Page 110 of The Sounds of Her

“That will never happen,” I try to keep the disgust off my face because he’s agreeing with me, and I can’t figure out why. His smirk pisses me off.

“Whatever way you look at it, we’re getting the shitty end of this stick. I bust my ass at that company. It would have been in the toilet if I hadn’t taken over from the last asshole he had as CEO. My dad might think he knows what’s best for my life, and his companies. He has no idea how bad it was there before I took over. They were losing money hand over…” he trails off, a frown on his face.

It’s as if he’s surprised himself by how vehement he sounds. Like he came here for one thing, and now he’s doing the complete opposite. He actually sounds genuine.

“He doesn’t listen to me,” Roman shakes his head. “So I figure I run the place, make him money and he’ll be happy. And I, as a fucking grown man, get to live my life the way I want to live it.”

“We don’t sound all that dissimilar,” I lean back in the chair, contemplating him. “Well, except for the millions you’re going to get out of it.”

“There is that.” He huffs out a laugh. “I know what people think of me, I’m not a fucking moron, but I work hard, what’s wrong with me playing hard? I didn’t think he would pull shit like this but once he’s made up his mind, nothing short of towing the line will ever convince my dad I’m worthy.”

He stares at me for a long moment of silence. Honestly, I’m stunned.

“I am entitled to my money,” he says. “But you’re right, fucking up your life isn’t the way to get it.”

My well thought out plan is going sideways. This Roman isn’t the one I met the night of the gala.

“What happened to the guy who was pissed I was messing with his plan? The guy sending me photographs of engagement rings and giving me shit about the man I’m dating.”

“If you say anything outside of this room I’ll deny it,” he gives me a steely look. “I grew a fucking conscience. I saw the pictures of you and him, I’m not stupid, I know I can’t come between that. What am I gonna do? Force you? I’m not heartless, Brooke.”

All I can do is blink at him. Seeing me with Archer is what brought on this change of heart? Made him stop fighting for his inheritance. That is fucking insane. What did he see?

“Our parents have known each other for years, when dad makes a deal, he sticks to it. It’s going to be hard to make him change his mind-”

“There is no point you talking to him,” I cut him off, getting my wits about me. “He won’t listen.”

Truth is, my plan is to go to Jason Campbell. It’s his money controlling everyone. Bailing out my parents, giving Roman his inheritance. It makes the most sense to go to the source. All I want to do with Roman is get into his head we will never get married.

“You think you can get him to change his mind?” Roman asks.

“He’s too close to you, set on his plan, like you said. Coming from me, it might make a difference.”

He takes a moment to look around, before his eyes land back on me. “People think I don’t respect women.”

My eyes narrow, that is never a good way to start a sentence.

“They’re wrong. I don’t respect certain people. Men or women, it doesn’t matter. If they’re stupid, incompetent, judgemental, or just plain assholes, they don’t deserve my respect. And I get it, how people look at me, and the way I live my life. Mostly they’re right but I don’t care what anyone thinks. I want my inheritance and if that makes me a bastard, fine, I’m a bastard.

“I overreacted the other night, said some shitty stuff to you. I don’t own you, I don’t even know you,” he rises, buttons up his jacket and pushes the chair back by the desk. “What I see here today, tells me I need to respect you.”

“I think I might be having a stroke,” I mutter.

Roman laughs. “My dad is a dick, so if you can do anything to get him to back off, I’ll be forever in your debt.”

“I won’t be doing anything for you,” I point out, not harshly, just honestly.

“For what it’s worth,” he says pushing one hand into the pocket of his pants. “I felt bad about your parents suggestion we do this to get them out of their shit.”

My face gives nothing away, even as another piece of my heart cracks hearing the truth behind all of this.

“What are you going to do about your dad’s stipulations?” I get to my feet but stay behind my desk.

He walks to the door, pausing before opening it. “I thought you didn’t care.”

“You might have convinced me you’re a decent person.”

The dimple in his cheek makes an appearance. “Good luck getting Jason Campbell to listen. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it.”

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