forty-one

Tessa

The sun is up, and I have several phone calls to make. Kyndal is first on my list.

Watching Dante leave last night hurt like hell, but I know it’s best for both of us. Once this is all sorted, maybe we’ll have a chance.

I pick up my cell and search through the call history until I find her number. Then, I tap it and wait for it to ring.

“Hello?”

“Kyndal, it’s Tessa.”

“I trust you’ve given our last conversation some consideration.”

I wish the snarky bitch were standing in front of me. I’ve never wanted to knock someone on their ass so bad in my life.

I do my best to maintain my composure and not speak to her through clenched teeth. “You might say that.” I take a deep breath. “I’ve discussed it with my attorney, and I’m happy to offer you a settlement.”

“How much are we talking?”

Anger burns in my veins, and I remind myself not to let my emotions get the better of me. “One million seems fair.”

“Well, I suppose that will do.” I hear what sounds like ice clink in a glass in the background. “When can I expect the funds?”

“There’s a stipulation,” I say. Then, I drop it on her. “You’ll need to come to Chicago to go over the paperwork. You can bring your attorney if you’d like.”

“All right. That sounds fine.”

“I’d like to get the matter resolved as soon as possible.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“Monday then?”

“In two days?” She coughs.

“Is there a problem? You do want the money, don’t you?” I smile into the phone, knowing I’ve got her where I want her.

“I’ll make it work.”

“Perfect. I’ll text you the address.” I hang up the phone.

I immediately send Kyndal a message with the address for Dante’s office and instructions to meet me there on Monday morning at eleven. Then, I shoot off a text to Dante before calling Davis Marshall.

The weekend drags on, and when Monday morning rolls around, I’m both relieved and anxious.

I pick up my phone and dial Dante’s number.

“Hello,” I say when he answers.

“Are you ready for today?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Car horns blast, and I wonder if he’s walking to work. “I’m leaving shortly. Do you want me to stop for coffee?”

“No, Katie is setting up the conference room this morning, and I had her order pastries and coffee.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll head straight to the office after I get ready.”

“I’ll see you soon.” He exhales hard into the phone. “Tessa, try to keep your cool.”

“I’ll try.” Though I’m not making any promises. “See you soon,” I say and hang up the phone.

After I get ready, I hail a taxi to take me to Dante’s office.

When I arrive at Salinger and Salinger, it’s a quarter to eleven, and Davis is already in the lobby.

“Tessa, so good to see you,” he says, giving me a one-armed hug while holding his coffee in the opposite hand.

“You, too, Davis. Thanks for rearranging your day to be here.” I walk toward Katie.

She stands and pulls me into a hug. “The conference room is set up if you want to go on in. Dante is just finishing up a phone call.”

After a few minutes, Dante walks out of his office, looking like he stepped off the pages of GQ, wearing black dress pants and a cobalt-blue button-down shirt. He exchanges greetings with Davis and gives me a quick hug.

“Ready to go in?” Dante gestures down the hall to the conference room.

“Sure,” I say.

“Katie, when Ms. Montgomery arrives, please show her the way,” Dante says. “Max is in his office. If anything comes up, you can buzz the phone, but he should be able to handle it. Any new client calls, just take a message, and let them know I’ll get back with them later today.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Katie says.

“Max? He’s Trevor’s replacement?” I ask Dante.

“I wouldn’t say that exactly, but yes, Max is going to take over the field work,” he responds.

Part of me is relieved, but at the same time, I’m not sure how I feel.

We walk down the hallway into the large room. It’s anchored by a dark mahogany table in the center. I walk over to the counter and make a cup of coffee. It doesn’t escape my attention that, once again, Dante made sure the coffee creamer I use is on hand.

“Tessa, why don’t you sit here?” Dante points to the rich brown leather chair between him and Davis.

My guess is, he wants to stop me should I feel the need to throat-punch Kyndal, which is smart.

“All right.” I place my coffee on the table and then take my bag off my shoulder. I withdraw the file Dante brought over the other night.

We’re all settled into our chairs when there’s a light knock on the door. Katie steps aside, allowing Kyndal to enter the room. On her heels is a man I’ve never met, but he looks very familiar.

“Will there be anything else, Mr. Salinger?” Katie asks.

“No, thank you, Katie.” Dante waits for her to close the door before he stands. “Please help yourself,” he says, pointing toward the counter.

Kyndal saunters over to Davis and bends down, revealing her cleavage. “I haven’t had the pleasure. I’m Kyndal Montgomery. And you are?” She holds out her hand, like she expects Davis to kiss it.

He angles her hand to shake it instead. “Davis Marshall, Tessa’s attorney.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Marshall.” She gestures to the other side of the table. “This is my attorney, Michael Crestwood.”

Dante and I share a look. I’m not sure what the hell Kyndal is up to or what sort of game she’s playing, but we both know she’s lying. We’re just not going to call her out on it yet.

Kyndal’s eyes fall to Dante. “Dante, nice to see you again.” Then, she looks to me. “Tessa.”

“Kyndal,” I say through clenched teeth.

Dante squeezes my knee under the table.

“Let’s get started,” Dante says.

Kyndal takes her sweet time, making a coffee, before she takes a seat on the opposite side of the table, next to the man I know isn’t Michael.

On cue, Davis opens a folder, pulls out the document, and slides it across the table.