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CHAPTER 57
CASSIE
Cassie smoothed her gray skirt and tried to calm her nerves. She was flattered Leo wanted her with him, but this was different from attending his grandfather’s birthday party. The idea of entering the Sutton building felt like an act of disloyalty to her father. But here she was, sitting beside Leo Sutton in his car, dressed in her best business suit, and headed to the Sutton Building where he would make a claim for control of his father’s company.
“You’re not betraying your father by coming with me.” Leo reached over and took her hand.
“How did you know I was thinking about my father?”
“Because you’re worried about him and his business.”
“I am.” She doubted her father would ever approve of Leo, and she didn’t want to have to choose between them. If she had to choose, it would always be Leo.
“After this is over, I’m going to have a long talk with your father.”
She turned her head to him. Before there was any conversation, her father needed to apologize to Leo. “About what?”
He flashed her an easy smile. “Everything will be all right.”
His smile and touch reassured her. No matter what happened in the meeting, they loved each other.
“I don’t understand it. He’s been awful to you, and you’ve always been kind to him. Why?” she asked.
“He’s a talented man and someone worthy of respect,” he said with a glance at her. “He’s also your father, and I don’t want to come between you two. You’re blessed to have parents who love you, Cassandra. I envy you.” Leo kissed her hand and returned his focus to driving.
His words deeply touched her. Leo had lost both parents, and he didn’t want to drive a wedge between her and her father.
Out of the corner of her eye, she admired his elegant profile and his broad shoulders. Seeing him so confident, she reminded herself how all the loss he experienced still haunted him. She’d been horrified by his story about Malcolm. She believed he would be successful today. Everything that had happened in the past had led him to this point.
“Here we are.” Leo parked in front of a multi-story limestone building. It had many classical details that suggested the past, but its massive glass windows indicated looking toward the future. It was a fascinating combination for a modern construction business.
Her father rented several floors at a prestigious Manhattan address, but he didn’t own an entire building named after himself. How had her father ever competed with the Suttons? The son of Greek immigrants, he’d worked hard to succeed. She had a surge of pride for her father’s accomplishments.
Leo handed the keys to the valet, grabbed his computer bag, and helped her from the car. “No backing down now.”
“Let’s do this,” she said, taking his hand.
She and Leo entered through the enormous glass entry doors and headed for the private elevator, her heels clicking on the marble floor. Even though anxiety churned through her stomach, she focused her gaze straight ahead and avoided eye contact with anyone.
The doors slid open, and they stepped inside. The doors closed, and they were alone again.
“I’m proud of you, Leo.”
He turned to her, and his right eye, without a contact lens, confirmed his authentic self. “I haven’t done anything yet. You might want to hold off on the praise until later,” he said with a tense smile.
“No matter what happens in the meeting, I’ll be there for you.”
“I know you will.” He leaned in and kissed her.
The doors slid open, and he took her through a series of hallways. He acknowledged the staff with a nod or a polite greeting, but he never stopped to chat with anyone. They reached a reception area near a room with huge double doors. This had to be the boardroom.
A tall, thin man rose from his desk. “Good morning, Mr. Sutton.”
“Good morning, Nigel.” Leo turned to Cassie. “This is Cassandra Papadakis. She’s going to wait in the reception area until the meeting’s over.”
“Very good,” he said with a curt nod, giving no reaction to her last name. Nigel turned his attention to Leo. “Everyone has arrived, sir. They’re waiting for you.”
Leo nodded and kissed her cheek. Their eyes locked before his expression shifted to something far more severe. His jaw clenched, and his attention turned to the boardroom. He was ready for war. With a final squeeze of her hand, he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
