Page 5 of His Rules

I laughed. My father was highly respected as a surgeon and deserved all the kudos in the world. He was also my hero, the world’s most perfect dad. “No problem, I just wanted to let you know I’m popping into town for a few days.”

“That’s great. When are you arriving?”

“Day after tomorrow.”

“Shoot. I’ll still be in Chicago.”

“Don’t worry. I already made arrangements to spend a couple of nights at a hotel. I’m going to catch up with some old friends.”

Another white lie. I was full of them today. I’d kept in touch with one girlfriend since leaving for New York my freshman year. My forever bestie, Stephanie, had mentioned I could stay with her any time I was in town, but I wanted some time to pamper myself. I hadn’t done that in eons.

“Well, you’re always welcome to stay at the house.”

“I know, Dad. When you get back, call me and I’ll plan on staying with you during the rest of my trip.”

“That will be great. I gotta run, but I can’t wait to see you.”

“You too.” I ended the call with a sigh.

There was nothing like returning home to a safe place.

As long as I kept my promise to myself.

No more men.

CHAPTER 2

Sebastian

“I won’t stand for this,” I hissed at the men and women in the room before launching my chair backward as I jerked to a standing position.

“Just sit down, Sebastian. We can talk about this.”

The man I’d called my partner in crime was taking this sitting down? What the hell was wrong with Drake? Our own board of directors had just questioned our fiscal responsibility. He was acting as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

I’d gotten wind the board was asking questions since the stocks had taken a hit, but I hadn’t expected this. Not this. One member had even alluded to the possibility someone was skimming from the top. I was appalled.

And furious.

No one treated me that way.

“I don’t think so. I have work to do. Ladies. Gentlemen. Enjoy the rest of your day.” It wasn’t often I could put a rope around my anger when I was driven to a certain point. However, even I knew it wasn’t in our best interest as a company to piss off the other board members.

I stormed out of the conference room, pitching the door against the jamb.

Whatever the fuck was going on, I would get to the bottom of it.

The girls in the outside administrative pool cringed, slowly sliding further down in their seats when I walked by. Everyone in the firm knew when I was pissed.

Which lately had been almost every day.

Today had bypassed that, heading straight to rage. How dare the other members of the board throw accusations our way? I took long strides into my office, attempting to slam the door shut, but Drake was right on my heels.

“What in the hell is the matter with you?” he demanded, making certain the door was closed so our employees didn’t need to hear yet another argument. That’s all we’d seemed to be doing as of late. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“What am I doing?” I laughed. Pacing the floor and raking my hand through my hair. That’s what I was doing, fuming to the point I couldn’t see straight.

“Calm the fuck down. They have every right to question our plans for the future, especially given the sudden drop in stocks. You know that.”

---