Wicked Billionaire - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,78

but gape. It’s clear my father and Madison are somehow in cahoots, and he put this plan together to blindside me.

As my mind races, I barely notice Madison walking my way. She puts a hand on my chest, leaning in close so my father cannot hear her. “I personally like the idea of giving us another shot. I simply haven’t found another lover as good as you are in the sack, darling.”

I shove away from Madison, shooting her a glare I hope conveys exactly how fucking crazy I think she is. Looking at my father, I give a slow shake of my head. “This is pretty despicable… even for you, Father. But you both wasted a trip here. I am not now, nor will I ever, consider staying in this marriage.”

My father’s expression turns thunderous. He’s simply not used to people telling him no. “Even if it means I disinherit you?”

I know he thinks he has the upper hand with me, but I am not a fool. My worth to this company is apparent. I just sat through two days of board meetings, where most members looked to me rather than my father for guidance and leadership. “I dare you to try it.”

I have no clue how he even takes what I just said. It is not a bluff, but I have more important things to figure out. I turn on my heel and walk out of the suite, heading straight back up to my office.

Phone in hand before I even hit the elevator, I dial Bailey’s number. As expected, she doesn’t answer. I’m going to assume she is beyond furious and hurt, and she probably doesn’t want to hear my voice.

Tough shit.

I do not have time to work around her sensibilities because this shit is getting settled today.

I immediately send her a quick text. This time, I’m bluffing, but I hope she falls for it. I got your letter of resignation. I accept. You are, however, in possession of Blackwood property. I demand you come to my office and turn in your keys, your security badge, and your computer equipment. I will have release forms for you to sign. I expect you here by five PM.

I hit send, my gut churning because I know this is going to devastate her even further. Thinking I actually accept the fact she wants to walk out of my life.

I’m never going to let that happen, but I need to get her here to the Blackwood resort quickly so I can put an end to all this shit and get my life firmly back in hand.

CHAPTER 28

Bailey

Glancing down, I notice my hands are still shaking. I feel like I’m on a death march.

Why is it that when a woman has the right to be angry at a man and she calls things off, deep down, she hopes she was wrong about him? She has visions in her head of him pulling up in his limo under her window balcony à la Richard Gere in Pretty Woman to make a big public spectacle of his love for her.

Granted, I’ve been pretty pissed since meeting Madison Blackwood. I don’t quite think I had such romantic notions, but I think part of me expected Declan to try to convince me that I was wrong to give my resignation.

That I was wrong to give up on him.

Instead, I got a cold-blooded text telling me in no uncertain terms I was not worth fighting for. The only thing I can conclude is he was genuinely keeping this marriage a secret from me because he never had any intentions of staying with me for the long run. It makes me sick to think that I was played so well, and I didn’t even realize it. That’s twice now I have completely misjudged the situation with a man, and I vow I’m done with love.

With relationships.

Hell, I may decide to check into a convent when this is all said and done.

I almost texted Declan back to tell him to go fuck himself. I had lovely thoughts of me taking the keys, security badge, and iPad, then dumping them in the garbage and daring him to do something about it. But, ultimately, my professional sense prevailed. No matter how ugly things may be between us personally, I want a good recommendation from this company on my resume. If there is one thing I have learned from this it’s that I can do things I did not think I could.

I am actually