Fall From Grace

“I won’t stop you because I understand where your heart is coming from. But this will change everything.”

“As it should.”

“It could be dangerous for her too. She will be protected by the magazine but that doesn’t stretch as far into her personal life.”

“I’ve already made the proper arrangements to ensure she is protected.”

“We’ll be in touch, Mr. Taylor.”

“When will it print?”

I can hear her smile through the phone. “For a story like this? I can get it in next week’s production.”

“Thank you, Ms. Bronson.”

“You’re a brave man. I have to give you that.”

“I’m not brave, ma’am. Just a fool.” I hang up the phone and close my eyes. Letting my mind find peace in the decisions I just made. Once I feel settled, I take a deep breath and open my eyes. I look around my office. At the life I worked my ass off to build. A life that made my family proud. I was a man that my brothers could look up to, that my father would talk about with pride.

But my days are numbered now. These walls of my office, my sanctuary, will soon be replaced by the four walls I try to keep my clients out of.