Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Vaughn raises his eyes again. “You know what? Maybe you should take your little slut somewh–”
That’s as far as he gets before Jameson’s arm rockets straight out. There’s a sound like brick’s cracking together and Vaughn is on his back, touching his cheek.
Jameson is looming over him, feet planted wide and hands bunched into fists. “Well?”
I’m not sure what Jameson is expecting Vaughn to say, but I’m also not exactly sure what goes through the heads of men who get in fist fights. Probably not a whole lot.
“Get off me,” Vaughn manages through clenched teeth.
Jameson steps off him and gestures, as if Vaughn needs reminding where the exit is. “If you’re planning to press charges, just contact our legal department directly.” There’s a dismissive tone to Jameson’s words, as if no part of him even expects Vaughn to do anything but go running to the authorities.
Vaughn glares up at him and gets to his feet, straightening his clothes. Griffon Vanderlesh is watching, along with a huge crowd of Landmark and Grey Wolfe employees, who have all gone completely silent. It’s not every day you see your boss punch out the son of your rival company’s boss, after all.
For a minute, I think Vaughn might actually try to hit Jameson back. Then he unclenches his fists and scoffs. “Fuck you,” Vaughn says, storming off without another word.
Jameson spreads his arms, smiling, as if nothing happened. “Who doesn’t love a good old healthy rivalry, right?”
There is a scattering of nervous laughter. Nolan emerges and gives Jameson’s shoulder a squeeze. “I promise Jameson won’t punch anyone else. Let’s all just get back to having fun.”
“Or else I’ll start punching!” Jameson announces, still smiling.
This time, his words get some real laughter and seem to break the spell the fight caused. The DJ turns up the music and people start dispersing to enjoy the party again.
“I feel kind of guilty about all that,” I admit once Jameson’s attention is back on me. “I hope I didn’t goad you two into that.”
“Nah,” Jameson says. He eyes his knuckles, which are red, but otherwise unscathed. “I may not typically be the punching type, but some guys really need to be punched. I think it’s the only medicine that will get through to them. Vaughn might be one of those guys.”
I grin. “I can’t believe I hired strippers to dance for him in front of everybody.”
Jameson matches my smile. “That was fucking amazing. You were amazing. I’m proud of you. Seriously. You handled that perfectly.”
“Thank you for letting me,” I say. “At first, I wanted you to jump in from the start. But I feel better. I stood up to him and spoke my mind. Maybe none of it sank in for him, but it felt really good to know I had the courage to say it. So, thank you for that.”
“Any time.”
“Hey,” I say slowly. “You told me I couldn’t know the full story behind you hating Vaughn–that it was part of your mystery. Do I get to know yet?”
He chuckles. “I guess a man of mystery has to eventually give up his secrets, huh?”
“That’s right. Spill it, mystery man.”
“When Nolan and I were just getting started, Landmark was already huge. We were making good ground and had already signed contracts with a few authors. Then, out of nowhere, we got resignation notices one after the other. Our agents were quitting and our authors were declining to sign with us on future books. Turns out Vaughn Vanderlesh was trying to get a good start with his father by spreading lies. I guess he figured he could make a good impression with Daddy by sabotaging an up-and-comer.”
“Wow. But what was he telling people?”
Jameson’s expression sours. “Lies. He claimed I was sexually involved with several of our female authors and employees. Simultaneously. He managed to convince people they would be next, and that I was only in the business to abuse my power and get into people’s pants.”
My stomach twists. I wish I could say I can’t believe him, but I can see Vaughn doing something exactly like that. Worse, I can see his father being proud of him for the idea. “What happened? I mean, you guys seem to have overcome it. How?”
“I managed to get everybody together and prove his stories were bullshit. The women he said I slept with came forward and verified we’d never been involved. It was a mess, and I don’t think I ever fully got the stain off my name, but we moved on. We got over it. Well, mostly. I’ve always wanted to pay that little asshole back.”
“I don’t blame you,” I say. “Thank you for telling me, though.”
We spend the next few hours finally enjoying the party. Jameson goes back to his piled high plate of finger foods and makes short work of them. He gets a picture of us with the costumed actors. We both laugh when I scream so hard I nearly pee myself in the haunted house because some jerk with a fake chainsaw pops out and starts chasing me. We even dance as the party starts to wind down and the first waves of people leave. First, we dance fun and wild and then we dance slow, with his hands all over me and our bodies dangerously close.