Page 210 of Tangled Like Us

THATCHER MORETTI

I’ve gotmy head on right. It’s what I know when I take a seat across from the Tri-Force. Price, Sinclair and Akara all lounge on security’s leather couch. Price has a tablet on his knee, Sinclair a notebook, and Akara, his phone.

I’ve pulled up a chair. Only the coffee table separating us.

Not long ago, I would’ve been sitting on the other side as a lead. I was their equal. I’m not intimidated by them. I’m not cowering or shrinking back.

But I understand that Price cuts the checks. All three of the leads have the same power, but make no mistake, this ishiscompany. He built Triple Shield Services, the legal name for the security team as a whole, which everyone sees on their 1099. Keeping in good graces with Price was always a priority.

Each lead examines their notes. About to discuss further details concerning the breakup announcement. One of which is to use my family as areasonfor fake animosity between me and Jane.

Banks told me,“A few headlines isn’t going to knock our family down. We’ve survived worse.”

I know we have.

My stringent posture stretches my muscles taut. Obedient, patient, and I sense more rules. More boundaries being reconstructed in solid brick.

All the walls I smashed down, that she smashed down, are being cemented back together. Right in front of me.

But there’s one thing I’ve realized in all of this:

I couldn’t compartmentalize Jane.

Not very well in the past, not at all in the present, and there’s no fucking way I’ll be able to in the future.

I’ve given up a lead position. I’ve lost my privacy. I’ve risked the safety of my family. All for her—and at the end of the fucking line, I can’t shove her in one box and walk away. I couldn’t then; I can’t now.

She is everywhere inside of me. And that’s where Iwanther to be.

I can see my grandma. Feel her loving hand on my face. Hear her soft, aching voice. Wishing with her whole soul for me to just be happy.

I inhale strongly.

“Before you all start,” I tell them. “I’d like to say something.”

Sinclair gives me a quick once-over. We’ve been on good terms, despite his grievances with a couple men on Omega. That’s about to change. He nods. “Go ahead.”

Sitting forward, I cup my hands. “I don’t want to waste your time,” I say as a professional courtesy. “So I’m not going to beat around this.”

Akara slips me a confused look, his brows crossing.

I expel a breath through my nose, and I address all three. “I’m not breaking up with Jane.”

Price frowns. “Pardon?”

“We want to be together, sir, and I understand that there may be a conflict of interest with me working for security. If that’s going to be a problem, I’m willing to give you my formal resignation today.”

They’re all stunned silent. Whiplashed. This is probably the last thing they expected to hear.

Akara keeps shaking his head. Shock and heat building in his gaze.

I’m sorry.

Fucking him over is one of the worst things I have to do. But I couldn’t warn him because he needs to wipe his hands clean of me. And even hate me. Maybe then he can try to maintain trust with Price and Sinclair.

“You both want to be together?” Sinclair repeats, like it doesn’t make sense.

“Yes, sir.” I’m more on edge, waiting to see where the shrapnel lands.