The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Violet

Silence slams into the room.

Heavy.

Tense.

Devin shifts slightly, clearly realizing this is not his lane, while Rowan says nothing, but I can feel his attention locked

onto me now. Watching. Measuring.

Theo exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Violet, it’s not that simple.”

“Actually,” I say, stepping closer, my grip tightening on the towel, “it is.”

His eyes flash with frustration. “You don’t know what’s going on-”

“I know enough,” I cut in. “I know she’s scared to tell you something because she thinks she’s just convenient to you.”

That hits.

I see it land.

Theo stills.

Just slightly.

“And I know,” I continue, softer now but no less firm, “that if you let her keep thinking that, you’re going to lose her.”

The words hang there.

Sharp. Real.

Unavoidable.

Theo’s expression shifts, something flickering behind his eyes now. Conflict. Guilt. Realization.

Good.

Because I’m not done.

9

|||

O

63

1/5

Chapter 146

“You’re over here playing strategy,” I gesture vaguely around the loft, “handling everything else like it’s life or death-”

“Because it is,” he mutters.

“And so is this,” I fire back immediately.

That shuts him up.

“Her feelings? That’s life or death too,” I say, my voice dropping just slightly. “You don’t get to ignore the person standing

right in front of you because everything else feels bigger.”

Theo exhales slowly, tension rolling through him.

I take another step closer, my voice softening-but only slightly.

“Just because she walks around like she has the confidence of the sun,” I say, holding his gaze, “doesn’t mean she doesn’t

need reassurance.”

That one lands differently.

Deeper.

“She’s a woman,” I continue, steady and unflinching. “And reassurance is something every woman needs-whether we want

to admit it or not.”

Theo’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t interrupt.

Good.

“She needs you,” I say. “And right now? She feels like she’s a second thought. Like she’s somewhere behind all of this.” 1 gesture around us again, quieter this time. “Behind me. Behind Rowan. Behind everything.”

I swallow, then add, more honestly than I planned, “And while I appreciate what you’re doing-helping us, helping me-1

value Camille more than my reputation.”

That shifts the air.

Even Rowan goes still behind me.

I don’t look at him.

I keep my eyes on Theo.

“Sorry, Rowan,” I add, not even turning around, “but reputations can be rebuilt.”

BAY

9

| T

|||

O

<

2/5

Sat, May 9

Chapter 146

My voice softens, just barely.

“I can’t rebuild what I have with her. Not like this.”

The words settle.

Heavy.

Real.

Unavoidable.

Theo doesn’t move at first.

Doesn’t speak.

But I can see it.

The way everything clicks into place.

The way the weight of it finally hits him.

Behind me, I hear Rowan shift.

Feel him move.

Then suddenly, he’s there.

Close.

Too close.

His hand settles lightly at the small of my back, not pulling me away, not stopping me-just there. Grounding. Possessive.

A silent reminder.

Mine.

But he doesn’t interrupt.

Doesn’t interfere.

He lets me continue.

SAT

9

O

3/5

Chapter 146

Which says more than anything else could.

Theo looks between us, then back at me.

And for the first time since I walked in-

He looks… unsure.

“What do you want me to do?” he asks finally.

I don’t hesitate.

“Go downstairs,” I say. “Look her in the eyes. And tell her exactly where she stands with you.”

His jaw tightens. “And if I don’t have the right words?”

“Then figure them out,” I say simply. “Because if you don’t, someone else eventually will.”

That one hits harder.

I see it.

Theo goes still for a second.

Then-

He nods.

Once.

Sharp. Decided.

And without another word, he turns and walks out.

Just like that.

Silence fills the loft again.

Devin lets out a quiet breath. “Well,” he mutters under his breath, “that was-”

“Enough,” Rowan says calmly.

Devin shuts up instantly.

00

6

OT

<

4/5

11:54 Sat, May 9 MD

Chapter 146

And then-

Rowan’s attention shifts fully back to me.

His hand at my back tightens just slightly.

Comments

3

Write Comments

<SHARE

#00

9

|

|||

O

5/5

11:54 Sat, May 9 M

The CEO Above My Desk