“Jamie told me she overheard a conversation between you and a woman named Francisca yesterday,” he calls to my back, and my steps slow.

I don’t know what’s worse—that he’s playing this game or that he’s bringing Franny into it.

“Does Barrett know Franny is pregnant?”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I snap, turning to face him, and he takes a step back, registering the threat in my voice.

“A story about Barrett’s recently divorced, unwed daughter having a child with a man she just met would be big news.”

“So your plan is to fuck over your friend in order to save your own ass?”

“I need to protect my family.”

“You don’t give a fuck about your family, Billy. If you did, you wouldn’t be having an affair with a woman who isn’t much older than your son. And you sure as fuck wouldn’t have her working in the office with you so that you can live out some twisted fantasy,” I spit out, and I watch him turn red.

“Watch how you’re talking to me, Dayton. I’m still your boss.”

“Did you forget that you’re trying to blackmail me into covering for you?”

“It would be temporary.”

“No.”

“Then I’m going to give News 8 the story about Francisca,” he says, and dread fills the pit of my stomach. I’m not worried about me. I don’t give a fuck about my reputation, but I know Franny would be devastated if her father found out that she’s pregnant from some two-minute news clip before she was ready to tell him. Right now, she’s under enough stress with this situation without adding public scrutiny to the mix.

“Fine,” I grit out.

“Thank you.”

“This isn’t a favor I’m willingly offering you, Billy. You’ve literally left me no choice.” I turn and start walking once again.

“I appreciate it all the same,” he says to my back.

I ignore him and lengthen my strides to put distance between us, just so I won’t do something stupid—like shove the golf club he’s still holding up his ass.

When I reach the area where everyone is waiting, Franny’s gaze finds mine, and she closes the distance between us.

“Is everything okay? Is Billy all right?” she asks, meeting me at the edge of the crowd. I hate that she’s worried about him.

“He’s fine,” I mutter, and her eyes roam over my face. I don’t know what she sees, but she nods and doesn’t ask more.