Page 81 of Risk
Of all times for this to happen… Shit, shit, shit. I want to ignore it, but if I do, that’ll lead to more problems. Hitting the answer button, I hold it up to my ear. “What?”
Leah slides off the massive beanbag. Her cat stares at me like he’s judging me.
“You sold BanditFX?”
“Yeah.”
“Jesus Christ, Mason. What are you thinking?”
“I told you I had everything handled.”
“You didn’t tell me you were handling it like that! Why didn’t you tell me? I had to hear about it from the fucking news. Seriously, Mase?”
“I can’t really talk about this right now.” Leah’s gathering her clothes from the floor, dressing faster than my mind can put together. She tosses my boxers and pants onto the beanbag and leaves the room. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Mason Finch, don’t you dare hang up on m—”
I hang up on her.
Stuffing my legs in my pants, I hop on one foot to chase Leah down. She’s made it to the kitchen already. Wicklow runs past me, and straight to her. “Sorry about that.”
She picks the cat up and hugs it. “Nothing to apologize for.”
“Nicole’s a… friend.”
“Good for Nicole.”
Is she jealous? “She’s only a friend.”
“Mason.” Leah lets her cat go again. “It’s fine. Why are you acting so guilty?”
Guilty? I didn’t think I was, but… okay, maybe I am. It’s just that Leah doesn’t know everything yet and telling her after fucking her seems like really bad timing. “She’s a family friend and a nosy bitch.”
“Okay.” Leah puts her hand on her hip and leans against the counter. “And?”
“And…” My cell goes off again.
Leah rolls her eyes. “Answer it, Mason.”
Without even looking at the screen, I take the call. “Yeah?”
“You’ve been busy, Mason.”
My mother’s tone triggers a trained reaction from me. My walls slam into place, and I keep aloof. “Always am.” Leaving Leah glaring in the kitchen, I head into the spare room to grab the rest of my clothes. “What can I do for you?”
By now, she’s received my letter attached to the paperwork drawn up by my lawyer.
“Do you still plan to attend the gala?”
“Of course. I gave you my word that I would be there.” But I hear what she’s not saying.
Her first-born son has no place at her side anymore. There will be no seat at the family table for me. I’m officially cut out.
“Fine.” She hangs up.
Numbness seeps into my body, starting at my face and spreading down my chest, arms, and legs. I don’t feel the fabric of my shirt as I button it. I don’t feel the floor beneath my feet as I walk back into the kitchen. I don’t feel my tongue when I say, “I’ll see you soon” to Leah, and I don’t feel the doorknob as I turn it and leave.
Risk is a wild thing. It can bring you everything you’ve ever wanted and take everything you have.