Page 58 of Shattered Throne
"Thursday works."
"Good." He nodded once. "I'll be in touch with the details."
The call ended. I stared at the blank screen for a moment, letting it sink in.
I'd done it. I'd actually done it. Twenty million dollars, locked down, no help from Sebastian, no one holding my hand.
I wanted to tell someone. Wanted to celebrate. Wanted to?—
Kim. I wanted to tell Kim.
I stood and walked to my office door. She was at her desk, typing something, her brow furrowed in concentration. She looked up when she sensed me watching.
"Everything okay?"
"The Titan deal finally closed." I couldn't keep the grin off my face. "We're signing next Thursday."
Her eyes widened. "Xavier, that's wonderful. Congratulations."
"Thanks." I leaned against the doorframe, reluctant to end the moment. "Couldn't have done it without you. Those reports you put together were crucial."
"I just organized the data. You did the hard part."
"Still." I held her gaze. "Thank you."
Then Kim looked away, breaking the spell. "I should get back to work. And you should probably tell Sebastian the good news."
"Right. Yeah." I straightened. "I'll do that."
I walked back into my office, but I couldn't focus on anything. The high of closing the deal had merged with something else, something that felt suspiciously like happiness.
I was in so much trouble.
At five o'clock, Kim started gathering her things.
I intercepted her at the elevator. "Let me give you a ride."
"Thanks, but I have to go to the bar."
"The bar?" I frowned. "I thought I asked you to quit."
"You did." She pressed the elevator button. "I didn't."
"Why not?"
"Because I need the money, Xavier. The arrangement helps, but it's not forever. I need to keep my options open."
The elevator arrived. She stepped inside. I followed. "Let me drive you there, at least."
She hesitated. Then nodded. "Fine."
We walked to my car in silence. I opened her door for her, earning a raised eyebrow but no comment. The drive to Rosie's took twenty minutes in evening traffic, and I spent most of it working up the courage to say what I needed to say.
"Quit," I said finally.
"We talked about this."
"I know. But I'm asking again." I glanced at her. "You're exhausted. You work all day, and then you work all night, and you never rest. It's not sustainable."
