The elevator chimed. I stepped out. “I expect discretion,” he said, tone colder. “From both of you. I don’t need a headline saying that the newest CEO is sleeping around with one of Hayes’ heirs.”
“Then stop fueling gossip by calling me before 10 a.m. to ask if I’m fucking my boss.” I hung up before he could respond. My fingers were trembling, but my spine stayed straight.
Family dinners were going to be so fun moving forward.
Rose was already lying down on the couch when I got home, holding a pint of overpriced matcha ice cream. I slammed the door behind me.
“My father asked if I was sleeping withhisCEO today.” She blinked. “Wow. So, we’re just skipping foreplay and going straight to family trauma?” I collapsed next to her, groaning. “He called me to use the word ‘jeopardize’ on me, like I’m a walking HR liability.”
“Well, I mean,” she said in a very high pitch, “youaresleeping with the CEO. But he didn’t need to say it.”
“He said he expects discretion, that he doesn’t want a headline with this information.” Rose paused, then gave me the most deadpan stare imaginable. “Okay, but to be fair, you had sex with him at a work gala, Sam. And you have had office sex.”
I hit her with a pillow. “You’re not helping.”
“I’m helping you.” I took the glass and sighed. “He made me feel like I’d done something wrong. Like I was risking everything we’ve built for a man.”
“Are you?” I hesitated.
“No. I mean, maybe, emotionally? But professionally? I’m killing it. I negotiated a logistics deal today that made Cameron fist-bump me in the hallway.”
Rose smirked. “See? You can be brilliant and fuck a billionaire.” We sat in silence for a moment.
“I haven’t told Theo.” Rose raised a brow. “About the call?” I nodded.
“Oh, he’s going to be pissed.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
theo
Yesterday was easierthan I expected.
While it was one hell of a complication, I felt safer now. That was the right move. For me, for her, and for the company as a whole.
I leaned back in my chair, phone pressed to my ear, trying not to yell but fully failing at keeping my temper in check. “With all due respect, Max, you don’t get to interrogate Samantha about her personal life like she’s some college intern screwing around with the TA,” I said, my voice was probably way sharper than I thought, but he deserves it.
“She’s your daughter, not your property. And more importantly, she’s a grown woman who can make her own decisions by herself without the influence of anyone, let alone yours.”
A pause. Max said something smug and condescending about what was best for the company, optics, or what people were saying. I didn’t care. “No,” I saidcoldly. “This ismycompany now. You handed me the reins, remember? I’m the CEO of Hayes International, not your errand boy.”
He went quiet. Good. I stood and walked toward the window, the skyline bright and smug under the morning sun. “You don’t get to intimidate her, Max. Not as her father. Not as the former CEO. Not as anything.”
“Careful, Theodore,” he finally said. “You’re getting personal.” I smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
“It is personal to me.” I didn’t wait for him to say goodbye. I ended the call, tossed my phone on the desk, and took a slow breath, still vibrating with fury.
And then, like some perfectly timed plot twist, there was a knock. Sam. She stepped inside like she’d done it a hundred times, in wide-leg navy trousers and a silk blouse the color of my last rational thought. Her hair was down, her lips glossed, and I could only think about bending her over right here, right now.
“Bad call?” she asked softly, closing the door behind her. I ran a hand down my face. “Your father has a real talent for pushing my buttons.” She exhaled, walked to my desk, and leaned against it, right where I’d had her last week, legs open, mouth full of wit and wickedness.
“Let me guess,” she said. “He thinks I’m a distraction. Or a liability. Or just a girl who spread her legs for the CEO.” I stared at her. “He crossed a line.” She tilted her head. “Oh, he’s crossed a thousand.” Istepped around the desk. Closed the space between us. “Samantha,” I said. “You don’t have to explain anything. Not to him. Not to anyone.”
“I’m not planning to,” she said. But there was something in her eyes, hurt, maybe?
“I told him,” I said, voice low. “Thatthis, this is my company now. That he doesn’t get to treat you like that, daughter or not.” Something in her face softened a little. “You did?”
“I did. And I’ll say it again. To anyone.” She nodded slowly. “You really meant it when you signed those papers, huh?”
