Page 154 of Sinful Blaze

She clicks her tongue, but slaps the papers into my hand. I could write her up for insubordination, but I have only myself to blame here. It’s my fault for making her think attitude would get her bent over my desk with my handprint on her ass.

Those days are long behind us. The mere thought now makes me sick to my stomach.

The door to my office opens again. By the sounds of huffing and more tongue-clicking, my sister and assistant are now staring each other down.

“Put some fucking clothes on,” Sofi snaps at her.

Paris scoffs. “You wouldn’t know fashion if it was sewn onto you.”

“I know a slut when I see one. Go check the mirror and change, suka.”

I hold back my laugh.

Makari does not. “Damn, Sofi. Git ‘er!”

Paris takes a deep breath and gets ready to clap back, so I cut her off before she does something she’ll deeply regret.

“Paris. Why don’t you take an early day? Just bring me the contract files before you leave.”

She wants to fight me. I can feel it in the air. But when I do finally lift my eyes to meet hers, she clicks her heels together and marches out of the room.

A minute later, she storms back in, drops the folders onto my desk, and storms right back out.

My mood shifts upon seeing the letterhead of the first page. Bingo. This is exactly what I want to see. Exactly what I need to make this day perfect.

“Uh-oh,” Sofi chimes. “Big Brother’s got that weird smile again. What are you up to?”

I skim through the scathing assessment of Todd and Keith Bloom’s business venture, their practices, their sordid history of cutting corners and sweeping dirt under the rug. Page after page of undercover research is now highlighted and tabbed for their two-bit lawyer’s perusal, and if they’re not wetting themselves by the time they’re done reading…

Well, let’s just say they’ll take the more-than-generous buyout if they know what’s good for them.

It sure as shit beats a set of cement shoes.

“I’m taking your advice,” I inform Sofi. “I broke it, so I’m fixing it.”

She gives me her signature well-alrighty-then shrug and settles into the armchair while Mak stretches out on the loveseat. I know they’re both waiting for me to fill them in, but now’s not the time.

For now, this is just between Daphne and me. Especially since the gallery is now undergoing ownership changes, and soon, so will her position.

If she wants the new one, of course.

“So.” Sofi folds her hands over her lap. Not a good sign. “I’ve got updates. You won’t like it, but remember: it’s better to have answers than nothing.”

I set the papers down and lean back in my chair. “Lay it on me.”

“Hackers just got back from Brennan’s. Cora sends her love, by the way.” Mak and I both roll our eyes, but Sofi’s not done yet. “The runaround he’s giving you? The ghosting? Yeah. You have the Hamishes to thank for that.”

I freeze. I know I did not just hear her say what I think I heard her say. “Come again?”

Sofi solemnly nods. “Oh, yeah. Our old buddies from the old days? They’re back. With a vengeance.”

Fucking hell. “For what?”

“Who knows? Boredom? Old time’s sake? Or they have some new beef with you and it’s bad enough to get Stewart Hamish to smooth talk Brennan and his cronies out of doing business with us.”

The pen in my hand is going to snap in half if I don’t set it down. “I ended them. I destroyed them. Stewart Hamish shouldn’t have a foot to stand on, let alone a war chest big enough to ever fuck with me again. The hell is he thinking?”

“Yeah, well, rest assured it’s definitely just him and his wife. Fucking piece of work, that one is. Word on the street is, both their daughters are estranged and she couldn’t care less.”

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