Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

“I might have other ideas.”

She pointed a finger at me. “Nope.”

“Relax. Just want to keep you here for a few more minutes.”

Sighing, she laced her arms around my neck. “Sleeping here has its perks. Breakfast in bed, and your chest as a pillow? I can totally get used to that.”

“That’s the master plan.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Reid

I got the ball rolling the next day. The first step: I called Marion and invited her to come to my office. I waited for her next to the door, standing. I didn’t plan for this conversation to last very long, but I was a face-to-face kind of guy—especially when it came to difficult things.

I checked my watch a few times, pacing around. She was late.

“We could at least have met at the bar,” she said lazily when she finally graced me with her presence.

“This is not a friendly catchup. And you’re late.”

“Same robot as always.” She rolled her eyes, sitting on the couch in the corner. I stayed on my feet.

“And you still have no respect for my time.”

“Can I at least get some coffee?”

“No. This won’t take long.”

She flashed me one of her fake smiles. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

I was in no mood for chitchat or pleasantries, so I cut straight to the chase.

“I spoke to every single TV executive and investor behind your show. It’s not happening anymore.”

The smile froze on her face. “You can’t do that.”

“Yes, I can. I did.”

“I spent two years with you. Do you know how boring it was? You owe this to me.”

Her words would have cut deep just a few months ago, but now, honestly, I didn’t give one damn. All I wanted was to protect Hailey and my family from this circus.

“You’re the one who provoked me. I was willing to forget everything—just wanted you and Lincoln out of my life, but you just had to drag this out in public as much as possible. You thought I wouldn’t retaliate?”

“Is this because of that PR woman you’re parading around? If you actually thought that would make me jealous....”

“Leave Hailey out of this.”

She smirked. “Or what?”

“I’m not done with you, Marion. The show isn’t everything you’ve got to lose.”

I wasn’t going to allow her, the press, or anyone else to hurt Hailey in any way. They’d have to go through me first to get to her. Which was why I was changing tactics. A show of force was necessary. I needed to send a message. Loud and clear.

I met Lincoln in the afternoon. Seeing both of them in the same day was overkill, but I wanted to rip off the Band-Aid. No sense prolonging all this. I wanted to see Lincoln even less than I’d wanted to see Marion, but—again—I was a face-to-face kind of guy.

Lincoln opened his mouth the second he stepped in my office. “Reid. I’m sorry—”