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Unfortunately, as much as I hate it, I already know the answer. I can’t stay with a man who might be faithful to me but never loyal. A man who will never put me first, especially when I feel so perilously close to giving him my heart.
“Sloan?” Rina, my new assistant, says over the phone’s intercom. “You have a visitor.”
“Who is it?” I’m not expecting anyone, and I really need to focus, especially since we’re implementing the first phases of our launch strategy for the Wynam account. After the state Shane left the company in, it’s far more problematic than I expected. I have a mountain of work.
Suddenly, the door to my office opens and shuts. “It’s your father.”
I look up to find Bruce Rawson standing a few feet away. He’s lost more weight since I last saw him, and his skin tone is an unhealthy shade of gray. But today he’s got an unexpected sparkle in his eyes, and he’s smiling big.
Why the hell is he here?
“Hello, Mr. Rawson. What can I do for you?”
Technically, I have to listen. He still owns the company, and I’m merely interim CEO. I hope that since I landed the Wynam account and I’m reviving the company financially, he’ll promote me permanently…someday.
“I can’t come visit my favorite daughter?”
I frown. I’m his only daughter, and he’s never been remotely interested in recognizing me until now. What is he up to? “I think while we’re in the office, we should leave the secret that I’m your illegitimate daughter between us.”
“Why? I’m so proud of the job you’re doing. I want to tell the whole world!”
Once, that would have thrilled me. I wanted his attention and acceptance so badly. I was sure that if he got to know me, he would love me. But I realize everything is about him, and I’m beyond annoyed. “I appreciate your vote of confidence in me as a CEO. I’m doing what I’ve always done—helping this organization thrive to the best of my ability. But if you tell the world now that we’re related, everyone will assume you promoted me merely because we’re related. All that will do is undermine me and hamper my ability to do my job.”
Rawson frowns. “Baby girl…”
He’s never called me that before, and I think I’m going to puke. He only wants to acknowledge me now because I saved his ass? “With all due respect, sir, I would prefer you to call me Sloan.”
“Absolutely. Whatever you want.” He winks. “But you’re still my baby girl. Smart like your dad.”
No, I’m smart because I’ve had to be, but contradicting him serves no purpose. And I don’t have the energy today. “Thank you.”
“It’s obvious, really. Only someone with my genes could have fended off Stratus’s hostile takeover so masterfully.”
I fended them off because I was so horrified that Sebastian had nearly duped me into falling for him and so hurt that, despite telling me he loved me, his heart belonged to another woman. So I made something happen. It had nothing to do with my father crashing my wedding and demanding I act. I did it purely because the thought of merging with Stratus and staying with Bas if he would never truly be mine hurt too much.
But since last night, I’m having second thoughts.
“And”—he adds with a swaggering grin—“now I know you’re brilliant enough to be my daughter.”
Is he saying that super-scientific DNA test we took when I was a teenager didn’t convince him, but my recent moves with his business did? And how does he explain Shane?
I fight not to roll my eyes. “I see.”
“So you’ve heard the news?”
News? All morning, I’ve been chugging coffee, trying to lose myself in work, and fighting the urge to cry over Sebastian. “No, I’ve been busy.”
His grin turns more dazzling. “You’ll love this. Whatever you did to that cocky bastard you married worked.” He opens his phone, and my heart starts thudding. “This is from today’s business news. ‘Following the unsuccessful merger of Stratus Storage Solutions and Reservoir, Inc., Sebastian Shaw has resigned his position as CFO, effective immediately. No word on his replacement. Sources close to billionaire CEO Evan Cook report that the split was abrupt but amicable.’” Rawson darkens the phone. “Ha ha! You chased the bastard off!”
Shock rolls through me. But I know instantly that Mr. Rawson is wrong. Sebastian isn’t afraid of me, so I certainly didn’t cause him to tuck his tail between his legs and run because he’s afraid. He loved his job. I know he would—literally—do anything for Evan. They’re tight. They’ve been together for years.
Why would Sebastian suddenly walk away from all that?
Did he do it to prove a point to me? My foolish heart trips over itself with hope.
“That is truly interesting,” I say in my most neutral voice. “Is there anything else you needed?”
He wags a finger at me, that grin still big. “Playing it close to the vest. Smart girl…”
