But screw him. Grayson wasn’t the only one who’d let me down today.
I sat down at my desk and touched up the eye makeup I’d cried off. I was finishing it up when my phone dinged with a text. I picked it up and saw that Grayson had returned my text.
I’d sent a message on the subway that said ‘Bring back my watch or we’re done.’
His return message made my skin crawl.
Grayson: I can’t. You don’t understand. I’ll replace it Viv.
I typed a furious message back.
Me: Gram gave me that watch. You sell it for drug money and I’ll never forgive you.
Grayson: I’m sorry.
More angry tears were welling in my eyes. My office phone rang and I picked it up.
“Hey, Viv. You okay?”
It was Charlene, the secretary I shared with another attorney. She was always looking out for me.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” I said. “Thanks.”
“Ben Broadwell just emailed me to say he can’t make the twelve-fifteen meeting.”
I sighed with relief. “Okay. Did he reschedule?”
“He’s getting in touch later about it. And Viv?”
“Hmm?”
“There’s someone on the way to your office. I didn’t catch his name. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and said—”
Kane came into view through the glass door to my office, his expression absent his trademark scowl.
“It’s okay, Charlene,” I said. “He’s here. I’ll see him.”
“Okay.” She hung up and Kane opened my office door.
“Hey. You busy?”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “No. Why?”
He walked in and closed the door behind him. I glanced at the big brown paper bag he carried.
“You were right.” He looked at me and waited.
“Yeah.” I was emotionally wiped out and didn’t have anything else to say.
Kane came over to my desk and leaned the backs of his legs against the side I sat on, looking down at me. He put two fingers under my chin and tipped my face up, our eyes locking.
“You’re upset,” he said.
“Yeah,” I repeated.
He took me by surprise by getting down on his knees next to my chair and taking my hands in his.
“I’m sorry I left. You were right . . . about Brooklyn and about me walking out. I’m trying to make it right by coming here.”
I reached for his cheek and cupped it, brushing my thumb over his dark beard.
“Okay. Next time don’t walk out.”
“I won’t.”
I sighed heavily. “I was feeling bad earlier because of you leaving, but then things got worse.”
He drew his brows together with concern. “How?”
“Grayson came over. He looked better, like he’d showered. He admitted he has a problem and . . . anyway, I thought we were making progress but then he used my bathroom before he left and I realized about ten minutes later that he stole my watch.”
Kane’s gaze iced over. “He stole from you?”
I nodded miserably. “It was a Bulgari. Probably worth quite a lot. It was my grandma’s last Christmas gift to me before she died.”
“Damn, Viv. I’m sorry. Does Grayson know that?”
“He knows. He was there when I opened it. Probably already pawned the pocket watch she gave him. Plus I texted him on my way here and reminded him. I’m not getting it back.”
“That fucking asshole.” Kane’s expression was grim.
“That watch is priceless to me. I’ve worn it every day since Gram gave it to me. She was so happy when I opened it and . . .” My throat tightened. “I’m just pissed. I feel like a doormat.”
“You’re not.” Kane wrapped his hands around my hips, still kneeling in front of the chair I sat in. “This isn’t your fault, babe. Grayson would do anything for his next fix.”
“But that’s so low . . . even for him.”
“Doesn’t get much douchier than that.”
I laughed and opened my arms to him.
“What?” He cocked a brow.
“The word douchier. Now hold me to make up for this morning.”
He pulled me close and spoke in my ear. “I’ll hold you all you want, but I also brought you something.”