45
Jack
“What’s your choice?” asks Shawn.
I look down at my hands, clenched in fists, and I realize that there’s no choice at all.
“I don’t want your support,” I say.
“Listen, Jones —”
“No. I don’t want your backing, I don’t want your money or your contacts. I get this bid on my own merit, or not at all.”
“Not at all then.”
I nod. Probably. Then I make the choice that hurts most. Sissy was right, walking away hurts as much as someone leaving, it just hurts sooner.
“I can’t let you hurt Sissy.”
“Good choice.”
I stare at the closed door of the conference room. Then, “If you agree to leave Sissy alone, erase the video, sign a binding agreement…if you leave Sissy alone, I’ll do what you ask. I’ll never talk to Dany again.”
“Very good, Jones. Very good.”
He wins.
Then I shake my h
