“If you aren’t careful, the board members are going to be lining up to shove you down on your own sword.”
“They’ll remember who lines their pockets before that happens.” I twist my expression into a mask of impassivity. “We’re having a family dinner tomorrow night at the Huntington Estate.” Silvia’s family home. “I’ll do some subtle digging while I’m there.”
There’s nothing in Carter’s expression to give away his inner thoughts when he asks, “Will Lily go with you?”
“No.”
He nods. “Probably a good thing.”
“In the meantime, I need you to play interference with the board. I don’t want Ledger or anyone else to see…” I grimace, gesturing at my eye. “And I need a little time to finish dealing with the shitstorm my father started.”
“I can do that. What’s happening with the Hi-Tech deal?”
I rub a hand over my jaw, unsure what to tell him. I trust Carter. We’ve been friends since college, and he’s always had my back. This is delicate, though, with too many players and too much at stake for me to risk it.
Especially when he doesn’t know the full story… although I’m not so sure anyone does anymore. The specific details have long since been lost; distorted by time and emotion. The only things that seem to be left now are unmitigated rage and bitterness, something that shouldn’t have any place in the present.
And yet, I’d let it right through the front door.
My fists clench and I tuck them under my desk, my anger a raging fire in my bloodstream. It’s not directed at anyone but myself and the control I’ve allowed my father to have over my life.
Realizing Carter’s still waiting for an answer, I settle on saying, “We’re finalizing the deal now. There’s a few more terms the lawyers are negotiating on, but I’ll keep you posted.” Guilt trickles in at the lie, but he’ll understand. Eventually. “Has your contact told you about any more meetings?”
He shakes his head sharply. “Annabeth came into town for a conference and wanted to meet for dinner. When I refused, she told me to go fuck myself and then blocked me.” A grim smile plays on his lips when I lift my brows.
“Probably a good thing,” I murmur, echoing his earlier sentiment.
“I’ll leave you to it, Rocky.” I watch as he stands and heads for the door, pausing to look back at me, genuine concern brightening his eyes. “Declan, you know I have your back, right?” Carter doesn’t seem to need a response, sending one last meaningful look and then he’s gone.
I’ve always kept my personal and professional life separated and compartmentalized, refusing to cloud business with emotions. Everything and everyone had their place, my life so coldly organized I could never be surprised by something unexpected.
Until Lily.
I never intended to take things as far as I did. I can’t even pinpoint when things changed for me. Now all I know is that I buried my head in the sand, hoping that when it all blew up in my face, I’d be able to salvage the mess left over. Now, it feels like I’m stuck in the middle of a rapidly collapsing bridge—my father on one side and Lily on the other. Whoever I choose, there’s no guarantee I’ll even make it to them before the bridge crumbles away under me.
I run a hand through my hair just as the laptop screensaver comes on, showing me a picture of us on our wedding day. I’ve got my arms wrapped around Lily’s waist, the dark suit a sharp contrast to the brilliant white of her dress. My head is tilted down, eyes firmly locked on her, like I can’t see anything else. Lily’s looking into the camera, her smile wide and cheeks flushed. Her eyes are so bright, they look like they’re sparkling as she stands there, a bouquet of pink roses and lilies clutched in her hands.
I reach out and touch a finger to her cheek; my chest aching viciously. I swallow hard as my eyes start up with a suspicious burn. Our relationship might have started under false pretenses, and she might think that I was playing her the whole time, but she’s going to find out that I’m not playing anymore.
And there’s nothing fake about my feelings for her.
CHAPTER 15
Declan
The house is a monstrosity, complete with a stone fountain that’s way too phallic. I’m still in my car, reluctant to go inside where I’ll need to watch every word like I’m walking through a minefield.
For the past year, Lily’s always been at my side when my presence has been requested, either here or at my family’s estate. She hadn’t enjoyed coming, bearing through them with a smile because I’d asked her to, and now I had just another regret to pile onto everything else.
I should've told her I despised these things, too.
Movement catches my eye, and I look up just as the double front doors open wide, spilling light down over the concrete steps. Silvia steps through them, sending a beaming smile in my direction and a tired sigh escapes me.
Silvia has always been part of my life. Our families were part of the same social sect, and our fathers were best friends, so we’d been forced into constant contact with each other. At the moment, she seems to be there every time I turn around, making snide little digs about Lily or just sticking her nose in where it’s not wanted. The urge to tell her to fuck off is getting harder to resist.
Knowing I’m out of time, I climb out of the car and head towards her. “Silvia,” I greet coolly.
“Hi, Declan,” she says brightly, then makes ashow of looking around. “Oh. No Lily? That’s too bad!” Her mouth drops in sad surprise, and I eye her warily. She comes forward, trying to link her arm in mine, but I pretend not to see, stepping away from her. Her expression falls, but she regroups quickly. “Come on, everyone else is already here.”
