Page 3 of Succumbed

“Say more about that. Why was that your takeaway?”

“She and her business partners came to my firm to ask for my investment. It was their job to know us and what we cared about, and tailor their pitch accordingly. She should never have stepped foot in Athena without knowing who I was. Mistaking me for an assistant should’ve been an impossible error for her to make. The fact she made it?”

Lex tuts. “It was lazy. And if you’re not willing to put in the effort, you’re not worth my time. Because if it’s easy, you’re doing it wrong. I don’t tolerate laziness or lack of preparedness because I’ve found both to be at the root of most avoidable failures.”

“You should teach a masterclass, seriously.”

Lex chuckles at Preston and shakes her head. “I don’t have time for that. But I make time to coach every female founder on our roster.”

“Sounds like she missed out on more than just your funding,” Cass quips with a wry smile.

“She did, but I doubt she’ll ever realize it. When someone is focused on their own success without consideration of others, their aperture becomes incredibly narrow. That’s risky for the business and society because people making decisions from a narrow perspective rarely make the right choice. And one terrible decision can negatively affect us all, especially when it brings a magnifying glass to a group that is anything other than white and male–female founders in the tech startup world, for example.”

Linc reaches out and slaps the back of his hand against my upper arm. “Dec, that’s our sign. If we went back–”

“Quiet,” I demand, refusing to look his way. I can’t tear my eyes from the screen, and I’m not ready to entertain the suggestion I know is coming.

“What would you say to her if your paths crossed again?” Cass asks.

The answer is immediate.

“Not a word. If she approached me to make amends, I’d listen. Otherwise, there are other women in this industry who are far more deserving of my attention.” She gestures toward Preston. “Take this brilliant young woman, for instance.”

The brunette basks in her peer’s praise for a moment, then grins at her. “Is this the part where I’m supposed to demure and say you’re too kind?”

“I hope you don’t. Own your brilliance, Ms. Brooks. It suits you.”

Preston turns to Cass. “You’ve given her all the best lines! It’s really not a joint interview at this point. Don’t get me wrong, I’m here for it. I’m basically president of the Lex Livingston fan club.”

As the women laugh and Cass turns to question Preston, I lean back against the couch. I can feel Lincoln’s eyes boring a hole into the side of my face, but I don’t turn toward him. A few years ago, we fucked up. I fucked up. And I want nothing more than to make it right and restore our business and reputation. Well, that and one more thing.

“Linc’s right, Dec. We should approach her.” Shane’s voice is steady and sure.

“I’m still not convinced.”

“What more do you need, though? A flashing neon sign?” Lincoln throws a hand toward the television as the women chat, the young brunette talking animatedly. “You know we can’t do this alone. We need help. We need her.”

“Like fuck we do.” I scowl at him.

“Don’t be blinded by your pride,” Shane intones.

I glance over at him, ready to defend myself. But he’s the picture of relaxation, arm flung over the couch and legs up on the coffee table. How is he always so goddamn calm?

“I’ll think about it.” I stand, needing space from them and the reminder of past failures.

“Think quickly.”

My eyebrows rise as I turn back to Shane. “What’s your rush?”

His eyes flash to mine. “The backstabbing bitch is close to launching. She goes live before we make our move, and it’s all for nothing.” He looks back at the television. “Who knows how many lives are at risk. And over a decade of work, Dec. Gone.”

I look back to the screen a final time. Lex is speaking again, but I tune out her words and study her face. Her light green eyes are fierce and glittering. Experience and knowledge are heavy in her gaze and in the intentional way she speaks. Frustration wells in me, and I huff, stalking from the room.

Time hasn’t dulled the sting of betrayal or the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. I’m reluctant to trust anyone other than Lincoln and Shane with our business, but the need for retribution is a persistent drumbeat in my skull.

As much as I want to focus on building our business into what we envisioned, I can’t ignore the siren song of revenge.

Chapter 2

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