Page 220 of The Art of Almost Losing It
“Just like that?” I gulp.
“Like squashing a bug.”
“Of course I had him fired.”Graham’s lip curls when I stomp into his study.
He’s standing in front of the expanse of glass, looking down over the snowy landscape.
“I’m sorry, you what? You had Kraig fired?”
“I don’t want him around you, so I told Carl Svensson to get rid of him.”
He’s still staring out the window. I can see his reflection in the pristine glass. He has what I assume is his business face on—the one he wears in meetings, making billion-dollar deals.
“Now he doesn’t have a job.”
The professional mask slips.
“Fuck his job.” Graham whirls around. “He has been stalking you and stole your panties.”
Now I’m starting to actually feel a little apprehensive.
Graham grabs me and shakes me roughly. “He was trying to take you from me. Do you get that? He’s trying to take you from me.”
Suddenly he goes from angry and crazy to loving, kissing me. “I love you. This is what you do when you love someone, you protect them.”
I feel faint.
“I’ve got the bachelorette party to plan for. We’re leaving tomorrow, and maybe I should just go to my parents’ house. Give you some space.”
“No. Stay here.” He pulls me to him, kisses me softly. “Stay, Dani.” Another kiss. “Stay.”
“Okay, I’ll stay tonight,” I relent.
“No,stay. Don’t go to Switzerland.” His green eyes search mine. “I don’t want you to go.”
“But I have to.”
His hands tighten on my face. “I could just keep you here, you know,” he says calmly. “I could keep you here with me forever.”
It’s a little chilling. I’m not sure why a few weeks ago it wasn’t. Maybe this time it’s because it feels like he means it.
42
GRAHAM
“So this is not what I thought would happen.” Finn grimaces.
“We shouldn’t have ignored it,” Grayson snaps. “The entirety of Wall Street is in hysterics.”
Aaron glugs scotch into glasses, some of it splashing on my dining room table.
“At this point, we’re going to have to start a war with a South American country to get the news media to stop chewing on this story,” Spencer says dryly.
“I’m fucked.” I rub my hands over my face. “I’m going to prison.”
Grayson has a fistful of my suit jacket. “Graham. Look at me. Look at me.Look at me.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell my older brother bitterly.
