Page 23 of Fever

That made me relax a bit. “Watch what you’re doing with that blade, girl,” I said, opening a drawer to reveal a set of butcher knives.

My phone rang again, and I groaned.

“Put it on speaker,” Santana said.

I gave her an incredulous look.

“What?” She shrugged. “You got something to hide?”

I groaned and blew out a breath but obeyed her.

“Yes,” I answered.

“This is Samantha Lean, your father’s assistant. I thought I would have to hunt you down for a minute, Josiah.”

“You only have to track people when they owe you something, and I don’t owe you anything. What can I do for you, Ms. Lean?”

“Why must you be so cruel? I thought you would take this news better than you are. What’s the problem, Josiah? Talk to me about it?”

“Cruel? I don’t think I’m cruel at all, Ms. Lean.”

“Then talk to me please.”

“Are you my counselor now?”

“I can be.”

I hung my head and peeked over at Santana who was chopping onions, bell peppers, and carrots on a cutting board.

“Can we talk about this some other time?”

“Josiah, I’ve been trying to reach you since you left my office yesterday. I’m supposed to cancel a transfer of funds to your bank account if you don’t sign this agreement. I’m literally disobeying a direct order from my boss in the hopes that you’ll come to your senses and sign. And now you want to call me back?”

Ms. Lean blew out an angry breath, and this time when I glanced over at Santana, she was tuned into our conversation with a questionable look on her sweet face.

“Ms. Lean, I don’t mean to give you a hard time.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Ms. Lean uttered.

“I know it seems I’m a bit thick-headed, but I don’t play these types of games, and I don’t understand how my father can. He’s pressuring me into marriage to get my inheritance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t care. He can keep it. I’ve always had the desire to build my own empire from the ground up anyway. It’s just the way he put it out there. As a proud son, I would’ve been pleased to take over for my pops, but I’m not with his asinine plan.”

“You have a meeting with your father and a potential partner today at 3 p.m.,” Samantha said with a sigh.

“What do you mean potential partner?”

“You didn’t know? Oh, I guess you ran out on me so quick I didn’t get the chance to tell you. Your father has started interviewing potential successors to take over his business in the event that you can’t be man enough to grow up and take over yourself. Your father’s words, not mine. However, if you do take over the business, you might have a partner.”

Surprised, a low guttural chuckle balked from me.

“So, let me get this straight. My father has arranged a meeting for me to meet the person who would take my spot if I didn’t conform to his outrageous demands?”

“Yes,” she said simply. “Should I count you in or out?”

“You know what, I would love to be there,” I said.

“Okay, I’ll let your father know you will be prompt. And Josiah, be on your best behavior.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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