Page 172 of Hidden Ties

“In the best interest of the business I created, I have reached a settlement with the DA so as not to tarnish the reputation I have tried so hard to attain in the legal field. To this end, I have also decided to step down and allow my successor to restore Hollingsworth to the sterling reputation the firm had before several mistakes, which I had no knowledge of but, as head of the firm, I felt it was my responsibility to take accountability for. I will also be atoning for those mistakes to the best of my capability. To achieve that goal, I have carefully chosen my successor, who will lead Hollingsworth into a bright future, ensuring the firm’s doors will remain open for those who need our legal expertise. Kent Bryant, I am sure, will make that possible. Congratulations, Kent! You are the new head of Hollingsworth!”

Kent bet a grand that Garrett had to have drunk a full bottle of brandy to have choked that speech out.

Finding himself inundated with congratulations, he saw Sage slip out of the room. He was forced to stay and accept several well wishes, so he couldn’t chase after her immediately. He made an excuse as soon as possible, not bothering going to the file room to find her. Instead, he decided to take the risk she would be at the bus stop.

Downcast, Sage was just sitting on the bench, staring off into space, as the bus pulled away from the curb.

Quietly, he walked toward her. “Sage.”

She bitterly glanced up at him. “Please, go away.”

“You missed your bus. Let me drive you home.”

Turning her head sideways, Sage stood up from the bench, looking at the street in the direction the bus had gone. When she took out her cell and started scrolling through her apps, he knew she was about to order a ride.

“Let me drive you home,” he repeated.

“I wouldn’t let you drive me home if I had to walk barefoot over hot coals to get there.”

Wincing, he shoved his hands in his slacks’ pockets. “I know you hate me—”

Sage jerked her eyes to his. “I more than hate you … Iloatheyou.” She took a step toward him as if she wanted to scratch his eyes out.

He hadn’t seen this passionate side of her when he had fucked her. He wasn’t surprised, though. Betrayal did have that effect on some people. The more closed off they were, the more sense of betrayal they felt.

“I understand that’s how you feel,” he tried to assuage her feelings, aware it was going to be an uphill battle, but he had never backed away from a fight, and he wasn’t going to start now.

“You’ll never understand how I feel nor care enough about me to have any inkling of how badly you’ve hurt me! Not only did you deliberately chase after me to encourage me to fall in love with you, you used my feelings to get something you wanted.”

He didn’t flinch at the contemptuous way she was looking him over from head to toe.

“You goteverything you wanted, and some of what you took, you didn’t want at all,” she insinuated furiously.

Kent frowned at her. “What in the fuck are you implying?” He snapped his mouth closed as one of two passengers waiting to get on the next bus, who were raptly listening to their argument, shifted. The man was subtly trying to record them.

“Implying? If you don’t understand what I said, let me make it clearer for you—”

“We’re being recorded.” Kent lowered his face. “Do you want what happened between us all over the Internet? Let me drive you home, and you can say anything you want to me in the car.”

Stricken, Sage turned her head toward the two men waiting a few inches away. The one recording them quickly lowered his phone and began talking to the other.

Unashamedly taking advantage of her embarrassment, Kent grabbed her arm lightly before walking her away from the bus stop.

“I hate you.” She fervently shrugged away from him.

When they reached his car, he opened the door for her. “Please, Sage, get inside.”

Inwardly sighing when she finally climbed inside the SUV, he shut the door before walking around to get inside.

“I’m done talking to you. Just take me home.” She pointedly ignored him as she stared out the window, not even glancing at him as he drove out of the garage. However, he took a longer route to her apartment.

“You might not want to talk, but I do. I admit I lied to you. I did use you. I used Livvy as well. I feel regret I used you. I don’t where Livvy is concerned. I needed a file out of the file room. Glenda would have dragged her dead body to work if she had to before she retired. I admit Desmond and I saw how Livvy and her posse treated you at lunch the day she stiffed you with the lunch bill. I could tell from the way you reacted that you’re …” Kent tried to think of a delicate word that wouldn’t hurt her further.

“That I was a pushover,” she cut in sharply.

Grimacing, he nodded. “I put the bug in Garrett’s ear what Livvy had done, and Desmond wasn’t happy that she had taken advantage of you. That’s why you were given the promotion.”

“I see.” Sage still refused to look at him as he talked.