Page 60 of My Cruel Billionaire

Amanda put her hands on her hips.

“You are not going to talk business with her, are you? This is supposed to be a baby shower, not a boardroom.”

“It’s all right, girlfriend,” Jennifer said with a dismissive wave. “I’m not offended. Besides, look around you. There are so many high-powered business people here, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are dozens of deals being made as we speak. It’s just the way it is. Goes with the territory.”

I allowed Evan to steer me away from the main party. We took refuge as it was inside of the semi-dark gallery. The dark lighting cast heavy shadows over Evan’s face, making him look even more extreme and dramatic.

“Jenna, what’s going on with you and Michael?”

I felt my belly drop out. I had been expecting this conversation, though I had not exactly been looking forward to it.

“I guess he’s talked to you, huh?”

“You’re damn right he’s talked to me.” Evan’s face drew into a scowl. “Sometimes I really think that guy is a jerk. He wants me to replace you as team leader of the merger. In point of fact, he wants to be the replacement and lead both teams.”

“He what?” I was flabbergasted. “Why would he do that?”

“For a lot of reasons. One of which is that Michael likes to handle things on his own. A foible I have been all too familiar with in the past. For another thing, I think you mystify him.”

“Mystify him?” I asked.

Evan nodded. “You won’t just roll over and do what he wants. For a guy like him that makes you fascinating. Probably also frustrating.”

I sighed. “He keeps harping on this idea that the leak came from my team. I don't know, I guess it’s possible, though it doesn’t seem likely to me. It’s not the idea that I might have a mole on my team. It’s the way that Michael’s been acting about it that’s got me upset.”

I cleared my throat and looked up at Evan. I sighed, deflating and letting out a bit of the tension I’d been building up.

“Look, Evan, I know how much this deal means to you, and not just the money aspect of it. You’re trying to build your legacy. If you need to keep Michael happy, I understand—”

“Quite frankly, I don’t care what he wants,” Evan snapped. “He’s had no right to talk to you or treat you the way that he has.”

“But what if he tries to call off the deal?” I asked.

“He won’t do that. He’s much too invested in the deal at this point.” His eyes flicked over to me. “What I do care about is, how do you feel? Do you want to keep going as the team lead on this merger? It’s up to you, Jenna.”

“You’re leaving it up to me?” I asked incredulously. “Even after all of Michael’s posturing?”

“I already explained why I’m not going to sweat Michael’s moodiness. Do you want this, Jenna?”

I thought about it, and thought about it hard. I was torn between two wants, between two worlds. On the one hand, I felt as if Michael and I needed to try the relationship thing again. I damn sure needed to tell Michael that he was Damon’s father.

The whole damn merger thing squatted between us like an ugly spider, though. I didn’t know what to do about it.

“Evan, I…”

I decided I just couldn’t handle it any longer. In a moment of weakness, I gave voice to my weariness.

“I just can’t do this anymore…”

“It’s all right.” Evan clapped a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll handle things, no problem.”

He went off and I sighed heavily. I was relieved, but… I felt like it wasn’t the ending I needed or wanted.

I wandered over to where Damon still played with the puppies. Damon turned to me and beamed a smile.

“Look, Mom,” he said. “This is Inky, Minky, Moe, Blinky, and Clyde.”

He named each of the puppies. I laughed and shook my head.

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