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CHAPTER 1

Asher

“I don’t care what it takes to get those per up straighter in my chair “If you don’t have them by the close of business today, consider yourself fired”

My voice carries through the doorway ofthe living rooo abruptly silent

“I’ll handle it,” Jay Maher, er, replies tersely My threats aren’t idle, and he knows it—just like he knows he fucked up on this deal big time

“Yes, you will,” I acknowledge quietly before disconnecting the call I fully expect the permits to be obtained, even if Jay has to sell his soul to the devil to get it done But that’s not my problem

Glancing at the clock onacross town Punctuality is important to me My father always says, “Respect of time will pay you back tenfold” Not sure what he means by that, but he loves to drop little pearls of wisdoht Investross revenues exceeded just over fifty million When he passed on the helht—he did so with expectations I would increase that figure substantially every year

I had no desire to disappoint him, but more than that, I wasn’t about to disappoint myself My one major failure in life rewiredthe only options So far, they have served me well

Reaching my hand out, I brushat Michelle’s sunny California beauty—golden-blonde hair, summer-blue eyes, and wide smile—makes me sad

Bitter even

I tear my eyes away because her expression sometimes mocks me At other times, she seems to pity me

It’s rare to see her photo and feel peace or happiness, or even remember fond s

She took that all away from me

Pushing up frorabarea of o, I e of twenty-seven