Page 20 of Something Borrowed

Because I don’t.

But I know better than to say that out loud.

As much as I will fight with my brothers I have learned over the years what the limits are. What pushing it too far looks like and what the consequences of that are. I hold back only for the sake of saving myself the annoyance and trouble of dealing with the backlash and their bloated egos.

I lean back in my chair with my arms folded across my chest.

I am clenching my jaw to stop myself from speaking that it’s starting to ache.

“Whatever. Let’s carry on.” Celso says, waving his hand in the air and gesturing towards Masaccio.

Masaccio continues to glare at me.

“You need to get your shit together, Red. I don’t know what the hell is going on with you, but your absence has been noted and the lack of effort won’t go ignored for much longer.”

“I’ve got better things to do with my time.” I snap, standing up and sending the chair skidding out from behind me.

Turning towards the door I ignore Tuomo’s heavy sigh and Celso telling me to sit down and let it go.

Fuck all of them.

I donothave to deal with this shit.

I do my job, I put the effort in. I just do it, on my own, without them hovering over my shoulder and trying to control every move I make. Masaccio isn’t my fucking boss. Not until our father hands him the reigns to the empire.

“This meeting is important.” Mas growls.

“Email me the key points.” I dismiss him and walk out of the meeting room.

My heart is pounding as adrenaline courses though me.

This was a complete waste of my time and all it’s done is to irritate me even more.

Climbing into my car I sit in the driver’s seat for a minute, trying to push the agitation out of my body - but it’s not working.

I roll my neck in a circle, flex my shoulders, and start the engine.

I have a little vixen to meet at a club in town.

That’s where I want to be.

She is the only one who has and deserves my attention.

Gravel spits out behind my car as a wheel spin away from the warehouse.

They messed up that shipment - they can figure out how to fix it.

When I get to the club Verity is already there, waiting for me at the bar.

I walk towards her, grab her in my arms and kiss her.

She tenses and pushes me away. Tilting her head she looks amused and curious.

“What the hell are you doing? My security guards are down here somewhere watching.”

“Then let’s go up to VIP. Let them sit with the commoners and wait.”

I grab her hand and pull her along with me. She laughs, shaking her head.

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