Page 1 of Unleashed

Prologue

Trevor

FIVE YEARS AGO

How many times is too many to ring a doorbell before I should give up? Because I’m at five, and I feel like that’s probably the cutoff for any sort of sane person.

Not that I’m feeling particularly sane tonight.

After fighting myself for a few seconds, I stab a finger against the glowing button again, tightening the grip I have on the flowers I hope will smooth things over with Jessica.

Again.

Finally, I hear footsteps on the other side of the door as they stomp my way. Straightening my spine, I try to look less exhausted than I am as the door flings open to reveal my very pissed off girlfriend.

She’s so pretty, even when she’s angry with me. Which seems to be all the time these days.

“I’m sorry.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve said this to her. Probably enough to fill a fucking book. Which is likely what leads to her very direct, very curt response.

“No. You’re not.” She crosses both arms over her chest, staring me down, no hint of emotion on her face. “If you were sorry, you wouldn’t keep doing it.”

“That’s not true.” I am sorry that I missed yet another set of plans we made. I was looking forward to tonight. To spending a few hours thinking about something besides work. Feeling like my life is about more than just meetings and spreadsheets. To being with her.

I love Jessica. She’s everything I want in a woman. Funny. Smart. Kind. Patient.

Though it’s starting to look like she’s run out of that last bit. At least where I’m concerned.

“It is true. I just didn’t want to accept it.” She doesn’t look sad, just resigned when she says, “This is over, Trevor. It’s just not going to work.”

“What?” I shake my head, unwilling to give up without a fight. “Of course it will work. We just have to iron out the kinks⁠—”

“This isn’t a kink.” Jessica rolls her eyes, like I’m being fucking obtuse. “You pick work over me every single time. You’ve made it very clear that I don’t matter to you.”

“Of course you matter to me.” I’ve given her everything she wants. Bought tickets to any event she’s ever mentioned. Flowers every week. Jewelry. Clothes. I’ve done everything I can to show her how I feel. “Things will calm down. The company is just⁠—”

A sharp, bitter laugh cuts me off. “The company is just all you care about.” One hand lifts to grip the door. “You clearly aren’t the kind of man who can juggle work and a relationship, so you have to pick one. Me, or McKinley Security Systems.”

Is she serious? I can’t do that. McKinley Security Systems is finally finding its footing. We just hired on more staff and expanded each department. Hundreds of people count on me being my fucking best for them.

Including my family.

“That’s what I thought.” Jessica stares out at me, her expression flat. “Goodbye, Trevor.”

The door slams in my face, and I stand there for I don’t know how long, staring at it. Yet another end of something I thought was real. Something I thought was strong. Something I thought would last.

“Fuck.” I rake a hand through my hair, cringing as I mess up the carefully combed style I whipped it into before rushing out of my office after putting out yet another metaphorical fire.

Finally turning away from Jessica’s door, I stalk down the stairs, hating myself a little more with each step. Why can’t I just be fucking normal? Why can’t I walk away when my time at the office is up and go live a life like everyone else does?

Because I would never do that to my family. To my employees. Their livelihoods depend on my commitment to the company. They deserve my best.

Ducking out before the work’s done isn’t my best. Not even close.

Dropping behind the wheel of my car, I toss the flowers into the passenger seat and start the engine. The drive home is a blur of exhaustion and self-deprecation. Frustration and regret. I should have found a way to make time for Jessica. Found a way to put her—maybe not first, but at least a close second.

I park in the garage and stumble into my house, a fucking morose mess. I barely manage to get my shoes off before collapsing into bed, exhausted in just about every way there is.

Only to groan when my phone pings five minutes later.