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Parker turns towards the door.

“Come along, Christopher.”

Otley remains frozen, his nose swelling pink.

“You’re seriously choosing them over me?” he says to Soul Girl. “You’re choosing Bryce Maddocks over the Otley family?”

Alice looks at him.

“You tried to kill my cat, dickhead. You think I’d want to carry your child, you fucking psycho?”

“Fuck off,” I say to him all over again. “Bryce is considerably hotter anyway, if she’s such a dick hungry whore.”

I give him another middle finger.

The security officers get into action and move the two of them out of here. The three advisers gather their cases and leave, considerably less impressive than when they arrived.

Eli remains at the doorway until they disappear.

Then he looks towards Bryce.

“Your hand?”

“It hurts.” Bryce opens and closes his fingers. Ouch, it looks painful. Already swelling. “I, um, haven’t punched anyone before.”

Eli smirks.

“I think it’s all right. We’ll get some ice for it. Good shot for a novice.”

“Thank you. Yes.”

The automatic obedience in his voice makes me smile.

“Well done, guys.” Eli claps his hands. “Let me ensure this carnage reaches the exit and not the roulette wheel.”

He leaves, and the door closes behind him.

Silence settles over the office. My office. The calm after the storm such a crazy contrast that it makes me smile.

Alice looks at me. Her composure disintegrates, and Soul Girl comes to the fore. Eyes buzzing with love and life.

“Hi,” she says.

That one word destroys me.

Brings tears pricking.

But I don’t fucking care.

“Hi, Soul Girl.”

I wrap both arms around the enormous coat she took from my hanger.

Her face disappears against my neck.

“You did it,” I tell her. “Well done.”

“I only did it because you called.”