The Marriage Sacrifice

He looked at her. “I can’t do it.”

“Why? It’s a perfect solution. You believe that. Otherwise you wouldn’t look so torn.”

It was a perfect solution. Of course it was. There was no doubt in his mind just how perfect it was, but he couldn’t do it.

“Sage.”

“What about her?”

“She doesn’t want to be in the public eye. It’s bad enough trying to tell her my feelings because she knows something is wrong.”

“Then tell her,” Alice said.

“I can’t do that. Not now.”

“You’re being stubborn.”

“Sage hates corporations. She has spent her whole life fighting against her parents. She doesn’t do business, nor does she condone their meaning. She’s all about helping people and serving the needs of others.” It was one of the many things he loved about her.

“This company serves the need of many. Without corporations what about jobs?”

“I can’t do it.”

“You won’t do it. There’s a difference. Without this company there are going to be a lot of people out of work. We all need this to work, Dom. I have every faith in you.”

Dom couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why? Why do you have every faith in me? I can’t keep this afloat. I’m failing. I have failed. It’s not even a slippery slope. We’re full steam ahead to instant fucking failure.”

Alice sighed. “The Booker deal.”

“What about it?” he asked.

“It’s one of the reasons I have faith in you.”

“Why?”

“Booker loves his wife. He spent his entire life helping her advance and develop her company. With her gone, every little shark, big or small, wants a piece of it. He just wants his wife’s good work not to be torn apart and destroyed. You didn’t do that. You’re more than willing to work for him and to make sure he gets everything. It’s how I know you’re a good person and you’re not after a quick sale or a quick turnaround. You see an investment opportunity, and you delved right in, but you won’t ruin the integrity of your products.”

He stared at Alice, and he was sure he saw pride in her eyes.

“Also, when your father called you to say how bad things are, you didn’t waste any time. You were here. Sure, you partied and you were a dick. I have no doubt there is still part of that inside you, and it’s probably what terrified Sage. The papers portrayed you as one thing. This company has turned you into another. Show her the good man. The man who is not trying to keep his playboy lifestyle but the one that is trying more than anything to save this company for the people who work here. I know this doesn’t bother you. Sitting in a big old office all day. Fighting for contracts. Dealing with assholes.”

“You keep swearing,” he said.

“I know, but you need to hear it. You enjoyed the money because it was there, but it’s not who you are. It’s not what makes you, you. I see the real you, Dom, and I believe you’ve let Sage see you as well, and it scares you.” Alice moved up to him putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to make this work, and I know you’re going to be one fine husband for her. I’m going to go and have a word with the electric company.”

She walked away.

“Don’t. I’m going to send out that email. My staff deserve the day off as I get married.”

“They will like that,” she said.

They would, but it would also give him the much-needed time he required to fix this fucking mess that he’d created.

His company wasn’t completely dead. Not yet. He would keep on fighting, but he wasn’t going to lose Sage.

Chapter Eight

“I knew I’d find you here. On the night of our combined bachelor and bachelorette party, you’re in an animal shelter. Are you trying to secretly tell me something?” Dom asked.

Sage looked up. “That I like taking care of people and animals and just about everything.” She held the little pup in her arms. Okay, he wasn’t exactly little, but he wanted some loving and she was more than happy to give him some. All this guy needed was a hug, and it broke her heart to know he’d not even given any kind of care.

“Is that a pit bull?”

She nodded. “Sweet, isn’t he?”

“You do know they’re considered one of the worst and most violent kinds of dogs in the world?”

She looked up at Dom. “That’s because they have a bad reputation. This guy is not violent or vicious.”

“The scars all over him, I’d say otherwise.”

“He was found in an illegal dog fighting ring.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. He wasn’t born violent or vicious. In order to get food or to have anything he probably had to fight. He’s not that old, still so young. The trainer said he’s so kind. Look at him, he’s so cute. This is why I avoid people. There are way too many nasty people in the world that do not deserve to even know happiness.”