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“Alistair!” he says cheerily, standing and sticking out a hand. “Thanks for sitting down with me!”
I ignore his outstretched hand and take a seat across from him.
“What is this?” I growl quietly. “Taylor and her team are your liaisons with the firm.”
Ansel clears his throat, withdrawing his unshaken hand. He stays standing, though, and I really, really don’t like the way he’s looking down on me with this smug expression.
“I thought you and I should meet to…” He shrugs. “You know, clear the air.”
“My air is perfectly clear,” I growl.
Ansel smiles patronizingly. “Alistair, please. I know you’re not my biggest fan.”
“I don’t follow my clients like sports teams. I’m neither a fan or not a fan of anyone I work with.”
But I do think you’re a piece of shit.
His smug grin just grows wider as he stands there.
“Alistair, I know you objected to me working with Crown and Black.”
I mean, I did, but I sincerely doubt Gabriel would have mentioned that. He’s just guessing, knowing that I don’t like him.
“I’m afraid you’ve been misinformed, Ansel,” I say coldly. “Now, what did you want to discuss?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing, really. I just wanted us to…clear the air.”
“Consider it cleared,” I grunt, standing and turning to the door.
“You’ve done quite well for yourself, Alistair.”
I stop, turning to eye him coolly.
“I mean, I’m stunned by what you’ve accomplished with this firm. It’s truly impressive. For an orphan, I mean.”
A whining sound hums in my ears. My jaw tightens.
Ansel grins. “Normally it would take someone with real pedigree to open a firm with this sort of power and prestige. So, I applaud you, Alistair.”
Keep it up, motherfucker.
“As much as I’d love to pretend we’re still in college and have time to trade insults, Ansel,” I mutter, “I’m afraid I have work to do.”
He nods. “Of course. I was walking through your offices the other day, and I was amazed at how busy everyone seemed!” He grins that smug, condescending smile at me again. “It’s truly wonderful what someone like you has accomplished here.”
Someone like you.
My eye twitches.
“And the wildest thing,” he continues, “is who I saw the other day, when I was walking through your offices!”
“Oh?” I grunt.
He chuckles. “I had to do a triple-take, but fuck me if it wasn’t Eloise LeBlanc. Working here, at your firm!”
“Indeed,” I growl.
Ansel beams at me. “Wow…I guess that was one way to get her, huh?”
