Professional Restraint

48 Shit Creek

Liam

I glare down at the fired up woman blocking my way, but all of my attention is on Ella. The way she looked at me will forever be seared into my mind... and now she can't even look at me.

How did I even get to this point? I used to be so in control of every facet of my life, and now it's all spiraling out of control. I thought I had Russel all figured out... I had him blocked at every turn. Trenton Tech was untouchable... but I have a blind spot.

Ella.

Fuck! She's the thing I care about the most and tried to shield from everything, yet is paying the price. Secrets always have a way of coming out in the end...

I take a deep breath and shift my attention from Sophia to Ella as she practically hides in the background, hugging herself.

"Please, Ella, let me explain," I beg. "I know I should have—"

"For fuck's sake, man," Sophia snaps, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can't you see how upset she is? You had months to explain, but you didn't! Now it's blown up in your face and what? You think you can just charm your way out of this mess?" Sophia mutters something under her breath in Spanish, judging by the tone, some sort of insult.

Gritting my teeth, I force my anger aside. I can't blame Sophia for wanting to protect her friend. I have no right to be angry with her. "Soph, I have to try."

She purses her lips and studies me. There's no doubt she's judging me ten ways from Sunday, but at the same time, I see a sliver of pity.

"You need to go," she says after a pause.

"But I—" my protest dies seeing the determination in her eyes. "El? Is that what you want, too?"

Ella cringes and looks over as she considers my question. She drops her gaze and nods ever so slightly.

The small motion sucks all the wind from my sails. Until this moment I was sure if I could just talk to her, she would understand, but now?

Pressure on my arm draws me back to the here and now as Sophia pushes me back. Her expression is unreadable, but at this point I don't care.

"You should go," she says as she guides me out.

One look at Ella says the same as she stays huddled at the back of the room. I may have fucked up in the past, but this takes the cake.

Sophia closes the door, leaving Ella in the living room and us on the porch. Her frown speaks volumes.

"You—"

"I know, I fucked up. Don't you think I realize that?" I snap, balling my fists and turn away to lean over the railing. "Jeezus christ, how did it go so wrong..."

She sighs and moves to lean against the pillar beside me. "My guess is you pissed off someone powerful?" she asks, arching a brow.

I scoff at that notion. "Russel Renford is hardly powerful, but petty and weaselly... that he is."

"That cock sucker outed you?" She gasps, having caught on. "Is this over the buyout?"

I grunt and nod. "He was waiting in the boardroom when we got back. Gave me two offers... give him back his company or put him on our board."

Sophia snorts and shakes her head. "Tell me you didn't."

I glare at her, annoyed she thinks I would even consider it. "Contrary to this fuck up, I'm not an idiot."

She nods to herself and looks back at the door.

"You should have told her... El? She over thinks, but other times she's so oblivious, it's painful."