Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Come again?”
“Your note. You said I never gave you the one thing you wanted. Whatever it is, it’s yours.”
Butterflies go bursting out of me again.
This man.
This wonderful, strong, adorably clueless lunk of a man.
“You really don’t know? Brock, you just gave it to me. And it wasn’t a penguin, as cool as that was,” I giggle, breathing him in.
“I did?” His brows knit together.
“Yes! Just now.”
“But I didn’t give you anything. Just made a big speech.”
I’m laughing again as I kiss him and say, “That speech was everything. I loved it and I love you, Brock.”
He’s about to move in for another kiss, but Jenn comes flying toward us.
“Sorry, guys! But they just arrested Finch and it took me a few minutes to rip myself away from the craziness.” Her eyes flick to me and then Brock. “Um, are you two okay?”
“Never better,” I say sincerely. My eyes never leave Brock’s.
“Sooo, not to interrupt the big victory party but...shouldn’t we reassure everyone in Seattle? I know that’s kinda Keenan’s job, but...”
He nods slowly.
“Good call, Miss Landers. You’ll have a ride home with us this evening on my jet.”
“Oh, good.” She looks at me again. “Will I see you at work Monday, Pippa?”
“No,” Brock answers. “We’ll both be taking a few days off. Sweetheart, do you still work for me?”
I stare at him slowly, biting back a smile. “I guess that’s up to you.”
He shakes his head. “No, ma’am. It was always your choice. If you’re back, though, you’re not starting work until next week.”
I giggle, leaning into him. “Because—”
“Yeah. You’ll be busy as hell.” His mouth takes mine again and leaves me dizzy.
I barely hear Jenn call back a weak, “Behave, you crazies!”
When I look up again, she’s gone, and so is the entire rest of the world.
30
Photo Finish (Brock)
Two Weeks Later
“You’re still going to be named in the lawsuits,” Price, the attorney, says. “But I don’t think you’ll get much for damages, considering the question of who’s responsible.”
That makes no damn sense.
It could be because my brain is still trapped in the last week, where I went home with Piper and practically chained her to my bed. When I wasn’t buried inside her, she was dozing in my arms, finally and forever home.
“If Piper hadn’t caught him and found the evidence, he would have gutted my entire business. Why aren’t we getting damages?” I wonder if I need a new Legal chief.
“Apollo Finch’s net worth was nowhere close to what he claimed, and it’s a criminal matter now. Indemnification will wipe him out. The mountain of suits he’s facing makes yours look like Everest next to a molehill.”
“Seek damages anyway. If he has so much as a rusted out shitbox car, I’m taking it. Assuming he ever gets out on parole...”
“Are you sure that’s how you want to play this, Chief?” Keenan asks. “You’re not usually so—”
“Vindictive? Damn right, I am. If I hadn’t shown up when I did, he would have broken Piper’s arm, maybe worse. If he ever owns anything again, it’s hers.”
Keenan grins. “I thought you said you were taking it.”
I glare at him.
He laughs. “It never gets old.”
Price clears his throat, directing our attention back to him. “Rest assured, Mr. Finch will be facing serious time. Possibly a life sentence. Between the recording Piper got and the confession you pulled out of him on public record, he may well face terrorism charges. Of course, I’ve filed the assault charges for Miss Renee as well.”
I try not to grit my teeth.
The attorney looks at me.
“That shit still rattles me. I should have been there sooner—”
“Boss, you didn’t know she came to lock horns with your archnemesis.” Keenan shrugs. “The girl has guts. But I have to admit, you saved her. You’ve got nothing to cry about except the missing cape.”
I snort, wishing I could muster up the energy to stare him down again.
Price takes the hint, packs up his briefcase, and walks out a minute later.
“How are the reviews coming, anyway?”
“Most of our properties are coming back to life,” Keenan says. “And since we had a proven criminal incident in Seattle, I’ve reached out to the review platforms to remove the one stars related to the oyster meltdown. We’ve got a ways to go, but the influencers are doing their thing. Marketing has this.”
“We’re in good shape then,” I say, almost with a hint of disbelief.
He nods. “We are.”
I look at him. “Is my plan crazy? Be honest.”
“The traveling with Piper for three months part or the working remotely part?”
“The second.”
He laughs. “Well, this place won’t fall apart without you, and I’ll still be here. The vibe on other floors is mostly relief. Plus, they loved the whole romance hero finish in Portland. So, yeah, we’ll be fine. I mean, you’ll still be around yelling at people—just over video. Are you sure you want to go gallivanting off with your girl that long, though?”