Chapter 7: One Last Wild Ride

                       ••~~CORIAN~~••

Driving after a run usually cleared my head. Made me feel quiet. Spent. Done. Completely drained.

But today?

Even though I’d pushed more miles than usual,

My body buzzed like I’d downed four espressos. Mind racing. For the first time in a long time, I was… Curious. Really curious.

Who the fuck hurt her like that?

Some coward, no doubt. One of those weak-ass men who only feel powerful when they break something soft.

My grip tightened on the wheel. Jaw locked.

No man gets to ruin her.

Not unless it’s me.

I wasn’t made to hold anyone like that. Especially not for a hired escort. But last night? Like… hey, I’m Corian Van Halen. The Trojan. Who the fuck was that guy? My arms wrapped around her like I was afraid she’d vanish. Like I wanted to protect her. Like I actually fucking cared.

Damn.

Something’s off.

I need to see Shawny. As soon as possible.

A buzz snapped me out of the spiral. Dr. Avi. Of course.

I tapped my earbud. "Avi."

"Corian! You sound out of breath, don’t tell me you’ve been running again."

"You calling every ten minutes won’t stop death." I muttered.

He laughed. "Hey, I get paid well to keep you alive. And, you know, you’re my favorite patient."

That voice. So annoyingly patronizing. Like I was already on the way out.

I hated it.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m not dead… yet.”

“Yet?” he teased. “Corian, I swear, sometimes I think you want me to panic.”

I groaned. “You already do. That’s half the fun.”

Avi diagnosed me a year ago with a rare autoimmune condition. So rare, there’s no cure, no clear symptoms, just a silent killer hiding inside me. Basically, according to medical science and my annoyingly chipper doctor…. I’m a walking time bomb. Could go off in my sleep, at a café, mid-laugh… anytime.

Cheery stuff, right?

I could hear that sigh over the phone, and don’t even think about the eye roll.

"Really, how are you doing, Corian? You sound… on edge.” Avi probed, in his usual ‘I’m your doctor tell me the truth’ voice.

“Didn’t have the night I expected,” I muttered, twisting my neck. Trying to shake it off.

I didn’t realize I’d gone quiet till Avi’s voice broke through. “Do I want to know about it?”

Cuddling my escort with the world’s bluest balls?

“Heck no!”

“Sticking to the plan… taking your meds, Corian?”

“It pisses me off when he does this; like I’m some experiment he’s got to monitor 24/7.

“Avi...” I groaned.

“Corian... those meds are important. They suppress your symptoms.”

Yeah, yeah. Heard it all before.

Truth is, I’ve been thinking of ditching those little red suckers anyway.

They drain me out. Make me feel like a deflated tire. And Lord knows I need every ounce of energy for what I’ve got planned over the next thirty days. Every single ounce.

So yeah… I’m definitely not telling him my escort dumped my pills straight in the sink. He’d probably shoot a new bottle into my car right now if I asked.

“I’ve got a meeting,” I cut him off.

“Corian….”

Click.

I hung up before he could say more. I didn’t wait around for him to lecture me. Parked. Slid on my sunglasses. Then walked into The Breakfast Club like I owned the damn place…. Because I did.

I took off my glasses.

Harvey spotted me immediately. Stood. His face said what his mouth hadn’t yet. Bad news.

"You look like hell," he said.

“You should see the other guy,” I slid into the seat across from him, pretending I didn’t look like a train wreck. Which I kind of did.

Serves me right, go to bed with a boner and wake up pretending a marathon jog could fix it.

"You’ll want to see this."

Harvey shoved a black folder across the table. I straightened out, flipping it open.

"Victoria and Vance are making moves behind your back. Trying to take the company. Your son’s in on it too."

Emails. Screenshots. Meetings. All behind my back. My soon to be ex-wife and my vice president were trying to steal my company.

I snapped the file shut. "Expected."

Harvey blinked. "That’s it?"

"Vance has wanted Halen Inc. for years. They know my health situation. This was only a matter of time."

"Jesus, Corian. They’re your family and they are acting like you already passed out. Doesn’t this mean anything to you?"

I leaned back. "My family hates me. I wasn’t a great husband. Or father. Never gave Victoria more than wealth and a cold bed."

Harvey slammed his palm on the table. “Oh, come on, Corian! They hate you for something that was never your fault. Sure you are not perfect, but you protect them like the damn military. And now what? They’re stealing from you? Like vultures picking at the hand that feeds them!”

I shrugged. "They can have it all." Doesn’t matter to me.

His voice rose. "You’re giving them everything?"

"You come in with nothing, Harvey. You leave with even less."

He stared like he didn’t recognize me. And maybe he didn’t. Hell, maybe I didn’t either.

"She’s pushing for more, you know? Divorce terms change every day. Hamptons house, the cars. She’s bleeding you dry."

"Let her. I won’t be here to care."

"What about your son?"

My jaw tightened. "I let him down. I earned his hate."

Harvey’s voice dropped. "Fight back. You have to."

"No. That’s an order. Give them whatever they want. Don’t call, don’t text. Handle it. I’m taking the month off."

His brows lifted. "What’s going on?"

I gave a half-smile. "Bye Harvey."

He didn’t answer right away. Just looked stunned.

"You disappearing won’t fix this."

"Wasn’t trying to."

I stood. Slowly, deliberately.

"You gonna tell me where you’re going?"

"Nope."

Outside, the sun was doing the most. I slid into my car. Taking a deep breath. And as soon as my hand hit the keys…

Maddison Summers. That girl… she trembles like a nun, but those innocent eyes don’t fool me.

Sure, I’m not her first… she’s teased, played, and tempted plenty of guys before me. And with that body? Bet she’s one of those nuns who get filthy under the sheets. And damn… I’m curious to find out… just how far can she go?