Page 104 of The Rebel Billionaire

"Because she deserves better, okay? I know you guys checked me out. You know whoIam."

"We do," Evers agreed. "Not everything, but we have good access. Birth through your first two years in the Army were easy. After that, the data gets a little sketchy, but we could put together a fairly accuratepicture."

"So you know. You know where I come from, you know the things I've seen. The shit I've done. Charlie deserves someone like her. Someone she can be proud of. Someone whose hands are clean. How can you not get that? You should want better for her if you caresomuch."

"I do. I want the best for her. But what you're describing isn't the best. You think she should be with one of those country club boys? Like the one who cheated on her or tried to drain her savings account? Or the one who tried to use her to get a job? That's what you think she deserves? Because that's what you're leavingherto."

"You don't understand," I said. I didn't know how to explain it to him. How could henotsee?

"No, I understand. I do. You've got to figure this shit out for yourself. I don't have any words of wisdom. Except to say—you need to get your fucking head on straight. Do you know why she was so pissed at Aiden when he fired her? If you do, then you know you did the same goddamnedthing."

"I'm done talking about this with you," I said, ready tohangup.

"Fine with me. I'm not a relationship counselor. But if you make her cry again, I'll beat the shit outofyou."

"I'm scared," I said flatly. I'm sure Evers was trained and a good fighter, but I outweighed him by at least 50 pounds and had a few inches on him. Plus, whoever had trained Evers, I doubted he knew how to fight dirty. Not the wayIdid.

Everslaughed.

"You should be scared. I'm not stupid enough to take you on by myself. But I have brothers, and so does Charlie. Trust me, you don't want us comingafteryou."

"Fine.Thatit?"

"No. I was going to call you later today, but now that I've got you on the phone, we can just talk now," he said, allbusiness.

"What'sup?"

"I know you've been freelance since your thing with the Raptors ended. But we're looking to expand in your area. We don't have anyone with your kind of experience. We've got some hackers on the team, and we've got people who can go out in the field. We need someone to lead the new division who can do both. Wewantyou."

That was the last thing I expected Evers Sinclair to say. Did he just offer me a job? And not just a job, but the chance to lead a wholedepartment?

He stayed silent on the other end while I ran through the implications. I wouldn't have the same flexibility I did now if I worked for Sinclair. And they'd have to fork over a hefty salary to match what I could make on my own. But the challenge wasintriguing.

I could already see the possibilities in my head, the way I could meld the two sides of my talents into a team. Sinclair Security did good work. The best. If I were going to join a company, theirs would be at the top ofthelist.

When the silence had stretched out for too long, I said, "That's an interestingoffer."

"If it's something you'd be willing to consider, I'll email you a formal proposal. We can talk when you're back inAtlanta."

"That sounds good," I said slowly, still trying to catch up. "I'll text you my email. I should be back the day after tomorrow. This job isaboutdone."

"Worksforme."

Evershungup.

Now I just had to make one more call. This one, I was dreading. I'd almost asked Evers to pass on the news, but I wasn't acoward.

I pulled up Aiden's number and hitSEND. He was considerably chillier than Evers when heanswered.

"Jackson. Can I help you withsomething?"

"Yeah. Look, I'm probably the last person you want to hear from right now. This isn't aboutCharlie."

"Then why are youcallingme?"

It was a good thing we had a few hundred miles between us. If the cold rage in his voice was any indication, Aiden's first move if he saw me in person would involve a swinging fist. Or abullet.

"I told you I'd do some digging. It took a while, but I managed to get in touch with a guy I know. I don't have any proof to show you, but they're ninety percent sure Gage is still outthere."