Page 115 of By His Vow

Nerves begin to flutter in my belly as I think about what tomorrow night might hold.

Callahan Enterprises are sure to steal all the awards on offer; it’s how these kinds of galas usually go for them. But I can’t help but think that Kingston has an even bigger show planned.

A plan involving me. A very public one to abide by my father’s wishes.

I sigh, unable to fight anymore.

“Yeah, okay,” I concede.

“Work will still be here next week,” he says with a sad smile.

“Everything is going to be okay here, right?” I ask. I don’t know the details about the reasons behind our father’s demands and sudden decision to merge with Callahan Enterprises, and to be quite honest, I don’t want to know. I just…I want Miles to have a future. One that he deserves. One that he’s worked his ass off for.

“Yeah, there’s nothing to worry about. KC and I have got this,” he says with a cocky wink.

“Hmm…that’s partly what I’m worried about.”

He shakes his head.

“You know, there’s a spare office up here now,” he says, shooting a look over my shoulder in the direction of Dad’s lair.

“Oh yeah, because that would go down so well.”

Miles shrugs. “It’s where you belong.”

“It absolutely is not, but I appreciate the sentiment all the same. You should get back in there.”

He nods once. “Call me later, yeah? I’m worried about you.”

“No need, big brother. I’m more than capable of handling shit myself.”

“I know. That’s why I worry.”

He kisses me on the cheek before turning back toward his office.

“Everything will work out, Tate,” he promises before slipping back into his room.

I sigh and my shoulders sag in defeat as I make my way back toward Judith.

“Oh my goodness,” she gushes the second she sees me.

She’s out from behind her desk before I can stop her and pulls me in for one of her signature hugs.

The second she squeezes me tight, I finally let go.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’ve got you,” she soothes. “Everything is going to be okay.”

29

KINGSTON

By the time I got home last night, Tatum was already asleep.

After seeing the state she’d left my kitchen in—on purpose, of course—I almost woke her, dragged her out there and demanded she cleaned up her shit.

But then I remembered what Miles said to me after she stormed out of our meeting earlier.

"I know it’s not in your nature, but be nice to her. She might be putting on a brave face, but she’s struggling.”