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“Make it go away.”
“No. You needed to learn a lesson.”
Fuck you.
“Like when you fired me?”
“Well, evidently, tough talk is what you need. Calling the board old fuck sticks or whatever you called them… what did you think would happen?”
I shook my head.
“At some point, you have to grow up.”
“You’re fathering me now? When, for thirty-one years, you’ve either been completely absent or a drill sergeant?”
“Here we go. Sob story,” he yawned out.
“Far from it. I realize who and what you are. I’m fine. I have a great life, one which you’re about to piss on again by making me president of this company and forcing me to marry someone I don’t even know, let alone love!”
“Quiet down.” He got up to stand, pushing back the seat. “I suggest you wrap up whomever model it is you’re fucking this week because this family cannot and will not tolerate another scandal. Do you hear me?”
“Loud and fucking clear.”You fucking asshole.
He trudged over to the door and swung it open.
“Well, go ahead and write this into your contract. I’m not living withheruntil we get married.”
He stopped mid-stride and turned around, surprise etched on his wrinkled face. “Fine. We have already bought your home. It will be a wedding gift then. The tri-level Penthouse in Central Park Towers.”
“Great.” I rolled my eyes.
“Keep your dick in your pants, or so help me, God, I will make damn sure you get nothing.”
Great parting words.
* * *
I couldn’t wait to get out of my parents’ penthouse fast enough. It reeked of a stale marriage and negativity.
This Barrett-Lourde inquisition was moments away, and although essential to keep the family name intact, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my sister. Had I not been so busy at work, I would have given her fair warning and tried her cell again. But I was seriously hoping Barrett would have given her the heads-up about tonight’s dinner.
As my sister sat down, she studied me with caring and naïve eyes. Lourde and I had always been close, having each other’s backs at a young age when Alfred was mainly absent and Mother would be at social event after social event. Raised by nannies, Lourde had a better relationship with Alfred than I did. She was always quick to forgive. I wasn’t.
Over my tumbler of whiskey, I looked over at Barrett. Rundown and tired from today’s charade, he still managed to look respectable as always.
Today’s events and accusations would have knocked over a weaker man, but not him. No doubt it has taken a massive toll on him and his business, but he was here. He’d still fronted up to tonight’s inquisition. He knew what was coming. He hadn’t gotten to his position in life by not reading situations, and he knew the Diamond name was everything.
Lourde scanned over Barrett with concern etched across her porcelain face. We couldn’t be more different in our appearance—she took after Alfred with chalk-white skin so translucent you could see her veins. While I took after Mom’s side, skin that darkened with a glimmer of the sun’s rays, taking on a permanent shade of olive.
“Unfortunately, we are here under terrible circumstances,” Alfred’s announcement simmered the general chit-chat down to stony silence.
I watched my sister, still partly angry with her for going behind my back.
Lourde had bounced from relationship to relationship, but that wasn’t me. I didn’t need a partner. But hell, I was enjoying Pepper. It was nice to have a friend amidst the chaos of my life—a friend who knew me completely and wasn’t afraid to speak up. Everyone else seemed to dally around my last name. I fucking loved that too, but this was refreshing. Pepper was refreshing.
Alfred cleared his voice, the sound bringing me back to the dilemma in front of me.
“I know you have the best team around you, Barrett, but I would like to offer you our support. If there is anything you need from us, we are here for you.”
