Shattered Dynasty

I don’t care about any of that shit anymore.

Pacing my office, I try to think of what I will say once I find her.

Maybe she went back to school.

She could be with her friend, Heather.

Now the question is, will she let me see her, will she speak to me, or will she tell me to go fuck off?

I deserve to be told off; I can stuff it.

Hearing my sister’s disapproval, the way that she compared me to my father, I know she is right, deep in my bones.

There is only one thing left for me to do.

I pick up the phone and try to dial her cell phone number, but it goes straight to voicemail. Ever since my talk with Jaxson, I lost my okay to look her up and see where she is, but I am certain she’s at school. I still remember her schedule from before.

I try her phone again and again; it goes straight to voicemail.

This time, I decide to text.

Me: I want to talk. I know you’re getting my texts. Please, Payton. I’m begging you, respond.

I’m surprised when the phone chimes right away.

Payton: And you haven’t figured out I don’t care what you want.

Me: Please.

She doesn’t answer.

Although I can see that she read it.

Me: We need to talk. Can you come back home?

Fuck. I’m calling it home like it’s a place she belongs. As much as I want that, she won’t. She will want to be free from me.

Payton: No.

Me: It won’t take long.

Again, she doesn’t answer right away, and I’m sure she is going to tell me no.

I could use my power over her money to make her.

But I don’t.

Blackmailing her into meeting me would defeat the whole purpose of the conversation.

Payton: Why?

Me: I owe you an apology.

I don’t mention what for, but it’s pretty obvious.

Payton: Don’t worry. It was just a kiss. I haven’t thought about it since.

Her response is not what I expect, but rather than give a witty retort, I shrug it off.

That’s my MO.

Get insulted. Fire back.

This time, I’m going to shut up and not say anything

Me: Just meet me, please. I’m serious. Please.

I stare at my phone for a second and wait for her to respond, but after a few more, I realize she won’t.

Walking back toward my desk, I pull out my chair and take a seat.

My emotions are still conflicted.

I know I have to let this whole thing go, but at the same time, I don’t want to.

My phone chimes as I’m about to tip the glass back into my mouth.

Payton: Fine. But you get five minutes.

Me: Deal.

Payton: Where?

Me: Meet me by the library. The parking lot?

Payton: Fine. What time?

I put the glass down. Can’t be drinking right now.

I shoot back a time, then go back to work for a few hours, distracted by the upcoming meeting with Payton.

My phone rings again, and this time, it’s Tobias. I send him to voicemail. Not a smart idea, but I still haven’t figured out what to tell him. Once I have an answer, I’ll call him back.

Tobias has made it clear he wants out. He’s in the process, with the help of Cyrus, of brokering a deal to sell his business. That means an influx of money I need to invest. That also means I have all my feelers out for any tips of something that’s going to be hot.

Or something that’s going to fail miserably.

After the last scheme, I have to be careful. Although every relevant politician is in my pocket in one way or another, I can’t make it so blatantly obvious. This time, I’m going to have to rely on insider info.

I’m going to be active about it, placing a few phone calls and seeing if anybody knows anything that would be worth investing in rather than waiting for my people to bring the info to me.

I spend the next hour speaking to a handful of people.

One of Lorenzo’s men has the most information that will be useful. He owns a garbage and sanitation company, and after hours, they sift through and send me anything I need.

That will work for now.

But I’ll need something bigger for Tobias soon.

Standing from my chair, I walk toward the door.

It’s time to bury this hatchet I have with Payton once and for all.

35

Payton

* * *

I told myself not to answer. I promised myself I wouldn’t.

Yet I did.

The tone of his text threw me off.

A tiny voice I’ve been trying to shove away started whispering in my ear to find out what he wanted.

I have an angel and demon on both my shoulders when it comes to Trent Aldridge. One of them tells me to meet him. The other is adamantly against it. I don’t know which one will win, and that has me hyperalert.

Either way, this could be the biggest mistake of my life.