I’ve just settled into bed with my book, a Korean face mask, and the hotel robe when three loud knocks come from the door leading to Anderson’s room.
Opening the door, I don’t expect to see Anderson looking so angry, and I definitely don’t expect him to rush into my room without a word.
“Excuse me,” I say, pulling my robe tight around me. “You can’t waltz in here like—”
“What did you say to her?” His eyes are dark with rage, and he’s still in his dress shirt and suit pants. He looks half-deranged.
I take a step back. “Who?”
“Corrine Wu. What did you tell her?”
“The woman from dinner?” I ask. How much does he know?
“She mentioned getting a drink with you an hour ago. I assume it was you. As far as I know, Luca only has one sister so willing to meddle in things she doesn’t understand.”
I let out a whoosh of air as the insult plows through me. “Whoa, hold on.”
He takes a step closer. “She rescinded her offer to join her group. Said something about how she’d always wanted to work with Gather, but she was sick of being led on.”
I shake my head and swallow. “I’m calling Luca—” I move to get my phone, but he wraps a hand around my arm.
“This is between you and me,” he growls.
“I don’t have to tell you anything,” I retort, glaring at him and feeling the rage start to rise as I shake my arm free.
“You will not be joining us during any more meetings, do you understand?” he says, his voice low and gritty. Menacing. “You fucked this up for us, Natalia.”
Guilt rushes through me, but I push it away.
“Luca might’ve turned the deal down,” I suggest, shrugging. “If you hadn’t been pressuring him to close it, maybe he would’ve signed at dinner.”
Anderson lets out a cruel laugh. “He never signs at dinner. He’s the most finicky business owner I’ve ever met.”
I pin him with a stare, and hot, angry loyalty to my brother fills me. “I don’t trust you. I don’t like how you treat him, or anyone, for that matter. If anyone should leave, it’s you.”
Shut up, Natalia.
“Oh,I’mnot the one going anywhere, princess.”
“Well, neither am I,” I add, my face hot. It’s then that I realize I still have the paper mask on my face.
“Yeah, I guess you need a job since they fired you at your last one.”
His words cut me down to my core. How did he… did Luca tell him about why I’m here? Betrayal shoots through me.
“I know you’re up to something,” I growl. “I know your history. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I will.” The look of surprise on his face is priceless. “Might be time to call the lawyer who got you out of that tax evasion charge.” If I could bottle the look on his face right now, I would. Confusion, shock, anger. All the things Iwantto make him feel.
“Congratulations. You’ve learned how to use Google.” I decide to lay it all on the table, but before I do, he inches closer. “You weren’t really doing yoga last night, were you?”
“Of course I was,” I retort, my cheeks burning.
“Admit you weren’t,” he admonishes, chuckling darkly.
Something inside of me snaps. “Why do you care so much? At least I wasn’t the one fucking someone.”
He shakes his head and takes a step closer to me, a wicked sneer on his face. “Tell me you weren’t doing yoga at three in the morning,” he growls.
The smell of him becomes overpowering. “I told you I was. Oh, and next time, try to keep it down,” I say, my voice a little quieter.
