I stood there,fuming, among a million other emotions, as Lorcan did the introductions.
“Gage Evans, I’d like you to meet Mystic Anderson,” he said, completely unaware of the fire shooting out of my eyes and the wariness in her still fucking beautiful brown eyes. “Ms. Anderson, I’d like you to meet Gage Evans of Stymic Financial Holdings.”
Neither of us spoked. Not sure why Mystic was mute, but I kept my mouth shut and my hand from stretching out in a handshake just to torture her. It was that or grab her by her fucking hair and drag her out of the building, demanding answers and handing over a punishment that spanned ten fucking years.
Lorcan didn’t make it to where he was by being a stupid man, so when neither of us made a move to shake hands, he immediately picked up on the awkwardness. He glanced at Mystic and then me, and since we were behind closed doors, he felt comfortable shedding his professionalism.
Looking at me, he said, “What the hell’s going on?”
My lip curled up into a snarl of its own accord. “We’ve met,” I bit out. “As a matter of fact, we went to high school together.”
Two seconds was all it took for Lorcan to connect the dots, and not that he owed me an explanation, but he said, “I didn’t know, man.”
Mystic stood there, pale and trembling, but I didn’t give a fuck. She hadn’t cared how bailing on me, all those years ago, had made me feel, so I couldn’t give two fucks if she were uncomfortable now. But most of all, Ihatedthat she had aged well. I was bitter enough to have hoped that she had been run into the ground, but of course, no such luck. Mystic was still as fucking beautiful as ever. Worse? Those curves I had abused when we were kids matured right along with the rest of her, and she looked like a goddamn hourglass in her professional blouse and skirt.
A fucking skirt I wanted to rip off her at the same time as I wanted to wrap my hands around her neck and watch her life fade out right before my eyes.
I watched as Mystic turned to Lorcan and said, “It’s possible Mr. Evans might prefer to work with someone else, Mr. Cavanaugh. Perhaps there’s another project you can put me on to…uh, showcase my abilities.” Mystic didn’t know that I knew why she was here, so she was trying to exercise as much professionalism as she could, even though Lorcan and I were past that part.
He looked over at me, looking for permission for something, and without knowing what it was, I gave it to him. Lorcan was my best friend, and no matter how much I hated Mystic and what she had done to me, I wasn’t going to undermine Lorcan in front of one of his employees.
“Ms. Anderson, I think working with Gage is exactly the perfect scenario to show me what you’re capable of. It’ll prove just how professional your capabilities are. If you can work with Gage, despite your history together, well, then, I suspect you would hold up to corporate pressure remarkably.”
Her eyes widened, catching onto Lorcan’s words about our past. That was my cue to finally speak to her. “Yes,Ms. Anderson,”I spewed venomously. “Let’s see if you can work with your boss’ business associate and turn out a successful project. I mean,Iknow your word is shit, but seems as if Lorcan here still has hope for you.”
The flush of her embarrassment covered her face completely. She chose to ignore me and face Lorcan instead. “Mr. Cavanaugh-”
He put his hand up, interrupting her. “Let me stop you right there, Ms. Anderson,” he said. “I assigned you this project even before I knew you were the girl who fucked over my best friend.” Mystic gasped and I smirked. “And, quite frankly, if he told me to toss your ass out on the street, I would. Especially, since I have cause after that shit you and Ms. Contreras pulled. But I am giving you a chance to prove yourself with this joint project, regardless of what’s between you and Gage. If you don’t think you can do this, tell me, and you can start your week off by looking for a new job.”
Mystic looked livid and it was a good look on her. I wished I hadn’t noticed, but I did. Hell, I couldn’tstopfucking looking at her. Still ignoring me, she asked, “And if Mr. Evans decides he doesn’t want to work on this project with me after all?”
I spoke before Lorcan could answer. “I’m not the one who has a history of being a liar and a coward, Ms. Anderson,” I bit out. “If I give my word on something, I see it through.To the fucking end.”I wasn’t just talking about the project and she knew it.
“Look, that’s the deal,” Lorcan told her. “Take it or leave it, I don’t care. You have five seconds to decide.”
I could see the panic flash in Mystic’s eyes. I knew nothing about her these days, but everyone needed to work. My assumption was that she couldn’t afford to lose this job any more than the next guy. However, as much as I wanted to torture her-and make no mistake, my dick twitched with the idea that I held her professional fate in my hands-I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t kill her by the time this project was presented. The hell I’d pawn it off to an associate now.
“Uh, of course, Mr. Cavanaugh,” she replied, a tremor in her voice. “It’s not a problem.”
Liar.
Lorcan looked over at me. “Are you good with this?”
“If she can do the job, it’s not a problem,” I told him. “If she proves to be dumber than a box of rocks, then we’ll have to revisit.”
And just when I thought Mystic was going to just stand there and continue to take the verbal abuse, she surprised me. “Let’s get one thing straight,Mr. Evans,”she snapped. “Our past is just that-the past. And while I am going to do my best with this project, regardless, I will not tolerate your rudeness or disrespect.”
She had nerve.
This woman had broken me into a million motherfucking pieces when she had walked away from me without a word. How fuckingdareshe act the victim.
“Oh, make no mistake,Ms. Anderson,”I seethed, not giving a fuck that Lorcan was standing in the room, his ears open to this shitstorm. “I know exactly what you do and don’t tolerate.”
“Did,” she snapped. “What Ididtolerate. You don’t know anything about the woman I am today.”
“And whose fucking fault is that?” I snarled, finally foregoing any pretense at professionalism.
“Okay,” Lorcan said, interrupting. “I’m going to step out and give you two a few moments to hash your shit out.” He looked at Mystic. “However, it’s best that you keep in mind that whatever leeway Gage grants you doesn’t necessarily mean I will grant you the same. At the end of the day, Gage is a business associate as well as my friend, Ms. Anderson. I expect you to know where the line is and not to cross it.” He didn’t give Mystic a chance to respond to his thinly veiled threat before turning and walking out of the conference room.
