Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“At a boring hotel that looks like it’s right out of The Shining? Clamoring. I’m sure,” I snarl.
Finch leers. “Oh, Winnie, you always were a rotten fucking loser. And they said the same about me that year your lovely grandfather squeezed me out of first.”
“The year your wife left your sorry ass, right? I saw the police reports. How long did that court battle go on? And what’d you have to pay in the settlement to shut her up about the assault?”
His face tightens until I can see his cheekbones nearly breaking through his thin skin.
“It doesn’t matter. Not after today. I’m taking first—and your greedy entitled ass is fucked.”
“I didn’t lose yet,” I say. “Even after all this, even after your worst, I still have a functioning company.”
“Interesting interpretation. Your stocks are in freefall, your ratings are atrocious, and your guests are all ordering their food over delivery apps. We both know you’re not getting an award for anything but biggest loser of the year.”
“You poisoned my guests, you bitter fucking reprobate,” I flare.
His mouth goes round.
“Mr. Winthrope, watch your tongue. That sounds an awful lot like slander. I do hope you can back that up, or you’ll have another painful lawsuit headed your way. And I heard your legal team is already stretched rather thin.”
I want to knock his face off.
I want to kick his ass to Bainbridge Island and back, and then keep kicking it all the way into the Pacific.
But I’m at a professional conference with thousands of eyes.
If I go off like a raging maniac, it will rip what’s left of our reputation to shreds and land me in prison.
I’m going to take this vicious fuck apart, but not here.
Not today.
I just have to hold it together through tonight, and then expedite my plans with Fyo.
So for now, I do the only thing I can.
I turn and walk away, ignoring how my feet feel blistered with every step.
I’m searching for Pippa again the whole time, but of course I can’t find her. Even if she’s here, it’s like finding Waldo in this foaming mess of people.
After a few more minutes, I throw myself back in the empty chair next to Keenan.
“Couldn’t find her,” I say.
“You will, Romeo. Relax.”
I glare at him. “It’s not funny. I need to talk to her tonight. Finch is here.”
Keenan winces. “You knew he would be.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t prepared to talk to him.”
His eyes widen and he stares through me. It’s weird to see him speechless.
“What did he say?”
“I told him I knew what he did. He threatened to sue me for slander.”
“Holy shit. Be careful! Do you think he’ll follow through?”
I shake my head.
“Doubt it, and I really don’t care. Let him. It won’t be settled tonight, anyway, but what else is new?”
“Damn,” he says quietly. “You’re really fixated on Piper, huh?”
My lip curls behind my hand with frustration.
I hate that I’m so fucking transparent.
“Boss, it’s okay,” he says, clapping a friendly hand on my shoulder. “It’s no crime to set this brawl aside for another night and find your girl. Go win her back.”
I will, damn you.
If it’s the last thing I ever do, I’m bringing Piper home to my arms.
29
Hold Your Applause (Piper)
The Amtrak Cascades trip to Portland takes most of the day.
Jenn snoozes as the train churns along. I’m so wired I can barely breathe and repeatedly check my phone to keep my heart from fluttering away.
But there’s nothing from Brock.
Not so much as a text by the time we’re dragging ourselves into the train station and finding a ride to go straight to the event. I’m thankful there aren’t any hitches with our credentials.
Just in the nick of time, too.
There’s barely an hour to look around before the loud, raucous crowd starts flowing into the main theater hall for the awards ceremony.
With security light, we walk through a service door near the back of the convention center, hoping it leads us to the right place.
But hope turns to doubt as I stumble through the long, dark hallway in what feels like one long repeating loop. We’re definitely behind the stage area, but where are the doors?
“What are we missing?” I mutter over my shoulder. “The rooms offstage must have an exit or two. Where’s the one for Oasis Springs?”
Frowning, Jenn spins her phone’s flashlight through the darkness. “No clue. I can barely see!”
Further down the hall, after some panicked running, we find the doors lit by a few dim emergency lights—including the one marked 44A for Oasis Springs.
I look at Jenn. “I can take it from here. You should go.”
“Jesus, Pippa. Are you sure? You don’t just want to go to the police?”
“We’re already here. Time to be brave.” I nod firmly as much to myself as her. “It’s the right thing to do for the company and those poor people. Show him he’s cornered.”