Page 16 of In Charge

“That’s different. She’s smart and knows the business.”

“You’re fucking unbelievable. Everyone of your daughters is highly educated and working successful careers—a doctor, two lawyers, accountant, and you have two daughters with MBA’s. Did you know Cara was just promoted to senior VP of business development for one of the largest engineering consulting firms in the nation. She’s a fucking executive officer of the board. But of course you didn’t know that because you never bothered to get to know them.” I shoved him back, and he landed on the floor with a thud just as the elevator doors swooshed shut.

Angry didn’t even begin to describe how I felt right now. And dammit, I was done being angry. Now it was time to get even. Fuck the office, fuck Dad, and fuck anything else I had planned for the afternoon. Instead, I walked outside and dialed my closest friend. Jake Williams was the creative director for a fine arts photography magazine, but he freelanced occasionally for one of the most successful online magazines in the nation. They would pay him a fortune for the dirt I collected on my dad’s clients.

“Hey, Jake, you still willing to help me spread that dirt?” I said. “Good, I’ve got some for you. Meet me in thirty ... Perfect, I’m on my way.” I hung up and slipped my phone in my pocket. After today, Dad would know what it was like to lose for once in his life.

***

I ARRIVED AT THE BARten minutes early, giving me enough time to drink a beer and cool off before Jake arrived. I needed something to take the edge off my anger before I punched a hole in something. A few minutes alone and a beer helped some, but not enough.

I’d finished one beer and was most of the way through a second when Jake walked through the door. I shook my arms to my side and cracked my neck. What I was about to do was not easy, but it had to be done.

“Hey, man, glad you called. I haven’t seen you in weeks.” Jake smiled and sat in the stool next to me. He ordered two more beers before his eyes fell upon me and he frowned. “Dude, you look like shit. You okay?”

“No.” I might as well be honest. I downed the last of my beer and took the fresh one from the bartender. “My dad’s a real piece of shit.”

“Oh, yeah, tell me something I didn’t already know.” Jake tipped his beer toward me before taking a big gulp. Jake and I had been best friends for a few years now. We met at a charity event I helped Jake’s family with, and we’d been friends ever since. There wasn’t much Jake didn’t know about my life. “What’s he done now?”

“That bastard had the nerve to talk shit about my mother and sisters today. He said my sisters didn’t count as his heirs. Can you believe that shit? I’m the only heir he has because I’m a man. He’s a fucking pig.”

“He actually said that?” Jake’s jaw dropped before he waved at the bartender.

“Yup.” I took another swig of my beer.

“I think we’re going to need something stronger,” Jake said to the bartender. “Two shots of Johnnie Walker. Make them doubles.”

“And then there’s Maya. She’s going to be so pissed at me.” I dropped my head into my hand and rubbed my eyes.

“And who’s Maya?” he asked.

“Senior VP.” I gave him a sideways glance. And the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. “She’ll become the new CEO if I refuse.”

“That bastard will make some random woman CEO, but his own daughters aren’t worthy?” Jake chuckled. “He’s a bigger shit than I thought.”

“Maya isn’t just some random woman.” The words came out fast and harsh. I saw Jake’s brows rise out of the corner of my eye. I was more defensive than I should be where Maya was concerned, but I was falling hard for her. Hard. “She’s brilliant, funny, sassy, and fuck me, sexy as hell.”

“Oh ... my ... God.” Jake covered his mouth and out right laughed. “Hell hath frozen over, you like her.”

“Yeah ... Yeah, I do.” There was no use denying it, especially not to Jake. He was the only person who really knew me. He could see through all my shit and lies long before I could sometimes. So I might as well start with the truth.

“Let me guess—she can’t stand you.” Jake handed me a shot and lifted the other up to toast. “To asshole fathers getting what they deserve.”

“To asshole fathers.” We clinked the glasses together and downed the shots in one gulp. Jake waved at the bartender for two more. “You know, actually, I think she’s equally attracted. Almost fucked her earlier today.”

“Wait.” Jake spit his beer across the bar. “You mean to tell me you could’ve fucked her and you didn’t?”

“Yeah.” My shoulder’s sagged. I closed my eyes and her luscious lips invaded my mind. The memory of her moans flooded through me, and my cock hardened. She was perfect, and the way she begged me for more made the memory so much sweeter.

“Shit, man. I’ve seen that look before. Never on you, though.” Jake squeezed my shoulder. “You’ve got it bad.”

“Thanks, I never would’ve figured that one out on my own.” Damn straight I had it bad. And it wasn’t just about the promise of sex. I really liked her. Her smile, her intelligence, her kindness, and passion. She worked hard, but at the end of the day, she was just Maya. I want her so badly right now. Maybe if I leave now, I could catch her at work.

“That’s what I’m here for, bro.” Jake smiled and handed me another shot. That one might have been one too many. My head spun a bit after I downed it. Two double shots and three beers in a matter of thirty minutes was enough to make any person drunk.

“At any rate, she deserves to be made CEO. She’s worked hard enough for it. Dad’s a dick for even considering me over her. I can’t do what she’s done. Maybe in another ten years or so.”

“He really wants to make you CEO?” Jake asked.

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