Page 8 of Broken
Her phone buzzed and she flicked her gaze to the screen.
Another message from Mac waited in the app. “You ghosted on me, then, months later, you expect me to show?”
Jacqueline hit the reply button. “I didn’t expect anything,” she typed. Then, to herself, she mumbled, “What a jerk.”
He had a point, though. She had been so wrecked over what happened, she hadn’t divulged her epic, career fail. Instead, she told everyone she had an out-of-town work assignment, which was true, and she bolted.
After staring at their messages, she typed out another text. “I got transferred to San Fran for work, but I’m back for the weekend. If you want to meet up for a drink, great. If not, I get that. We had fun, but it was NO big deal.”
She sent it, then carefully lifted little Loki. Sleepy brown eyes fluttered open and she cradled the dog against her chest. After a few seconds of puppy cuddling, she set him down next to Cleo. Mama lifted her head, then relaxed back down, all six of her babies by her side.
Jacqueline stared at them for the longest time. Cleo knew exactly what to do. No instruction needed. Would she be that kind of mom? She wasn’t even sure she wanted kids. She wasn’t against having a family, but it wasn’t on her radar either.
As she turned out the light and quietly closed the door behind her, her phone buzzed again with a message from Mac.
“I’m pissed, but I’ll meet you.”
“Can’t wait,” she replied. “You fuck the BEST when you’re angry.”
“Fuck you? NEVER GONNA HAPPEN, HONEY.”
As Jacqueline made her way upstairs and into the guest room, she couldn’t help but crack a smile.
Then, why in the hell are you meeting me? You wanna catch up over a cup of tea? I don’t think so. Fucking is the only thing we did, and we did it soooo good. I’m asking you for a booty call, baby, and you just accepted.
3
JACQUELINE’S SISTER
Prescott
Early Friday morning, Prescott stopped at the guard station, held his badge in front of the scanner, and the gate rose. As he drove through Armstrong Enterprise’s nine-building complex, he thought about Jack.
Sure, he was pissed, but he wasn’t stupid.
He was so confident he was getting laid that evening, he reserved a private room at Asylum. Why else would she have contacted him?
He’d never met anyone like her. She was sexy, wild, and so damn beautiful. His cock twitched as he exited his truck.
He’d been putting in too many hours at Armstrong, and doubling up on missions from Z. He needed an escape, and the fiery, auburn-haired clubber with the insatiable appetite was the perfect way to unwind.
After parking at his building, he strode through the lot toward the front door.
Eight months ago—when his life had gone off the rails—he took his rightful place at the company that bore his name. Beyond his seat on the board, he never envisioned a life in corporate America, but here he was… Armstrong Enterprise’s Chief Operating Officer.
As COO, he oversaw every department. While it was a huge undertaking, he threw himself into the new position when his dream job had evaporated into thin air.
Unfortunately, some employees didn’t like that the rightful heir had waltzed in at the top, instead of starting at the bottom, like everyone else. Fortunately for him, he didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought of him. They could stew in their own piss while he managed the family’s thriving business.
He said good morning to the crew of receptionists before entering an elevator. As the doors were closing, his VP of Marketing hurried over. Prescott shoved his foot between them, and they slid back open.
“Thanks,” Lorenzo said. “How’s it going?”
Prescott tossed him a nod. “Busy day?”
“Always,” Lorenzo replied.
The elevator ascended, stopping for both on the top floor. The doors opened and Prescott gestured for Lorenzo.
