Page 157 of The Broken Keys

Slippery Surrender & Tender Truths

When you know you should walk away, but the lie tastes sweeter.

I’ve been here at the office since six this morning, trying to catch up on work I can’t concentrate on. It’s now three hours later, and my staff is filtering in.

Natalie opens my door and peeks her head in. “Good morning. I was checking if we’re staying on schedule today, or if you’ll be putting your meetings off again?”

“Good morning, Natalie.” I rest back in my chair. “Why don’t you say what you actually came in here to say?”

“If you insist.” She approaches me with a mug of hot coffee and places it on my coaster. “I figured I’d disarm you by brightening your day with some much-needed caffeine.”

“You know me well.” I smile to show her I’m open to hearing her out. “Sit and tell me what you’re in here to discuss.”

She moves one of my side chairs closer to my desk, takes a seat, and peers at me. “How blunt can I be?”

“As blunt as you need.”

“Very well.” She straightens her back. “I know Livianna needs help right now and you want to be the one to do that, but Jaxon…she’s taking up too much of your time. It’s overkill if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you. You’re volunteering your opinion.” I hold Natalie’s stare. “How much time would you give someone you’ve mentored after an accident threatens to take everything they’ve worked for?”

“Is that the only reason you’re helping her?”

“Why else would I be assisting her?”

Natalie tilts her head and gives me a knowing look. “Jaxon, I’ve worked for you for years. I know when you’re being strategic and when you’re being reckless.”

“And which am I being now?” I lift the mug to my lips and take a sip.

“Both.” She crosses her legs and folds her hands in her lap. “You’ve cleared your schedule to be available for her.”

I place my drink down. “And?”

“And you spent an entire day yesterday walking her through her business operations. You’ve been distracted, short-tempered with clients, and this morning you snapped at Andrew for asking a reasonable question about the Malaysia debacle.”

“So, you’ve been speaking to Andrew?”

“Yes. He called after you hung up with him and asked me what was wrong with you.”

“And just what did you two talk about?”

Her voice softens, but doesn’t waver. “You’re running yourself into the ground for a woman who doesn’t even remember you exist beyond being her mentor.”

The words land like a knife between my ribs. My throat constricts and I swallow the pain of acknowledging that.

“She needs support during her recovery. I’m providing it as someone who’s invested in her success.”

“Jaxon.” Natalie leans forward, her expression shifting from professional concern to something far more personal. “I know you were involved with Livianna.”

The air leaves my lungs. My spine goes rigid and every muscle in my body locks into place. The silence stretches between us, heavy and damning.

“Natalie, I don’t know what you’re?—”

“Please don’t insult my intelligence.” She holds my gaze without flinching. “I’ve worked alongside you for years. I know when you started mentoring her, you spent more time with her than anyone else. Way more time than you ever have on any other mentee. And it has only increased over the past two years.”

“Natalie, you’re mistaken.”

“The blocked-out evenings and weekends with no explanation? Those only happened after you two got close. Or how about the way your entire demeanor changes whenever she’s mentioned? What about the fact that you moved back to the States within a week of each other? Did I misunderstand all of that?”