Page 112 of Perfect Satisfaction

I make it to the end of the hall before I hear Arek demand, “Why was she crying?”

Brendan snarls, “None of your damn business.”

“It is my business. She’s my wife!”

“Maybe you should be certain of that,” Brendan sneers just before I hear the door slam. Then there are quick footsteps in my direction.

I stand my ground. Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait. It’s time to have this out.

“I know what you’re thinking, but nothing happened between me and Liza,” he says.

I cock a brow but don’t respond verbally. My eyes merely drift to where the peach lipstick had lingered near his lips.

His face morphs into anger. “Do you think so little of me?”

“No, myself.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Why? What do I have to offer the world? I’m merely a conduit to money, financial security.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he dismisses my conclusions.

I reach up and briefly touch his cheek. “Is it? I was foolish to expect more. I figured it out, you see. I tried for so long to be the daughter West wanted, but I gave up. Then I met you and fell in love. Look how that turned out.” Defeated, I step back. “That’s the lesson West wanted me to learn when he told me who you were. That’s why he’s forcing me to endure this arrangement.”

“Sula,” Arek begins urgently.

“Love isn’t meant for a woman like me, Arek.”

“What kind of woman is that?”

“Forgettable.”

He rears back in shock. I use the opportunity to spin away and sprint to my suite.

CHAPTERFIFTY-EIGHT

Fighting with lawyers is like going ten rounds with an MMA fighter. They break you down and build you back up. Then before you know it, you’re hit with a quick one-two and spill your guts all over the mat.

At least, that’s been my past experience with the profession.

Fortunately, I found one who reminds me of the fighter Nick Cain. For those of you who don’t remember, the MMA heavyweight title holder is the GOAT.

Forgetting the fact Nick could still trounce a youth half his age (and rumor has it he’s done so with many a recruit), he gave up his career to open a gym in Albuquerque for at risk youths as well as train the next generation of MMA elite. All while splitting his time between Albuquerque and Juneau, Alaska, with his wife and family of four.

He cares about people. It’s obvious in every part of his life.

I’m sure as hell glad the team I have surrounding me figured out that I do too.

—StellaNova

I’m contemplating the worldout my window. New York is zipping around like swirls of light floors below my office. All that’s on my mind is Sula as Hastings drones on about something behind me. I want nothing more than to chuck him out of my office, thereby completing this endless meeting.

I need to pull out the documents I signed with West Moore’s lawyers and review the pages in detail, but I can’t while he’s in there.

“Love isn’t meant for a woman like me, Arek.”

“What kind of woman is that?”