Page 36 of Bitter Rival

“Okay, let’s get down to business,” he says finally. “As I’m sure you’re aware, Pete is leaving.”

I was not aware of this because Pete never mentioned it, but Harold is lounging in his seat smiling like the Cheshire cat, and I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of showing my surprise, so I don’t even bat an eye.

“Pete’s leaving?” Daisy blurts out.

Harold’s gaze moves to her, and his smile softens. I’m surprised Dirty Harry didn’t go into cardiac arrest when he set eyes on Daisy.

“He was planning to leave last year but agreed to stay until you got here.” He gestures to both of us. “As he understood it, you would take over the reins.” Those words are directed at me.

“He never said a word to me,” Daisy says, the corners of her lips turning down as if Pete is her bestie, and she can’t believe he would leave without consulting her first. She glances at me. “Did you know about this?”

I give a noncommittal shrug that could be a yes or a no or who gives a shit.

No, I did not know. But now I’m starting to understand why Harold is here.

More head games.

More tricks my father had up his sleeve, no doubt.

I have a bad feeling I’m about to get fucked up the ass without lube for the second time today.

“I asked Pete to keep it under his hat,” Harold says with a smug smile, eyes on me. “I wanted to see if you’d step up to the plate on your own but that doesn’t seem to be the case from what I’ve heard.”

I shoot Daisy a glare, eyes narrowed in accusation. Are you spying on me? Did you run to Harold and tattle on me?

Her eyes widen and she gives a little shake of her head like she understood my nonverbal question and wants to assure me she had nothing to do with this.

“Just to clarify, your father’s instructions were very specific,” Harold continues, hooking a thumb in his suspenders. “Live and work on the vineyard. Together. So if you want your share, you’re going to have to start doing the work.” He points his cigar at me. “And I’m afraid you’ll have to stay on for an additional two weeks to meet the conditions.”

I lean back in my seat and let out a derisive laugh.

This fucking day just keeps getting better and better. “Let me guess. If I don’t do it, you’ll make sure everything goes to Daisy,” I surmise.

Harold shrugs and holds out his hands like it can’t be helped. “Don’t shoot the messenger,” he says with a hearty laugh that makes him wheeze. “I’m simply ensuring that your father’s wishes are carried out. And from what I’ve gathered, you haven’t been doing your share of the work. In fact, you haven’t done a single day’s work on this vineyard or in the winery, have you?”

It’s his tone that pisses me off. So fucking smug and dripping with condescension. Like I’m still a kid and he’s schooling me.

I’ve heard enough. I stand up from my seat. “Thanks for stopping by. You can see yourself out. But if you think I’m going to be someone’s puppet, think again.” I turn on my heel and start walking away but then turn back to drop another truth bomb on him. “One more thing, Harold. You can go?—"

“He has,” Daisy says quickly, jumping up from her seat and coming to stand next to me, as if we’re a team and we’re in this together.

“Beckett has been working on the vineyard. Just behind the scenes. He planned and hosted a party for the employees to boost morale and thank them for their hard work. He’s also been overseeing all the work that needs to be done to the house and the winemaking facility.” She sweeps her hand toward the roof where the ringing of a hammer and the scramble of footsteps on the terracotta tiles can be heard.

“Daisy, save your breath. I don’t need?—"

She cuts me off and grabs my arm to stop me from leaving. “And he dealt with an employee who stole valuable goods from his father. Thanks to Beckett, she returned everything.” She flashes Harold a bright smile even as her fingers bite into my skin. “So you see, Beckett has been working. And everything he’s done has been for the greater good of this place.”

I stare at her. This was the perfect opportunity to throw me under the bus. Why did she jump to my defense?

My eyes narrow on her. She must want something in return.

What? she mouths.

I shake my head.

“Well, if this is true,” Harold says, getting to his feet, “I’m willing to waive the extra two weeks. But you will need to take over for Pete. And you will need to be involved in every aspect of running this place. Just to clarify, you are not permitted to hire someone to do it for you. Any questions?”

His smile is smug like he knows he’s won this round and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

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