Page 93 of Final Installment

“I’m not brave.I’m tired,” Luka admitted.

“Maybe you should take a vacation.”

“That’s the plan.”

“I hear Shanghai is beautiful this time of year.”

Taken aback by Brett’s suggestion, Luka searched the other man’s face.It wasn’t a joke at his expense.He was serious.“Is it?”

Brett nodded.“I know someone who lives there who might enjoy your company.”

Luka swallowed hard.“You think?”

Brett offered an encouraging but slightly hesitant smile.“I know.”

“And you approve?”Luka asked, dreading the answer.

“I’m not sure yet,” Brett answered honestly.“You’ve got a chance to prove yourself.”Brett stepped closer, lowering his voice to a threatening timbre.“But if you break her heart, you’re going to wish those bullets had finished you off.”

Certain Brett had the resources to make him disappear, Luka accepted the warning without complaint.This was Elona’s father, and he had a right to question intent.

But Brett didn’t need to worry.The only heart at risk of being broken was his own.

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHEYENNE

I’ve had it.I can’t take it anymore.

You’re leaving?Finally?

I have to or else I’m going to lose my mind.

You found another nanny?And a nurse?

Nanny—yes.Nurse—no.

Any leads on that?

One.

Timeline for leaving?

If I make it a week, it will be a miracle.

Where will you go?

As far from here as possible.

Come see me?

Like there was a chance I wasn’t coming there first!

Withasmileanda quick thanks, I took the bag of takeout from my favorite little sandwich shop.It wasn’t far from my apartment, and I had stumbled across it on my fourth day in the city.The chef was a New Jersey transplant who made his own bread and imported ingredients from Italy.

I didn’t visit often, but when I did, I went all out, ordering a pizza and a giant sandwich and at least one salad.I liked to stop by on a Friday evening after work because it meant I would have leftovers for the weekend.That was a good thing because I typically popped into the office on Saturday for a few hours and cooking or stopping for food was not high on my list of priorities after dragging myself home.

SQC didn’t officially endorse the so-called 9/9/6 work culture, but it was expected from most of the employees.I’d been very clear when negotiating my contract that I was not going to keep such a brutal schedule, even with extra compensation.I couldn’t maintain that lifestyle without burnout.Even so, I still found myself voluntarily coming into the office because, frankly, I was lonely in my fancy penthouse apartment.