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“He didn’t. He’s busy right now with Fay. He didn’t say much.”
“Busy. Again? What the hell are they doing?” I growled. “Never mind. Will you make sure he doesn’t drag it out? I want to see her, Thomas. I need to see, Fay.”
“I’ll keep you informed.”
“If he doesn’t want me seeing her, will you at least ask him if she can call me? Maybe you should just ask her and not him.”
“You know how this works. It all goes through Master Carmelo. I’ll let you know when I hear something.”
The line went dead, and I did lose it, then. Desperation was winning. The need for some form of contact on Fay and my child was winning over rationality. My fist slammed into the wall, disappearing through into the sheetrock. Pain flared, but I didn’t feel it. I saw red. More than red. It was taking everything I had not to get in my car and drive through the gate. Let them send the dogs. Let them tackle me down. One way or another, I’d see her. I’d make sure of it.
Days. That’s all I was giving him to decide. If I didn’t hear something soon, all agreements were off.
Chapter 15
Fay
The nausea was the worst. As my stomach clenched and purged itself of everything I’d managed to swallow for breakfast, I couldn’t stop thinking what a blessing I’d been given. Pregnancy wasn’t easy, especially mine, but I didn’t fret on that. This baby, no…this life, it was a gift. One I hadn’t seen at first, but one I was embracing now.
I flushed the toilet, grabbing the toothbrush I kept near the sink. The soft echo of voices continued in the background, but that only made me happier as I tried to hurry back. Business was what I lived for. It’s what I did. Never would I have expected to be paired with people as passionate about it as I was, yet I had. It was like I was living some sort of dream. One minute I lost everything—everyone, and the next, my world was filled with people, with a baby, and I had it all. Did I have my father to thank for this? Is this what he’d wanted when he asked Master Carmelo to look out for me if something were to ever happen to him?
I finished brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth out. As I stood, I turned, taking in my reflection in the mirror. My dark hair was pulled up and twisted in the back. The black dress I wore was fitted but gave enough stretch for the slight bump beginning to appear. It made me smile, but not for long.
Fourteen weeks I’d been without Aimon. Sixteen weeks pregnant. The first month after he left felt like an eternity. I cried, a lot. I could barely keep anything down at all. The days passed miserably, and I was so alone except for meals. Then Charles gave me that file. He gave me Lenstrum to fix. And I had. Since then, we had gotten into a feverish routine. It was good for both of us. He was still weak from the new medication, but me, well, I was pretty much over the worst part. I was happy. Thriving.
“I’m so sorry. Where were we?”
“Don’t apologize, dear. I was worried those food trays might trigger you. It was a battle: feed the baby or risk you getting sick. There’s no going back. The worst is behind you, so now you can feed the baby.” Master Carmelo patted the table in front of my seat, and I smiled, returning to my place at his side.
“I’ve gained nine pounds in the last two weeks. If I continue this, we’re asking for trouble.”
“Nonsense. A little weight never hurt anyone.”
“It’ll hurt this dress. Now, let me see here.”
I grabbed the paper, finding where I had left off. Charles handed me a cracker covered with cream cheese and I took it, never breaking my scan of the current figures as I took a bite.
“Did Carmelo Corp lower the interest on Deayson?”
“Lower?” Charles leaned over, glancing before taking a copy from Diane across the table. “There’s no way it was lowered.”
“I wouldn’t think so either, except.” I stopped, bringing my calculator forward and punching in the numbers. “What does it say for annual revenue? Is it the Forty-four billion?”
“It is. The numbers are right here.”
“Master Carmelo, Lady Fayette.” Diane brought her forearms to the table as she leaned forward. “If I recall, Mr. Brighten had a meeting with Deayson’s CEO last month. Perhaps the numbers were rediscussed and altered there?”
“A meeting?” Charles barked out. “I was never told about any meeting with Deayson. Our contract is firm. Final. The percentage doesn’t change.” He shifted in his seat. I looked over, seeing his fatigue. “Call Brighten and have him account for the numbers. We may be looking to replace him after all. Weasel. Every single one of them. You can’t trust no one these days. Remember that, Fayette. No one.”
Coughing filled the room, increasing as the seconds went on. I leaned over, putting my hand on his back.
“Are you okay, Master Charles?”
His mouth twisted, but he nodded, patting my hand.
“I’m fine. I see I’m not going to break you of calling me that in public. That’s fine too. I’m getting quite used to it.”
“You’re tired—”
