Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

By the time I’ve dried off, the old Ashlyn is back in place, this time with a new purpose. I dress quickly, doing the best I can with my hair and makeup, and go to find my phone.

Miller’s voicemail answers on the first ring. “I’m sorry, Miller. I am so sorry. You have every right to be angry at me. It’s selfish to ask you to understand, but the thought of you, my family, your family suffering because of me was inconceivable. It’s a lame excuse, and I know the stupidity in cutting you out. I love you. Please call me.”

My chest aches at his blow-off, but I bury it for another time. The next call is going to slash just as deep.

“Took you fucking twelve hours to come to your senses and call me?” Stephanie spouts bitterly. “You are lucky Todd has learned the art of rationalizing, or I’d have driven my ass down there and bitch-slapped your other cheek.”

“He called you?” My knees give out, and I curl into Miller’s favorite chair. The familiar scent of him settles around me.

“Of course he called me. He saw you in trouble and had enough intelligence to reach out for help. Something you seem to be incapable of.”

“Ouch.”

“If you’re looking for sympathy, hang up and call me later. Right now, I want to know how the fuck you let that jackass storm in and bully you once again?”

“He threatened my family. It wasn’t a run-of-the-mill threat either. There was determination and purpose. He knew where to go after me.”

“Ashlyn, this will hurt, but it’s time for some tough love. Did you think you’d walk away from a firm like Redmond and a man like Brock with no blowback? You’re smarter than that. Assholes like him thrive on power. Regardless of his position when you first started, he saw a chance to build you as his weapon. In his mind, he made you who you are, and there’s no escaping him. He probably has a full file on your life for the last few months. Egomaniacs rarely let their guard down.”

“I was irresponsible to think it was all behind me.” All the strength from a few minutes ago drains.

“No, it was irresponsible to keep it all in a vault and not share so those of us who care about you could have been watching what was happening.”

“Stephanie,” my voice cracks, “I swear to you, if I come out of this standing, you can whip me all you like. But I’m hanging on by a thread. I was stupid.”

There’s a rustling on her end, and Todd’s voice is muffled, sounding equally pissed as hers. “Maybe you were stupid, but I’d like to think of it as wishful.”

“I have to go to Chicago. As much as I hate it, Brock has won.”

“Hell yes, you are going to Chicago! But that ass will not win. When does he expect you?”

“He wanted me to return with him today.”

“Pretentious bastard.”

“I know and figured I’d go after Christmas.”

“That’s too long. Can you be on a plane tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow? Why so soon?”

“You need to crush them, shut this extortion down, and leave it all behind. The one positive thing that’s happening here is when you let us in on what was happening, I could wade in.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Once I found out what was going on at the firm, I turned it over to the expert. Scottie hasn’t let up. I gave him free rein to look into Redmond, Kersh, and Reid with all resources available. That man has enough to ruin even the cleanest of employees at that firm with guilt by association. So yes, you are taking your ass to Chicago.”

I jolt up, gripping the phone as my lifeline. “What do you have?”

“Dirty, salacious, and detailed activities that will darken this firm if it goes public.”

“How did you get this information?”

“Scottie is a master, and he’s ready to get the ball rolling. We’ll send you some files, but go over it tomorrow afternoon in Chicago.”

“Are you coming?”

“Not me. As much as I want to be there, this belongs to Scottie. He’s trying to coordinate flights for you both to arrive at the same time. If that’s not possible, he will drive down and fly with you. Be warned, he’ll want to see Darby before you fly out.”

“I’m not sure she wants to see me.”

“Oh, Ashlyn, get with the program. There will be plenty of time for your apologies later. Everyone understands he backed you into a corner. Darby especially.”

“My apologies are worthless if Miller won’t even talk to me.”

“He’s a rough and tough, alpha man. His first instinct was to kick ass and defend. You stripped his ability to protect you, and he reacted on impulse.”

“He walked out on me when I asked if he hated me.”