Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“Unless you’re willing to share again, you two need to get a room.”
I gaze over Veronica’s shoulder. “That was a one-time deal, buddy,” I remind Burt. There’s a slight crease in his brow. I’m no fool. I see the way he looks at my girl. Not a chance. I’m not one to share. Too much booze had me out of sorts the last time. Mark my words, it won’t happen again.
“While you’re writing up the contracts, let’s get our ducks in a row before we present our program.”
“Leave me to do all the dirty work while you get your dick wet, I see how it is.”
“Oh, I’m definitely gonna get that, my friend. But I’ll take care of submitting all the patent requests. Make sure everything is solid and copyrighted—”
“It’s fine. Enjoy yourself. I’ll take care of everything.”
“You sure?”
Burt smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. It could also be that he’s in love with my girlfriend. Because I can be an asshole, I stake my claim and grab Veronica’s ass, thrusting up. She purrs, throwing her head back, and I can practically hear the grinding of Burt’s jaw. He slams his bourbon back and discards the empty glass on the table.
“You two enjoy.” He gets up, grabs the copied notes from my ledger, and walks off.
I call after him. “We’re gonna be fucking rich. Put a smile on your face.” I grab my own glass and raise it to him. “Cheers to our future, brother.” I down my drink. His eyes flick to Veronica before he makes his exit. I grip Veronica’s ass cheeks and grind into her. “If I were a betting man, I’d say my best friend is in love with you.”
“And I would say that’s a real shame since all I want is your cock, baby.”
“Is that right?”
“I’d do anything for you, Jay. Fuck me, beat me, I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes to be yours always.”
“Hmmm… that sounds enticing. Why don’t we go back to my place and start with fucking. If you’re a good little girl, I’ll tie you up and turn your ass red.”
“You’re talking my true love language, baby. Let’s go. We have a lot to celebrate.”
The memory makes me sick. The months that transpired after. Years of friendship. Dedication and loyalty. Fucking gone.
“Say something, you motherfucker.”
“You can’t have it all, Jackson.”
“Have it all? This was ours! Both of ours! You fucked me.”
“You’re just mad because I did it before you had a chance to do it to me.”
“I would never have fucked you over. We were partners.”
“Until you decided you wanted it all to yourself, just like everything else. I did what I had to do—”
“You motherfucker!” I lunge forward, grab the lapels of his shirt, and slam him against the wall. Then I bring my fist back and crush it into his nose. Blood spurts across my face, but I can’t stop. Punch after punch, the severity of what he’s done rings in my ears.
“You’re gonna retract those patents.”
“It’s too late—”
“Retract them!”
“Fuck you,” he gargles, spitting blood out of his mouth.
I shove off him, and he slides down the wall. Rage fogs my vision. My hands shake. “You’re fucking dead to me. And this is far from over. As you know, brother, no one crosses me.” I step back, spitting in his face. “You better hope you make enough money. It’s gonna take an army to stop me from my revenge.”
“Fuck!” I roar as the pieces fall into place. The system failure. The impossible back-to-back glitches…
“Sarah?” I call, and she scurries back into my office.
“Get me the contact info for Burt Hallstead. He’s over at Terra Blueprint Consulting.”
She nods and then exits without a word.
I lower my head, dragging my fingers through my hair. How could I have let this happen?
Because you were blinded—foolishly manipulated by the temptress the Hallsteads put in your path.
Rage and regret flood my veins, the force so overwhelming I grip the edge of the desk, trying to steady myself. Seeing her with the ledger shattered everything. She wasn’t supposed to betray me. My divine fruit, my perfect vision, was everything that brought me peace and happiness. Now, all that is tainted by the sting of betrayal.
I try to swallow the rage. It scorches its way down my throat, igniting a fire in my chest. What were once sparks of passion have erupted into a full-blown inferno. I trusted her. I fucking put my entire relationship with my son on the line for her.
My fists slam into the desk, my head dipping as I inhale a staggered breath. She fucking manipulated me, and I fell for it. The fury inside me coils tighter, twisting into something darker—something dangerous.
Sadness.
The things I was willing to sacrifice. All for her. Because she made me feel something I’ve never experienced. Lust, desire—those were expected. But it was more. It wasn’t just about having her or the sex. It was about owning her. Devouring her beauty in ways I haven’t in years. Her laugh. The way she pretended not to feel me watching her. The way her skin would pebble with arousal. Our talks. How fucking smart she is… the way her goals made me want to be a part of them.