Page 57 of Dark Surrender

To sell my disbelief, I fluster like a woman in one of those nineteen-fifties movies. “Oh. Dear. I… I can’t possibly.” I fan my face and readjust in my chair.

Brian gobbles my damsel persona right up. “Yes, you can. Mr. Grant liked his women and took good care of them. Two million dollars is fair. You deserve it.”

“Oh. I… I didn’t know.” Not knowing what to do with my hands, I fidget with my hair and look up at my boss through my lashes, all shy and demure to coil him tighter around my finger.

“I know you didn’t,” he says, his voice soft. “If they want me to handle this, I will, on my terms. What do you say to me emailing the lawyers to set these terms? You’ll sign the NDA for two million, the six-month extension to your lease, and a guaranteed position.”

“I… I.” Swallowing thickly, I stutter my breath. “I don’t… I don’t think I can work here anymore. There are… too many memories of us. I…” Trailing off, I squeeze my eyes shut, and more of those money-making tears do their thing. Cha. Ching.

“Ava, that’s okay. I’ll get you a severance package. We can tie the two million into that.”

Not saying another word, I bob my head like a sad puppy, agreeing with him.

Two million dollars.

Two. Million. Dollars.

Good heavens, what am I to do with all that money?

Besides having Cell manage the account, taxes, and other things, she already handles the fake-identity stuff, or has someone she knows do it.

My boss speaks a little longer, explaining the ins and outs, and when we’re through, he walks me to the door.

“I wish you well, Ava. Feel free to clean out your desk, and I’ll send a courier to your apartment when all the paperwork is ready to be signed.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Hands clasped in front of me, head down, I take the walk of shame to my desk. Jay is already there, ready to hear what happened. When I explain I’m no longer employed here, she loses her shit. Pulling her to the side, I whisper, “Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” That calms her from a level ten to a two. She spends the next thirty minutes helping me collect my things, which aren’t many, and walks me outside with my small box, my now tepid coffee, and my purse slung over my shoulder.

On the concrete walk right outside the thirty-two-story office building, Jay gives me a big hug, despite my arms being full.

Her smile is watery as we part ways.

Sure, this was a job, but Jay is a good person and someone I will miss.

The ride back to the apartment in the back of a cab, since I didn’t want to bother my driver, is peaceful.

Nobody could have anticipated this would go so smoothly.

Least of all me.

For the next few days, I lounge in my apartment in pajamas, eating whatever can be delivered, and in New York, that’s just about anything you can set your heart on. I field texts from Sola about Dee and watch a brain-rotting amount of television. It’s glorious. A vacation I’ve never had but secretly love.

When detectives come by to ask me about my relationship with Mr. Grant, I invite them in because I have nothing to hide. Well, I do, but they don’t know that. I’m honest about our affair, tearful when necessary, and when they ask about my whereabouts, I tell them about my family overseas and show them my return ticket.

When they ask about the visit to the Hamptons, which I was prepared for, I tell them about the celebration for my promotion. Which is true. My boss had planned to announce my new job title when I got back from my vacation. Everything is covered by the time they leave, and I know when they’re standing at my doorway, offering their condolences, that I’m a free woman.

The relief is immense when I shut the door, set the locks, and fall onto the softest couch on the planet and smile.

My life here is almost done.

One more paper to sign, money to collect, and I’m out.

Wow.

What a rush.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR