Page 78 of Crossing Lines

Compartmentalizing everything, I push aside my fear that Nina’s somehow working against me, or that Mick is. It’s too much of a coincidence for it to not be planned in some way. I straighten out my suit jacket and paste a smile onto my face when I reenter the room.

“All okay?” Mick asks.

“Of course,” I say, taking note of the similarities between him and Nina. She said she’s never met him, but he has a knowing look on his face, like he recognizes Nina. “My designer is feeling ill, so I’ll be taking over the presentation today.”

“Was that Nina Martin?” Ben asks, glancing at the windows facing the hallway.

“It was.”

“Her designs are epic,” Ben says. “I love what she didfor that jacket with your team and Stella. Did she design what you’re about to show us?”

Mick glares at Ben, but Ben doesn’t notice.

“Yes, and I’ll happily show you the designs,” I say, “but I want to take a moment to remind you of the NDA you signed. All information about the designs and the fact that Nina is the designer stays in this room.”

“Of course,” Ben says seriously. See, that’s why I like him. He’s passionate, smart, and young, but also knows when to be more serious.

I pick up the clicker that changes the slides for me and begin the presentation that Nina should be giving. I show off her designs, the ideas on the dress forms she spent hours on end sewing. There’s the fit-and-flare dress she originally made me, and pictures of mockups for how it’d look in different colors. Additionally, she made a green crop top with the logo at the top of the straps and paired it with a short, black skirt. For summer, she made a white-and-green geometric-patterned long dress. Lastly, she made a black jumpsuit with white details and the logo around the waist.

“None of the designs are obvious it’s for the Sentinels at first glance,” I say. “They look like everyday items someone might use or need, and that’s exactly our approach. We wanted to create something that’s wearable for any woman who wants to look good whether she’s going to a game or having a day out with friends.”

Ben’s eating up every word I say, but Mick has a sour look on his face.

“I love the idea,” Ben says. “Nina did an amazing job. Right, Dad?”

“I guess.”

Zeki frowns in confusion and I’m right along there with him. There is no “I guess” about it.

“Perhaps you’d like to expand on your comment?” Zeki asks Mick.

“This Nina did an okay job with the designs and approach, but if she’s the designer, then I want more from this deal. I want her to sell that viral jacket, but add our logo on there somewhere and have it run as a special item to announce our partnership.”

“That jacket isn’t part of this discussion,” I say. “It was made for a charity event and has Stella Wilde’s face on it. But I do like your proposal to have a special item designed to announce our partnership.”

“No, Stella has to stay on it,” Mick says.

“Dad,” Ben hisses under his breath, but Mick stands firm in his demand.

“What about ensuring our brands align?” I ask, confused about this turn of events.

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve shown that. Of course you have,” he says almost dismissively. “But I need that jacket to be included in the deal, or else we won’t sponsor you.”

Ben frowns at his dad, but he doesn’t speak up. Mick’s demand is outrageous, and it’s all the confirmation I need that Nina didn’t know about his involvement in Glam Pop. She’s refused to sell the jacket since day one.There’s no way she’d be working with Mick if that’s what he’s after.

“Well,” Zeki says, “that jacket requires Stella’s approval.”

“Then make it happen.” Mick stands and Ben follows suit. “We’ll be in touch.”

They leave in a hurry after that and Zeki and I remain in the room, both of us in shock.

“What the hell just happened?” I ask.

“He wants the jacket?” Zeki frowns. “Why didn’t he say that from the beginning? And where the hell is Nina?”

“I don’t think he wants it,” I say. “I have a feeling he wants it just to hurt Nina. She alluded to the fact that she knew him and that’s why she couldn’t go through with the presentation.” Nina told me that no one knows about her father, and I refuse to break her confidence now.

“Shit.” Zeki rubs his temples. “Since when did this become a clusterfuck? I thought we had it in the bag.”

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