Page 355 of Double or Nothing

William’s fury.

Bryce walking out while every carefully positioned piece on the board scattered around them.

A different version of me would focus on the victory. The explosion. The pleasure of imagining William Parker’s face.

But this version of me sees Bryce standing alone afterwards, his entire future suddenly unwritten.

“Then what happened?”

“Bill and Christopher followed me to my office. Bill said I should be on my knees trying to repair the damage.”

Steel ignites inside me. Not the flames of the auction. Those were wild, fed by adrenaline and the need to provoke.

This burns colder.

Controlled.

“I take it you declined,” I say.

“I resigned. Scribbled it out on a piece of paper and handed it over.”

“Good.”

“You already said that.”

“It warrants repeating. Many times.”

Bryce watches me.

“I know you were right about him.”

I could smirk again, but I don’t.

“This isn’t about me being right.”

“Are you feeling ok?” Bryce chuckles. “Does Eli have a thermometer handy to check your temperature?”

I have to smirk at that.

“Occasionally, even I can prioritise things correctly. Hard to believe, but it’s true.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Steady on. You’ll damage my reputation.”

This time, Bryce’s smile comes more easily.

I let myself enjoy it. I’ve missed making him smile.

“What about Alice?” I ask.

The smile fades right from his face. Disappears like a ghost has entered the room.

He looks towards the closed office door.

“She hasn’t accepted any viewings since the auction.”

“What viewings?”