but it was still difficult to see the one who didn’t want anything to do with it.
Carter Energy had been my real partner over the years, and though it was all but gone, I had an obligation to find out what happened. Mooning over my soon-to-be ex-wife wouldn’t get it done. Neither was staying away from the office.
* * *
“Hello, Mr. Carter.”
“Hi, Holly.”
She stood from Mulaney’s desk, quickly gathering her things. “I can finish up somewhere else.”
“Why aren’t you in your office?” I knit my brows together. “Is it not suitable?”
Her cheeks turned bright pink. “It’s much more than I need. Your father was looking for a quiet space, so I offered him my office since Miss Jacobs is in a meeting.”
“Dad’s here?”
“Your mother wanted to rest.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I think she didn’t want him hovering.”
My shoulders dropped, certain Holly was right. “Stay as long as you need. I want to speak to him anyway.”
I had almost reached the door when she called my name. “I—” She glanced out the open door and paled. “It can wait.”
I followed her line of sight, but didn’t see anyone there. “You sure?”
“Yes.” She darted her eyes back out into the hallway and leaned on the desk as if she needed support. The color had yet to return to her face, but I didn’t press further.
Whatever she wanted to tell me she’d do in her own time.
I closed the door behind me when I left to go in search of my father.
“Hey, I was thinking we could go out tonight, check out some of the bars around here.” Drew fell in step beside me.
“Can I let you know?” I could use a few drinks, but going on a bar crawl with my brother wasn’t how I needed to deal with my problems.
He hid his disappointment well. “Sure thing,” he said far too brightly as he slapped me on the shoulder. “I gotta run. Text me if you want to meet up later.”
I watched him walk down the path we’d just come from. He hesitated by my office door and turned back around. We flicked chins at each other, and I felt guilty for semi-rejecting his offer, even though we saw each other all the time. It had been a while since we’d had a night out, and we were due, but I had too many other things on my mind.
The second I opened the door to Holly’s office, all guilty thoughts vanished.
Mulaney and my father had their arms twined around each other in an embrace so tight a piece of thread wouldn’t fit between them. Her head was on his shoulder, eyes closed like he was her safe place.
I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep from ripping them apart. The stress ball I grabbed was a slap in the face, yet I squeezed it anyway. Everything I’d denied since Drew made the allegation was right there in the flesh. I hadn’t believed a word of it and still struggled even though it was before my eyes.What the fuck?
