His Slave

51. Apology

James

I trudge up the stairs, mentally preparing myself for what I'm going to do.

I told Erin I was going to take a nap, but really I came up here to call Charles Underly and apologize. Not because I regret punching him in the face.

No. I don't regret that at all. I've wanted to punch him out for a long time and it felt damn good.

I'm doing this for Erin. Maybe if he thinks I'm remorseful he won't do something irrational.

I can only hope.

I step into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. It takes me a long moment to pull my phone out of my pocket.

He doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve to feel vindicated. He's a cruel, power-hungry, egotistical wretch with no empathy and no conscience. If anything I should be calling to cuss him out. Maybe that's what I'll do instead.

No.

I can't do that. If I do, he'll find some terrible way to get his revenge, mostlikely at the expense of Erin's happiness.

And I'm not willing to let that happen.

With a heavy sigh, I unblock his number and press the call button. The phone rings a few times before he answers.

"I'm surprised you're calling me," he spits, the anger apparent in his voice.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, taking a deep breath.

"To what do I owe this momentous phone call?" Charles asks ruefully when I don't answer.

I sigh. "I owe you an apology," I state, rubbing the back of my neck nervously. It takes every single ounce of humility I can muster to say the words.

He most certainly does not deserve an apology from me!

I'm doing this for Erin.

Charles laughs. "I didn't realize you were capable of feeling regret," he retorts.

Oh, I'm perfectly capable of regretting my actions. You're the piece of shit with no conscience!

That's what I want to say to him but I can't. I ball my free hand into a fist.

"I felt terrible for the way I acted earlier, and it wasn't alright," I tell him, trying hard not to grit my teeth.

Apologizing to this asshole is more painful than I thought it would be.

I take another deep breath. "I'm sorry," I tell him, my fingernails digging into my palm.

Mr. Underly is quiet for a moment. "I accept your apology, but if you ever, ever treat me that way again, I will be pressing charges," he says.

"I understand," I agree. But charges aren't what I'm worried about. He could press a thousand charges against me and I wouldn't give a damn.

Erin is the one I'm worried about.

"But, don't you ever call Erin a bitch again," I add. "That was not her fault, it was mine." I'm clenching my jaw so tight, my neck is starting to hurt.

"Fair enough," Mr. Underly replies nonchalantly, as if he doesn't even care that he said that about her.

Fucking asshole.

"You are not to share anymore confidential information with Miss Ricoletti. Are we clear?" He asks.

"I won't," I lie just to give him what he wants.

"I'm serious, James," he spits back. "I'm warning you, there will be severe consequences."

I roll my eyes. "And I'm telling you I'm not going to tell her any more sensitive information," I reply, trying to keep the bite out of my words.