Page 68 of His Rules

She smiled, then added, “I like having you here. At least Miss stick-stuck-up-her-butt Bennett knew a good thing when she found it.”

“I’m glad to be here as well.” Maybe more than I thought possible. I’d been impressed with how Sebastian had allowed me to handle most of the meeting with Mr. Kane. Truth be told, I’d been terrified off my ass, flying by the seat of my pants. He’d given me compliments and I’d felt like a little girl being praised by her daddy.

Oh, that was bad. So bad.

Sheila grinned before walking out and I had a feeling this week was going to become very interesting. I grabbed my iPad, moving toward the executive corridor when I noticed Drake’s door was open. I couldn’t help myself. I stopped just short, immediately hearing his voice.

“I’m not certain what you’re getting at, Mr. Kane. Yes, I understand. I think maybe we should?—”

Shit. The man was cut off mid-sentence. I was angry, more so than I’d been in a long time. Mr. Kane had gone behind our backs.

“Fine, Francis. We’ll talk about this later.” Drake obviously tossed the phone onto his desk, huffing immediately afterwards. I backed up then moved forward again, casually glancing into his office the moment I walked by.

Drake had always been friendly given he’d constantly undressed me within his eyes, but this time they were full of venom.

I could swear he knew exactly what was going on.

I knocked on Sebastian’s door, but since he was already expecting me, I opened the door almost immediately.

“You’re back,” he stated as he lifted a single eyebrow. I wasn’t certain if there was relief or desire on his face.

“I heard you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” I closed the door behind me.

“Is that any way to talk to your boss?”

“Maybe you need to be reminded that being nice is far easier than being a grouch.”

By the look he gave me, I was certain he was going to retreat to the jerk I’d known prior to spending time with him. He snorted and sat back in his seat, folding his arms behind his head and closing his eyes. “Yes, I’m a real jerk. Isn’t that what everyone around here expects?”

“Yes, because that’s exactly the kind of man you’ve been for years as far as I can tell.”

“Be very careful, Ms. Taylor. You’re treading on thin ice.”

“Why, yes, sir, Mr. Winfield.”

He chuckled. “You were missed.”

It seemed tough for him to admit. “What’s going on? It seems as if everyone is on the edge.”

“With good reason if they checked the papers. The stock continues to drop and various business experts who are determined to weigh in on the near catastrophe can’t figure out why.” His laugh turned bitter. “Who the hell can.”

“You know how people are. They jump ship if they think it’s sinking.”

“A vote of confidence.” He sat quietly for a full minute before his expression changed. “The more I thought about your idea the more I liked it, but I might expand it from there.”

“Really? How so?” He was trying to look at the bright side? I was in shock.

“I don’t want to say anything yet. You know, I might be considered a ruthless asshole when it comes to how I handle business.”

“That’s because from all appearances you have been.”

“A necessary evil. However, I’ve always done the right thing. Having integrity was the one aspect my dad drilled into his two sons above all others. He was a merciless dickhead, but he never screwed over his employees or his clients. That’s how he was so successful for so many years. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have certain methods of gaining control over the business and other aspects of my life when I find it necessary.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning there are certain people who owe me more than one favor, acquaintances who are in the position to provide their expertise should I find it appropriate.”

I sat down in the chair opposite him. “You mean if you play dirty.”

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