I do want to talk to him, though, but so much time has passed I wouldn’t know what to say. Plus, the timing isn’t ideal right now. Between The L, having to monitor Chelsea and this damn girl I can’t get out of my mind, I’m like a live wire or a raging inferno ready to explode.
Speaking of, I still haven’t heard back from Miles, and I’m beginning to get pissed about that too. How long does it take to find out something about someone? The last few times I’ve called, he hasn’t been around, almost like he’s avoiding me. Even worse, he’s out of the office for the next few days, so I won’t be getting any answers any time soon. Which pisses me off. Shit. The need to know more about her is taking up way too much of my time. I can’t be acting like this. With the opening of The L looming, I need to get my shit together. We aren’t getting nearly as much press as I’d like, and if this isn’t successful, I’ll hear Chelsea say I told you so. She’ll make my life a living hell.
My phone starts ringing again, and it’s Spencer . . . again. It’s not normal for him to call back-to-back like this. Chelsea must have done something.
I send Spencer to voicemail, refusing to deal with this now. I’ll have to speak to Chelsea before I call Spencer.
Storming into her office, I see her typing away. She’s still as beautiful as when I first met her. She exudes sensuality with every breath she takes. At one time I was completely enthralled by her full lips, by the passion in her deep blue eyes, but now I see through her fa?ade. I see the bitch beneath the surface.
“What the fuck did you do?”
“Well, good morning to you, too.”
“Cut the bullshit. Tell me now.”
“I went ahead and did what you were too much of a pussy to do.”
“I told you to drop it. I told you no more bidding against Lancaster Holdings.”
“You were fine with me bidding on Manchester and St. Barts, so I decided it was in the best interest of this company to not listen to you. Now, if you have nothing else to discuss with me . . .”
“You will cease all acquisitions. Do you hear me? No more bidding. No more purchases. You will leave my family alone, Chelsea.”
“Why would I do that? This is what you wanted. What was best for The L. Or don’t you remember storming into my office at The Lancaster the day you found out your father sideswiped you with Spencer, demanding revenge? Funny how short your memory is right now. One visit with your brother and you’re singing a different tune. Well, don’t worry, Grant, my memory is long enough for the both of us. And I’ll get my satisfaction.”
She’s right. Chelsea and I might not get along, but we’ve always seen eye to eye on the ruin of The Lancaster, the destruction of everything that should have been mine. But after seeing Spencer and speaking to him, that goal just doesn’t seem so important anymore.
Growing my business is one thing, but doing it at the expense of my family is another. The reasons behind my bitterness were my own doing. I see that now. Spencer isn’t to be held accountable for my actions. I’m done doing shady business deals.
“I’m not singing a different tune. I still want to grow and expand. I just changed the method we use to do it. No more underhanded dealings.”
“Only five months ago—”
“Stop it right there.” I raise my palm in the air warningly. “I said no more, and I meant it. Leave Lancaster alone.” My voice booms through her office as I turn on my heel and head to the elevator. Once alone, I let out the breath I’m holding.
She won’t give up. It’s not in her nature.
My hand bangs against the elevator door. Fuck. Until I can find a way to get her out of this company, I need to tread carefully. I take a deep inhale.
Think.
What are my options?
I can’t afford a public battle now. I can’t afford bad publicity for The L, and a public fight in or out of court will do just that. I need to keep my shit straight and figure out some other way to deal with Chelsea.
Grabbing my phone, I dial my attorney. “I want her out!”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says, not even asking who I’m talking about. For the five years we’ve worked together—ever since I was ousted from Lancaster Holdings—he’s known who I want out of my life. We try not to speak her name, but we both know.
Chelsea, the Chief Operating Officer of The L, and the biggest mistake of my life.
My wife.
Knee deep in Googling ways to beef up my résumé, I don’t expect my phone to ring. There’s been no doubt in my mind that Karen wouldn’t be calling, but there’s the agency number on my phone.
“Hello,” I answer, and I know my low voice gives me away. I’m nervous and scared of what she wants. It can’t be good that she’s calling so soon. A knot starts to form in my stomach, a feeling of impending doom hovering. If she can’t find me a job, what will I do? I refuse to go to my parents for money. I refuse to admit I waited too long to get a job and now I’m desperate for work. For anything. I want to be self-sufficient. I don’t want their help. I want to prove to them I can stand on my own two feet. I want to show them I’m not my sisters. I want to be better.
I love my sisters, but it’ll be nice to have something of my own for once. Between Lynn having an affair with her high school teacher and Olivia overdosing, I’ve been vying for my parents’ attention for years. Now it’s time to focus on me—prove myself.
“Karen would like you to come to the office.”
“Uh, okay.”
“Can you be here within the hour?”
Shit. “Yes,” I squeak.
“Great, I’ll let her know.”
With not much time to spare, I change into the power suit my mom had bought me right after I graduated from college. Nothing says stylish yet professional better than a fitted black blazer with a straight A-line skirt that falls a little above my knee. In this suit, I always feel like I can take over the world. With one last glance in the mirror, I square my shoulders and head out the door, eager to have my life begin.
I tap my foot nervously as she stares at me.
“I’m telling you now, if you ever want to work in this or any other industry again, you will not leave this next assignment early. I’m doing you a huge favor placing you somewhere else. Any other person I would show the door, you understand?”
I nod. We both know she’s only doing this to avoid a legal battle, but who am I to complain. I’m getting another chance at a job. Another chance at proving I can make it in NYC on my own. To prove myself and not be compared to my sisters.
Her own head tips up in approval before she types frantically on her computer. She smiles, but the gesture is odd, not genuine at all, and I fear she’s placing me with someone even worse than Matthew Lawson. God, I hope not.
“I’ve found the perfect job. It’s not in marketing, but you aren’t going to object, are you? It’s also a longer gig.”
“How long is it?”
“Minimum of three months, maybe six.” She cocks her head at me.
“Where is it?” I ask, and a smirk lines her face.
“The L.”
“The L?” My heart pounds in my chest.