“It’s been handled.The new assistant will be here later this afternoon.”Her expression says she’s won and never doubted she would.
“Fine,” I say reluctantly.
“I’ll expect a report showing profits trending upward within thirty days.”
“You expect that in thirty days?”
“Or less,” she says turning to leave.
Shit.I rest my head against the back of the sofa, close my eyes, and let out a frustrated groan.
“The desk is empty.Did your assistant call off today?”I open my eyes.
My brother, Oliver is in the doorway leaning against the frame, his hands tucked in his pockets.
“Grandmother fired her.”
“Because she wanted to sleep with you?”
“No.The truth is the woman had helped herself to jewelry and clothes as well as a luxury car and sent the bills to the company in my name.”
Oliver whistles.“She’s lucky all she got was fired but she’s not the first one lately.Grandmother is shaking up the company in all the departments.She fired the head of financial services, and I heard she’s making you the CEO of the resorts.”
“That’s her plan,” I say, still not happy with this development.
“That will involve travel and unfamiliar situations,” he warns.
He’s probably thinking about the day I came back as a different nine-year-old boy than the one I had been.
I force myself to stand and smile like everything’s okay.I’m good at wearing masks.I’m the Montclair who’d rather spend time fucking than shoulder any responsibility.I’m the charming playboy.I’ll accept that reputation over the truth I prefer to keep under wraps.
“I’m going out,” I say.
“To the club?”
In the private park by the company is a billionaires-only club where sexual fantasies are served along with alcohol and business deals.
“No.To get coffee.”
Oliver frowns.“You can have it delivered.”He watches me intently.Hovering, thinking he’s discreet with his worry.
“I’ll walk.”
“Then I’ll go with you.I need to clear my head.”
“Trouble?”
He grimaces.“Unfortunately.”
We take the elevator to the lobby.The gray skies give way to harder, more intense rain as we reach the doorman.He immediately gestures to his left.
My driver hurries over and opens a large black umbrella over us as we step outside.
I get into the back of the luxury car and glance at Oliver once we’re settled.“You said you have trouble?With what?Something you’re working on?”
Oliver scowls while wiping rain from his sleeve.“No.It’s thanks to that stubborn woman refusing to settle on a business issue.”
“Sutton?”
