Fated Series. Book #2
"Be possessive of me, own me, keep me, because if you do then nothing and no one else can." - Maddox.
My name is Maddox Vallero, and I'm dead.
Well, that's not quite true. I'm alive in the breathing, walking, talking sense-but...
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Chapter 5 Our Sense Of Relief Sophia
I'm frustrated. No, actually—I'm pissed. Staring at Christian's latest round of contract revisions in my email, I can already feel the throbbing headache building at the base of my skull. The man is impossible. This is the eleventh version Maddox has redone, and still, Christian's managed to send it back with a list of nit-picky complaints. Every time I see the name "Christian," it's like a dark cloud settles over Maddox's face. Just the mention of Christian's name is enough to make Maddox's pale eyes turn stormy, like hurricanes brewing just beneath the surface.
And honestly, I get it. The amount of effort Maddox is put into this deal would frustrate anyone, especially when the owner seems to be dragging it out just for the sake of it. Christian's latest email is a perfect example: not only did he send back the contract covered in petty revisions, but he also had the audacity to write, "Re-advise on the structure of the financial department. Perhaps there's a better way of restructuring?"
I can already hear Maddox's reaction to this. Restructure? Christian has no idea that the second he signs the papers, Maddox plans to dismantle the whole damn thing. We're humoring him for one reason only—until he signs, he's got leverage, and he knows it. Maddox and Mateo are hell-bent on getting this company, and for some reason, they're willing to play along with Christian's whims to make it happen.
I print out the contract, the margins littered with Christian's endless scribbles—a nightmare of its own, and sighed, knowing I'll have to go in and break the news to Maddox. I brace myself, reaching into my drawer for the stash of M&Ms I keep for emergencies like this. I've learned that the fastest way to soften Maddox's scowl is to give him something to keep his pouty mouth busy. Chocolate-coated reinforcements it is.
But first, I'll let Mateo know. He asked to be kept in the loop with this deal, and it'll save us all some pain if he's prepared before Maddox explodes. Maybe he'll have a strategy or at least some advice. If I can get them talking through solutions before Maddox hears all the gory details, maybe it'll take the edge off his irritation.
I walk over to Abby, Mateo's assistant, who's working steadily at her desk. "Is your boss in?"
She looks up, her dark eyes assessing me. "He is. What's this about?"
"Christian's contract." Just the name makes her brow furrow. I can tell she's heard all about him.
She regarded me for a moment, her expression falling as she realized this wasn't a happy visit. She sighed just as deeply as I had when the email came through, then opened her drawer with a resigned look. I guess we all have our own tricks and tactics to handle our bosses.
"Here," she said, pulling out a packaged cookie. "Start with this. He's already in a terrible mood because his brother showed up on national news, of all places, drunk and stumbling out of a bar."
I cringed. "Ash?"
She nodded, handing me the cookie. "The one and only. I adore that kid, but he sure knows how to attract attention, and his brother is always left to clean up the mess."
