Page 56 of Mason

But what are my options?

Mason made it clear never to second guess him, and I’ve been wrong before. Millions of dollars’ worth of wrong. I chew on my bottom lip, contemplating my choices. Mason Wood is a financial genius. Daylight Holdings is one of the top hedge fund companies in the world.

I scroll through the data, and my skin prickles in goose bumps.

The company doesn’t stand to lose millions—it could lose hundreds of millions.

There’s too much leverage in the trade, if it goes sideways the ramifications could be disastrous.

Fuck.

I dial Mason’s cell, and it goes straight to voice mail. I hang up before leaving a message. Then I text him 911 to let him know how important this is.

My fingernails tap on his desk. My eyes skim over the envelope. I’m done here, resignation effective immediately. This trade—good, bad, or indifferent—isn’t my concern.

The countdown ticks down.

I hold my breath. Think, Liv.

What if I called Lucas? No, not Lucas, Holden. My fingers hover the keys, weighing the risks. Even if I stop the trade, they’ll still know that Mason went behind their back, and the only thing I’ll have saved is their bank account.

My stomach flips over.

Sweat breaks out across the nape of my neck.

Trust your instincts.

Isn’t this what Mason has talked about? The moment of truth. My gut tells me to stop the trade and suffer the consequences. But my gut hasn’t exactly been a harbinger of good fortune lately.

Just pull the trigger.

What if I’m wrong, though?

What if he has some sort of tip I don’t know about?

Do the right thing. Do what’s in your gut, Liv.

That’s what a real day trader with killer instinct would do. She’d forget about the devilish whisper on her shoulder telling her to back away. Stay cautious. After all these months, I’m still wavering. Scared to trust my inner compass.

But it’s not just the planner in me that hesitates.

I shouldn’t even be touching Mason’s computer. That rule was made clear on my first day, with dire consequences should I cross that line. I have no right to question his decisions—Mason Wood is the CEO. With my resignation letter typed and presented, I’m not even an employee, anymore.

I close my eyes and will back the tears. I wish things were different, that Mason would have let down the walls that keep his heart caged. Or at least that I’d been bolder, tried breaking down the barriers myself. I should have fought for us. For what I want. Instead, I’m taking the easy way out—exactly what I told Mason I wouldn’t ever do.

I stand, draw in a juddering breath, and exhale.

I’ve tried to call him.

That’s all I can do.

I set the envelope back on the keyboard and turn away. But pin pricks of doubt chip away at my resolve. I shake the mouse to bring the screen into focus, and note the clock ticking down on the trade. My stomach twists into a knot. Mason is making a mistake.

One that could cost him everything.

I tap the keyboard lightly, fingers hovering.

Fifteen seconds.