Page 117 of Gilt

“But we’d be fine?”

“Yes.” He clears his throat, and I wish I could see his face. “But the people we employ won’t be.”

“Sometimes I forget how different you are from your father,” she says softly.

“That’s why I’ve decided to step in as interim CEO,” he announces.

I gasp loudly enough that everyone in the other room falls silent. Next time I’ll wear bells so they can hear me coming. Steeling myself, I wander into the kitchen.

Jameson shakes his head, not buying my casual entrance for a second. “Care to join in our family meeting, Duchess?”

“I’m not family,” I say dismissively. “I thought I’d see about some coffee.”

“Nonsense,” Evelyn pipes up. “Sit down. These topics concern you. I’ll get you some coffee.”

I head towards the bar stool at the far end, but Monroe moves to it, allowing me to sit next to Jameson. I try to hide my surprise at the thoughtful gesture, but it’s like I’m in the Twilight Zone.

“Catch Emma up.” Evelyn hands me a mug. I cup it with both hands, savoring the warm ceramic against my palms. Jameson gives me a rundown of what they discussed. I can’t bring myself to tell him that I overheard most of it already.

“That brings us back to the fact that I’m stepping in as CEO.” His gaze locks with mine, and he waits for me to speak.

“Okay,” I say, wondering if he wants more input or if he’s torturing me for acting like I haven’t already overheard all of this. But I’m less concerned with the fact that I’ve been caught eavesdropping. “Is that what you want?”

“That’s a really good question,” his mother backs me up. “You left business school.”

“I don’t know,” he admits after a long pause, “but it is my responsibility.”

I want to tell him to screw responsibility. He owes his father and the legacy he left behind him nothing. But sitting in this small circle, I realize that he’s not doing it for himself. Risking the company’s assets undermines his family’s financial stability.

Isn’t that the reason I’d stuck around the pawnshop for so long? The burdens we carry for those we love are the heaviest and hardest to release.

“Emma?” He wants my opinion, and for a split second, it’s as if we’re the only two people in the room.

“I’m with you,” I reassure him. “Do what you have to.”

“Then, for the time being, I’ll take over.”

Evelyn’s eyes flick to mine, and I catch a flash of approval that she quickly masks. That’s when it hits me that she wants Jameson to step in. So why did she remind him that he’d abandoned business school?

I clear my throat awkwardly. Despite my initial reservations—and a lifetime of being spoon-fed a hatred of the West family—I can’t take advantage of their kindness, even Monroe’s begrudging civility. When I have their attention, I begin, “I overheard. I don’t need help with lawyers.”

“Like hell you don’t,” Jameson growls, and all three of our heads swivel in his direction.

“Down, boy,” Monroe orders him.

Jameson glowers at her, his face a stony mask that conceals a raging storm of emotions I can only sense. “You don’t know everything. The situation…”

“Sucks,” Monroe finishes for him. “But don’t let Jamie fool you. We won’t know much until the press conference.”

“Except for that scoop from the DA’s office,” he reminds her.

“What scoop?” I do my best to ignore the fifties slang term.

“They’re leaving some information out during the press release today,” Monroe says.

“I bet it won’t be anything important,” I grumble.

That’s why Mackey came by—to watch me squirm. If she only knew that she’d left too soon.