Page 5 of Bidding War

We wore uniforms.

It didn’t matter what I did. Nothing compared to the image of me in his head. So now, all I have left for the man is disdain and resentment. The world would be better off with him in prison, and not only because of our relationship. He’s a criminal. When we watched the footage of the warehouse, he didn’t bat an eye at the three men who died. They were nothing to him. Which means they are not the first deaths he is responsible for. If I don’t get him locked up soon, they won’t be the last.

“And here I thought I had your attention, Anderson,” Rena coos in my ear as she presses her breasts against my arm, snuggling close.

“Apologies, Rena,” I say with a smile. “You mentioned discussing childhood, and I fell into some memories. I’m sure you know what that’s like.”

She sits back, as I knew she would. “I don’t like talking about that.”

“And there is no need right now. How is your mom?”

Her smile brightens. “Really good. Thank you for recommending that treatment facility.”

“Of course. I am glad they can help her … ”

We chat about nothing for a time, and it’s easy and convivial and boring as hell. But this is the job. I am being groomed for CEO when Dad retires, which means I take the high-end clients out for lazy lunches and, on occasion, help them in the courtroom. Essentially, I pretend to be their friend until I need to be their lawyer. The job is so simple I can do it with my eyes closed, and there are times when I’ve done exactly that. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy it.

I don’t.

In fact, I’ve grown to hate it. Knowing what’s coming as CEO, it feels like every day I’m another step closer to a noose. I cannot and will not run West Media the way my father does. To date, I still do not know what other illegal operations we are into, and I wish I would never need to know any of the details. But I am not naïve enough to think I could just shut it down without repercussions. June was smart when she pointed out that it’s probably not possible to simply step away from whatever Dad’s gotten us into. It’ll be a process.

Assuming the law doesn’t catch up to us first.

Time to wrap this shit up. “Rena, you seem sleepy. Is your driver out there, or?—"

“Why?” She drunkenly giggles. “Do you want to take me to bed?”

I laugh. “Pretty sure you’re halfway there now, aren’t you?”

She yawns. “Not for sleeping.”

“Let’s get you home.”

“Mm, okay,” she purrs into my ear. “West Media really is full service, aren’t you?”

After an uncomfortable laugh, I grab the check and walk her out to her town car. When she tries to pull me in, I give a chuckle. “I’d love to come along, but you have that apology video to do, and I must have a stern conversation with your agent so he knows how to do his job the next time you say something off the cuff like that. As far as your comment is concerned, when an interviewer brings up women’s rights, what are you going to tell them?”

She huffs and flatly parrots, “That women deserve the same rights as everyone else.”

“That’s right. No more talking about barefoot and pregnant, okay?”

Another huff. “But what’s so wrong about that?”

“Because equal rights sell, Rena. You want to keep being an influencer, don’t you?”

She nods. “Thanks, Anderson. This is why I keep coming back to West Media. You really are the best.”

“Anytime. Off you go.” I shut her door and pat the roof twice before heading for my car. On my way there, I text June again. Maybe this will be the one she decides to read. It’s the hope that keeps me texting her.

No response. So, I call.

She doesn’t pick up.

I can hardly blame her. If my father hadn’t gotten into debt with Andre Moeller, then June wouldn’t have been kidnapped. I wasn’t involved with any of that—I didn’t know anything about it whatsoever. But if I hadn’t pretended she was my fiancée, she never would have been kidnapped in the first place. So, it’s my fault in a way.

It was also my idea to lie to Dad about her continuing to be kidnapped, and everything that happened after that lie is definitely my fault. That thought haunts me.

If I hadn’t lied about her being my fiancée, then she wouldn’t have been kidnapped. If I hadn’t lied and said she was still kidnapped, then Dad never would have sent me on the ride along with Moss to earn her ransom from him. Those men at the warehouse might still be alive if I hadn’t been there. The firefight only broke out because I had shoved my hand in my pocket, and one of the guys saw my gun when I did it.

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