Page 110 of Relentless

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Piper watched Liam for cues as he accepted coffee from Brandy. Instead of sipping the drink, the operative cradled the mug in his hands. Clear enough. Don’t drink anything handled by Brandy. Following his unspoken lead, she held the bottle of water without drinking.

Brandy sat behind her desk. “Gino will be free soon. I thought this would be a good time to talk before your meeting,” she said to Piper. Her gaze slid to Liam. “I’m sure you won’t mind waiting in the other room. This is company business, after all.”

His eyebrow rose although he didn’t say a word.

“Say what you have to say, Brandy,” Piper said.

Irritation in her eyes at Liam’s refusal to leave, Brandy turned to Piper. “I know we’ve had our differences in the past. I’d like to put that behind us in the interest of Galactic Games and the people who depend on us to feed their families.”

She stared. “You’re characterizing the gulf between us as differences? You slept with the man I was dating.”

“I’d go back and change things if I could. I’m sorry, Piper. I didn’t mean for that to happen but you know how persuasive Gavin could be.”

Nice. Shifting the blame to Gavin who couldn’t defend himself or explain his actions. “It’s a little late for apologies. However, in the end, you did me a favor. Because you helped me see the true Gavin, I left Hartman and met Liam. For that, I am grateful.”

Yes, Gavin had hurt Piper. In the end, though, she’d met the love of her life. Liam was worth every moment of pain and tear she shed three years ago.

Brandy relaxed in her chair. “Frankly, I’m surprised you’re dating someone else. Gino wasn’t aware that you moved on. I thought you would hold a grudge forever. I’m glad to see that’s not the case.”

“No grudge. But don’t make the mistake of believing I’ll trust you again. That won’t happen. You showed your character and I won’t forget that.”

The other woman’s face blanched. “Gavin is dead. What does the past matter now?”

“Uncle Gino is leaving his legacy to me. I need a management team who is loyal to the company and me.”

Brandy’s eyes glittered. “I see. Should I expect a pink slip when Gino dies?”

“I’m not ruling out anything.” Piper stood, leaving her untouched bottle of water on Brandy’s desk beside Liam’s mug. “We’ll see ourselves out.”

“This isn’t over, Piper. Not by a long shot.”

She paused on the threshold and glanced over her shoulder at Brandy. “No, it isn’t. By the time I’m finished, every secret will be revealed.”

Brandy gaped at her. “What does that mean?”

Instead of answering, she walked away from the office with Liam at her back, ignoring the shrill demands for an explanation by Brandy. By the time she and Liam reached her uncle’s outer office, Piper’s hands shook. That woman had some nerve, insinuating Piper was an immature brat who refused to act like an adult. Piper wanted to fire her greatest nemesis on the spot, despite her uncle’s wishes.

“Breathe,” Liam murmured, wrapping his arms around her and tucking her against his chest.

“She’s a piece of work.”

“You handled her with class, Sunshine.”

“Would you be able to forget the past and take her at face value if you were in my place?”

“In my line of work, I can’t afford to have an operative at my back who isn’t trustworthy. It’s a great way to end up dead. So, no, I wouldn’t trust that woman with anything or anyone I valued.”

“Are you just saying that because she hurt me?”

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she realized Liam would never sugar-coat things to spare her feelings. She held up a hand. “Don’t answer that. I know you. You’re reacting on instinct, aren’t you?”

“She’s a snake in the grass, waiting to strike at unwitting prey.”

Piper relaxed in Liam’s hold. Brandy was waiting to strike. How long before Piper felt the sting of the other woman’s bite? Fine. She silently urged Brandy to do her worst. If the other woman showed her true colors, Piper would easily convince Gino to fire her.

Gino’s administrative assistant approached them. “Mr. Romano will see you now. Come with me, please.” The pleasant woman led them down a short hall to the familiar office with double doors, one of which had an engraved brass nameplate with Gino’s name. “May I bring you a drink? Coffee, water, a soft drink, something stronger?”

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