Page 30

My heart feels heavy as I open the bottom drawer and retrieve my bag. When I stand, I glance down at the flowers Bronson handed me this morning; they’re still sitting in the wastebasket, so I bend down and pick them up. They’re too pretty to be left behind, and now I feel like a bitch for how I acted.

I’ve learnt a lot about the man I’ve been trying to hate today, and about the weight of everything he’s been carrying since he was a young boy. And no matter how hard I try, I’m beginning to realise there’s more to him than I ever imagined. It’s difficult to dislike someone when you’re starting to see them in a completely different light.

Chapter 11

Bronson

I’m standing by the window, bourbon in hand, looking out over the city lights, when my office door opens. For a split second, I think it’s Rose, but she left a few hours ago. She took the flowers with her, too. I watched her leave on the security camera downstairs—because apparently, when it comes to her, I have no self-control—and seeing those roses clutched in her hand made me happier than it probably should have.

I have no idea why I opened up to her today and told her a secret I’ve been keeping for years. It’s something I haven’t even told my best friend. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them, but what I appreciate most about Rose is that after my confession, she gave me space. Time to think, and time to digest. I’ve been with plenty of women before, but never one like her. And maybe that’s what scares me most.

Turning my head, I glance over my shoulder and see Callum standing in the threshold. “Ever heard of knocking?” I ask. “What if I was in the middle of something?”

He arches an eyebrow and smirks. “Are we talking Mrs Palmer and her five daughters, kind of something, or balls deep in your new pretty PA’s pussy kind of thing?”

“You may be my best friend, but if I ever hear you refer to Rose’s pussy again, I’m going to knock you the fuck out.” He barks out a laugh as he saunters further into my office and takes a seat behind my desk. “You right there?”

He leans back into the chair and folds his hands behind his head. “I’m quite comfortable, actually,” he says. “Thanks for asking.”

“What do you want, Callum, and why are you still here?”

“I had a late meeting and thought I’d check in with you before I left. Violet told me about your altercation with Rose … like the flower, this morning.”

“I’m surprised you two find time to work, considering all you seem to do is sit around and gossip.”

“Someone sounds jealous.”

I screw up my face. “Hardly.”

“So, did you and Rose kiss and make up after she realised the extradentary lengths you went to to get close to her?”

“Nope. She didn’t quit, though, so that’s a positive, I guess.”

“Are we finally going to see the end of the orange invasion? Because we might need to add a citrus budget to the annual expenses if not.”

“Fuck off,” I grumble.

He chuckles. “Violet told me why the office started looking like a fruit market, and do you know how hard I laughed when I found out Rose doesn’t even like oranges? Dude, you’ve got it bad for this one.”

“If you came in here to give me a hard time, save it. I’m not in the mood.”

“Is Rose busting your balls already, mate?”

“No. I had Spencer look into that handsy boss of hers, and you’re never going to believe who his stepfather is.”

“Who?” he asks, frowning.

“Victor Langley.”

“The fuck?” he says, sitting forward. “I thought that cunt was banned from doing business years ago.”

“Looks like he passed his cuntiness down to his stepson.”

“Are they still running shady deals?”

“Spencer’s trying to find out. Their main system looks all above board, but there’s an encrypted one running in the background that he’s yet to crack.”

“If that doesn’t scream dodgy, I don’t know what does.”