Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“Reid told you about your mother?”
“He didn’t even know until this week. It’s not our war, but you two want to make it our war. You don’t get to pick my enemies.”
“It’s too late. It’s about more than your mother now. We are enemies. He’s your enemy.”
“No. Please don’t do that. The company is safe. I saved it and Reid helped me.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m coming there.”
“Don’t. Don’t come. I won’t be here. I’m going to Asia.” I hang up.
Reid joins me and his hands come down on my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Was it okay that I said I knew? It just kind of came out.”
“Of course. I would have told you to keep it between us if that was necessary, but I still would have told you, Carrie.”
“I know that. We’re not enemies.”
“No. We’re not enemies.”
Chapter sixty-six
Carrie
Reid and I are about to walk into the West office building when he stops me, pulls me to the side, and around the corner into a small alleyway. “Where are you going to say you’re living? Because people are going to find out about your apartment.”
“I—well, where should I say I’m living?”
“With me, Carrie. We’ve nailed a huge opportunity for the stockholders and the staff. We’re living together. That’s not something easy to hide and I don’t want to.”
My hand goes to his chest. “You don’t?”
“No, I don’t. What about you?”
“Me either.”
His eyes warm. “Good. We’ll stay professional, but we won’t hide our relationship either. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
He pulls me to him and kisses me. “Then let’s go up.”
He takes my hand and leads me toward the door, but releases me when we enter the building. And it’s a good thing we just had that conversation because the minute we step off the elevator and into the executive offices, Sallie and Connie, who are both at Sallie’s desk, bombard us. “We heard about your building,” Connie says. “Oh, hon, I’m so sorry.”
“I tried to call you,” Sallie says.
This goes on for a good two minutes, before I say, “My apartment aside, we’ve all but closed on the Japan deal and we’re signing on with Grayson Bennett’s company for more work. So I have to put the apartment thing behind me and dig in.”
Both women show appropriate excitement, and when Sallie’s phone rings, Reid eyes Connie, “I’m expecting a document from my father today. Call his office and check on the status.”
“Oh right. What documents?”
“He’ll know what it is,” Reid says and then looks at me, motioning to my office. “Let’s talk.”
I nod and head that direction. He’s on my heels and shuts the door behind him. I round my desk and set my briefcase, which had thankfully been at Reid’s place during the fire, down. Reid walks to the window and offers me his back. I frown and join him. “What’s up?” I ask.
He turns to face me, or really tower over me. “Our lives are merged now.”
“Yes. They are.”
“Then you need to know something.”
“Okay,” I say cautiously.
“My father tried to make his retirement contract contingent on no West having any personal or professional involvement with a Maxwell.”
“In other words, me moving in with you means he’s not retiring,” I assume.
“It’s more layered than that. Gabe and I came together and gave him papers that officially withdraw us from the firm should he not sign my version of the retirement plan by today.”
I blanch. “Wait. Maxwell and Maxwell would leave Maxwell, Maxell, and Maxwell?”
“Exactly.”
“You can’t leave your firm for me. Reid, no.”
He pulls me to him. “Gabe and I will start over. I’m not against the idea and Gabe and I both have plenty of money and connections to make this work.”
“What about this Japan deal? I assume as CEO, you, and your firm, receive a percentage of this sale. How badly does leaving cut you out of your profits?”
“I’m operating as an extension of the firm, but I’m on the front line and a managing partner. I’ll get a nice payday as will Gabe. He’s a co-managing partner. I have plenty of money, Carrie. You can feel secure with me. I know how much you need to feel that stability.”
I swallow hard, shocked at how well he really does get me, but I don’t want him to feel that motivates me in negative ways. “I feel secure because of you and what we’re becoming, not because of your money.”
“I want you to feel secure and comfortable with me and my money.” He kisses me. “But we have plenty of time to talk about that. I need to run to the office and meet with Gabe. Call me when you know anything about Japan.”
“Yes. Of course, I will.”
He caresses my cheek. “See you soon.”
He walks toward the door and my cellphone rings at my desk. “Leave it open, please,” I call after him as I race to answer my phone.