Page 52 of The Twisted Beats

Andrew’s sitting at the table when I arrive. The hostess shows me to him. I thank her and she leaves.

“Andrew.” I sit, placing my briefcase on the chair beside me. “What did you figure out for today?”

He studies me. “Back up. I’m not starting with that when you’re in this state. What’s going on?”

I pull on my collar. “I had a difficult conversation with someone back home.”

“Business or personal?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I point to his open computer. “What were you doing before I got here?”

“More due diligence.”

“Nice. I like to hear that.”

“It’s my job, Jaxon. I do it every day.” He brushes his blondish-brown hair off his forehead. “It appears you won’t be any good at our investor meeting today.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“If you go in there like you are, you’ll have every party involved pull out.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You look like you’re ready to murder someone.”

I turn my head and growl. He’s right, but I can’t tell him what’s going on.

“Jaxon, just tell me, and we can figure out how to work around it.”

I fucking need to release something or I’m going to explode, so I inch forward as far as the subject matter goes.

I rest my arms on the table. “You know I mentor Livianna Hemings. Well, she’s about to?—”

“Stop the game, Jaxon. This has nothing to do with mentoring her and everything to do with how you feel about her.”

“It has to do with her actions and how she’s screwing upbig timeon one of her investments.”Namely me.

His unimpressed green-eyed gaze lands on me. “Okay, I guess today’s the day I come clean and tell you I know you two are involved.”

“I’m not denying that. I help her and have come to care about her. She’s like the sister I never had.” I almost throw up defending myself that way.

His face scrunches up, seemingly sickened by my words. “Yeah, if you fuck your sibling.”

I glare. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, but you’re in a sexual relationship with Livianna, so I doubt you see her as your sister.”

I don’t move. I just try to find a way out of this conversation. Nothing can get me out of it.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “Explain.”

“You’re not going to like it.”

“As if I’m enjoying any part of this day.” I huff out my annoyance. “Fuck, I haven’t enjoyed anything for over a week.”

“All right, Jaxon.” His shoulders tense. “I walked in on you having sex with her on your desk one night.”

“When was this?” I ask, but already know.