Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
He grunts. “You think after our start that would be a good idea?”
I take a second to think this through, but I know the answer.
Charles isn’t the type to mix business with personal issues. If Asher is good at the job, Charles would hear him out.
“I think he would.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Asher says.
I spent the next half-hour telling him about how I met Charles and how Tabitha used our relationship to gain access to my computer.
“Wow. That’s . . . insane.”
“It really is. She’s a nightmare.”
The line is quiet for several seconds.
“Do you love him?” Asher asks.
Without hesitation, I answer, “I do.”
“Then I’m happy for you, Raven. I really am.”
“Thank you, Ash. I hope you’ll find someone who makes you feel this way someday.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“There’s always Lily,” I say, grimacing when I realize I’ve said that.
I promised myself I wouldn’t interfere in their love lives, but here I am, butting in.
“Who knows?” he says, catching me off guard. “How’s the presentation going?” he asks, changing the subject.
“It’s coming. Diosa agreed to give us the final meeting before they decide to break their contract with us.”
“What did Sergio think about everything?”
“We didn’t tell him, anything about what happened. Figured it would only sound like a lame attempt on our part to soil his relationship with Bauer. If we win this, we want it to be a clean fight on our end.”
“It was only ever a clean fight on your end, but I respect that. Cavendish is the better company, hands down.”
“Can we chat soon?” I say, needing to get busy.
“For sure. Raven, it’s good to have you back,” he says.
“It’s the best,” I agree. “Pizza soon?”
“Always pizza.”
I place the phone down and smile. It feels so good to be on speaking terms again with Asher, although I feel terrible that his job is on the line. And all because of some jealous girl who will never be happy, no matter what‚ or who, she has.
I stay in the office until Charles comes back forty minutes later.
“I hope you don’t mind that I stayed here. I just didn’t feel like going back to my desk.”
“It’s fine.”
When he doesn’t say anything else, I continue. “I wanted to find out what’s happening before going out there. I can’t even imagine the sort of rumors flying around about me.”
“Your name is cleared, and the police are involved.” He sounds exhausted. “They are both facing some serious jail time.”
“Good.”
“The board has been turned back to your side. They apologize for thinking otherwise. I showed them the tape, and they agreed it’s out of our control.”
“That’s a relief,” I say, laying my head back on the chair.
“Anyway, afterward, I called Bauer. That’s why I took so long. I wanted to make it clear that they’d be brought up in the police report.”
“How’d that go?”
He grunts. “The man is a bloody prat. I hope their shady business dealings come to light, and he suffers for it. I don’t mind competition, but not like that.”
“Do you think Asher will lose his job because of his connection to me?”
“He will.”
My head lowers. “I thought so.”
“Raven, we need to discuss Diosa,” he says. “The board is not happy. We can’t lose this account.”
“I’ve been working on a new pitch. It’s been all hands on deck, and we’re ready to present. I called Sergio personally, and he’s agreed to give us the last pitch.”
His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. “You’ve been busy.”
“I wouldn’t let us lose this account, Charles.”
He nods. “Will Holly be there?”
I shake my head. “She couldn’t be reached.”
He heads for the door without another word.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to have a talk with my mate, Paxton.”
Good luck, Pax.
47
Charles
“Paxton!” I shout, right outside his office.
Marla stands from her desk, looking scared.
“Mr. Cavendish, he’s in a meeting. Can I help you with something?”
This might be the first time the silly bitch doesn’t use her flirtatious tone with me.
“His client went behind my back and brokered a contract with my competition. I want answers, and I want them now.”
She shrinks back, picking up the phone and dialing someone.
Likely the police, given my abrasive attitude.
“Mr. Ramsey, Mr. Cavendish is here to see you. It seems very important. He’s rather pissed.”
“Oh, darling, I’m more than pissed. I’m bloody raging.”
“He’s bloody raging, sir.” She turns red. “Oh. All right. Okay. Sure.”
“Can you wait for thirty minutes?” she asks.
“No. I will not wait for thirty minutes. You tell him to drop what he’s doing, or he’ll lose his best mate.”
She presses the phone to her ears. “Sir, he won’t be delayed. He’s threatening you.” She takes one look at me and purses her lips. “He said to come in. But don’t start throwing punches, or I’ll call security.”
“I’ll do my best,” I say.
The truth is that I don’t want to lose my cool. Paxton has been a brilliant friend to me, and I’d hate to lose that.