Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 50840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
This world isn't kind to the people it sees as broken. Even now, the stigma around mental health hasn't gone away. People talk about depression and anxiety. But the more complex stuff like schizophrenia? Those still scare the hell out of us, so much so that we've convinced ourselves that they only happen to broken people. It's more palatable that way, less terrifying. We aren't at risk if the big, scary diseases only happen to people who are fundamentally broken.
We live in a bubble of comforting lies because the truth is overwhelming. And people like Lauren pay for our ignorance.
I may not know what it's like to be in her shoes. But I do know what it's like to suffer because people prefer the comforting lie over the hard truth. Been there, done that. It's why people like my father stay in power despite their sins and excesses. The lie is easier.
"Ninety thousand," Logan says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Think that's fair or should we push for more?" Lauren asks me.
I turn wide eyes on Logan. "Ninety thousand?"
"One hundred thousand?" He scratches his chin. "Name your price, angel."
"Are you… Have you…" I gape at him, spluttering. Is he seriously offering to pay me whatever I want?
"One hundred and fifty thousand," Lauren hurries to say.
"Done." Logan doesn't even bat a lash. He doesn't blanch or squirm. He just freaking agrees like it makes no difference to him, his eyes locked on my face. We might as well be discussing the weather or the state of the frigging union for all the concern he shows.
"And she gets health insurance, a 401K, and all the fancy stuff."
"Obviously," he says dryly.
"Perfect." Lauren beams at her brother. "Then my job here is done." She bends, scooping up a bag from the floor. "I need to run. Roland will be home soon."
"Here," Logan murmurs, sliding his nephew out of her arms. The baby whines before nuzzling up against his chest with a soft grunt. Logan cradles his head carefully before tugging the diaper bag out of Lauren's hands. "I'll carry him out for you."
"Fine," Lauren grumbles. "But only because he's going to wake up and go into ninja mode as soon as I try to put him in the car seat. He can bite you for once instead of me." She turns to me, smiling. "It was really great to meet you, Peyton. I can't wait to get to know you better. Please harass Logan as often as possible."
"I'll do that," I promise. "It was great to meet you too."
"I'll be right back, baby," Logan murmurs, reaching out to stroke my arm as he and Lauren stride past me out the door.
I watch them go and then stumble into the living room, sinking onto the sofa. For a long moment, I just stare blankly at the wall across from me. Is he seriously going to pay me that much money just to organize his life? How much help could he possibly need?
I feel him standing behind me a few minutes later, watching me.
"You cannot pay me one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year, Logan," I mutter, not even turning around. "That's highway robbery."
"How much is your time worth, angel?"
"What?"
"How much is your time worth to you?" he asks, striding around the side of the sectional. "Fifty thousand? Sixty?"
"I don't know."
"Contrary to what you may think, I actually did look at your resume. I saw your references. Your previous employers all loved you, said you were highly organized, efficient, and instrumental in keeping their companies running." He kneels in front of me. "Don't undervalue yourself, especially not to me. If you can keep me functioning, you're worth every goddamn penny."
"I need a nap," I mutter, grinding my palms against my eyes. "And alcohol. Probably something else too but I don't even know what. There's no way I can deal with this right now. I'm too something to deal with this."
"Too something?" he asks, a smirk in his voice.
I shoot him a death glare.
"You know what else is worth it?" His eyes tangle with mine. "Knowing that you're being taken care of the way you should be. Knowing that, even when you're pissed at me, you're eating well, sleeping well, and not worrying about whether you'll be able to pay your bills."
"You cannot pay me one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year just because you like me, Logan!" I cry.
"I'm not. I'm paying you a hundred and fifty grand because you're worth every penny. And it just so happens to come with a few perks for me." His lips kick up into a proud little boy grin. "It's a win-win."
"Yeah, until Montaque finds out that you're paying me," I retort. "And then the story changes. Guess what they say about me then?"
His expression turns black. "He isn't the only one who can ruin careers, Peyton. I'll fucking destroy anyone who even suggests that I'm paying you to sleep with me."