“Can’t. He’s out for the day.”
I scoffed. The coward probably called in after pulling what he did last night.
“Well, with any luck. I’ll be able to fire his ass for insubordination or something soon. I’m sick of this bullshit.”
Carter looked at me like I had just spoken the gospel. “You and me both.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” I said, voice low.
He nodded and walked out.
I didn’t move after Carter left.
Vince, you motherfucker.
He told her because he wants her. I bet that was the only reason, and it made my blood boil. I ran a hand down my face, trying to temper the heat rising in my chest. Of course, Vincent was the one who told her. Of course, he waited until I wasn’t there, until Carmen was drunk and alone. And of course—of course—he probably wrapped it up as if he was doing the right thing.
There were rules in business. And even stricter rules in war. You didn’t attack someone’s home. You didn’t touch the people they loved.
I slammed my palm down on the desk. Hard.
The few people lingering outside my office looked in, startled. I didn’t care.
Let them look. Let them speculate. They already were.
I’d handed them all a front-row seat to my humiliation.
And the worst part? None of them were wrong.
Ihadmade a mistake.
I should have told her about the receptionist the moment it happened. Not because I was guilty, but because I knew deep down, I’d buried it out of fear. I’d been afraid of how it would sound, how she’d look at me, how it might taint the image I’d carefully built between us.
But I decided to keep it a secret, and secretshurt.
And the moment someone else holds them, they become weapons for those people to use against the ones you’re supposed to protect.
Everyone knew. You had me walking into that office like an idiot when everyone knew. You embarrassed me. And you knew how I feel about being embarrassed.
That’s what she said. That’s what broke her.
I could survive her anger. I could survive her silence.
But her humiliation? Hershame?
That was what I couldn’t bear.
I’ll deal with Vince later.
I packed my things in silence, already dialing the hotel as I shrugged on my coat.
“Please let everyone know I’ll be gone for the rest of the day,” I said to my assistant as I reached the door. “Possibly tomorrow as well.”
She gave a quick nod. “Noted.”
The call connected as I stepped into the elevator.
“Thank you for calling—”
