Our Broken Pieces - M.E. Clayton Page 0,39

the ground, but of course, no such luck. Mystic was still as fucking beautiful as ever. Worse? Those curves I had abused when we were kids matured right along with the rest of her, and she looked like a goddamn hourglass in her professional blouse and skirt.

A fucking skirt I wanted to rip off her at the same time as I wanted to wrap my hands around her neck and watch her life fade out right before my eyes.

I watched as Mystic turned to Lorcan and said, “It’s possible Mr. Evans might prefer to work with someone else, Mr. Cavanaugh. Perhaps there’s another project you can put me on to…uh, showcase my abilities.” Mystic didn’t know that I knew why she was here, so she was trying to exercise as much professionalism as she could, even though Lorcan and I were past that part.

He looked over at me, looking for permission for something, and without knowing what it was, I gave it to him. Lorcan was my best friend, and no matter how much I hated Mystic and what she had done to me, I wasn’t going to undermine Lorcan in front of one of his employees.

“Ms. Anderson, I think working with Gage is exactly the perfect scenario to show me what you’re capable of. It’ll prove just how professional your capabilities are. If you can work with Gage, despite your history together, well, then, I suspect you would hold up to corporate pressure remarkably.”

Her eyes widened, catching onto Lorcan’s words about our past. That was my cue to finally speak to her. “Yes, Ms. Anderson,” I spewed venomously. “Let’s see if you can work with your boss’ business associate and turn out a successful project. I mean, I know your word is shit, but seems as if Lorcan here still has hope for you.”

The flush of her embarrassment covered her face completely. She chose to ignore me and face Lorcan instead. “Mr. Cavanaugh-”

He put his hand up, interrupting her. “Let me stop you right there, Ms. Anderson,” he said. “I assigned you this project even before I knew you were the girl who fucked over my best friend.” Mystic gasped and I smirked. “And, quite frankly, if he told me to toss your ass out on the street, I would. Especially, since I have cause after that shit you and Ms. Contreras pulled. But I am giving you a chance to prove yourself with this joint project, regardless of what’s between you and Gage. If you don’t think you can do this, tell me, and you can start your week off by looking for a new job.”

Mystic looked livid and it was a good look on her. I wished I hadn’t noticed, but I did. Hell, I couldn’t stop fucking looking at her. Still ignoring me, she asked, “And if Mr. Evans decides he doesn’t want to work on this project with me after all?”

I spoke before Lorcan could answer. “I’m not the one who has a history of being a liar and a coward, Ms. Anderson,” I bit out. “If I give my word on something, I see it through. To the fucking end.” I wasn’t just talking about the project and she knew it.

“Look, that’s the deal,” Lorcan told her. “Take it or leave it, I don’t care. You have five seconds to decide.”

I could see the panic flash in Mystic’s eyes. I knew nothing about her these days, but everyone needed to work. My assumption was that she couldn’t afford to lose this job any more than the next guy. However, as much as I wanted to torture her-and make no mistake, my dick twitched with the idea that I held her professional fate in my hands-I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t kill her by the time this project was presented. The hell I’d pawn it off to an associate now.

“Uh, of course, Mr. Cavanaugh,” she replied, a tremor in her voice. “It’s not a problem.”

Liar.

Lorcan looked over at me. “Are you good with this?”

“If she can do the job, it’s not a problem,” I told him. “If she proves to be dumber than a box of rocks, then we’ll have to revisit.”

And just when I thought Mystic was going to just stand there and continue to take the verbal abuse, she surprised me. “Let’s get one thing straight, Mr. Evans,” she snapped. “Our past is just that-the past. And while I am going to do my best with this project, regardless, I will not tolerate your