Jace
The gym is quiet this early.
Just the steady rhythm of gloves hitting the heavy bag.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
I like mornings like this. Clears the head.
Also gives me a place to think without twenty executives breathing down my neck.
My phone buzzes on the bench.
I ignore it.
Another punch.
Thud.
Buzz.
Another punch.
Thud.
Buzz.
Okay, fine.
I rip off the gloves and grab the phone.
Stephen calling.
Right on schedule.
I answer.
“Morning, sunshine.”
His voice explodes through the speaker.
“What the hell did you do?”
I grin.
“Wow. Not even a hello.”
“You think this is funny?”
“Depends,” I say, grabbing a towel. “What exactly am I being accused of today?”
“You know exactly what.”
“Enlighten me.”
There’s a pause.
Then he says the words like they taste bitter.
“Fina
