Page 47 of Fairy Tale Lies
Cindy gave a wicked smile. “The fight wasn’t the only thing I learned this evening. Is it true, you know…about his family heritage?”
Chapter Eighteen
Blake walked into Charles Meier’s office, trying to mask his dark mood. The last two days of healing hadn’t improved his face, nor his disposition. Both eyes were an ugly mixture of purples and yellows, his nose was swollen and taped, and a big gash ran along his lower lip.
The cuts and bruises were a surface problem and would heal with time. What he needed to get a handle on was the rage eating him from the inside. There was no way that gutter punk was going to win.
Charles took in Blake, and his eyes widened. “Good God, what the hell happened to your face? Were you run over by a damn truck?”
“Looks worse than it feels.” Not true, but he sure the hell wasn’t going to admit it. Had he been sober, things would have ended very differently. He cut straight to the matter, having no desire to discuss the unfair fight. “Do you recall Mr. Grimm?”
“Yes. He’s a hard man to forget. I don’t have many clients his age with such a large customer base already established. Why?”
Blake choked down his resentment at the praise. Maybe Charles knew Grimm was fucking his daughter and needed to talk up the thug. Either way, time to get rid of him.
Blake wanted Jacob gone, preferably in a demeaning way. “A strong client base isn’t everything. The man’s a ticking time bomb. I’m afraid when he goes off, some of the blowback will land on Swift.”
Charles clicked his pen a couple of times and exhaled. “Go ahead. Tell me why.”
“My first worry is his sketchy background.” Blake had spent most of his weekend examining Jacob’s past. He’d discovered a great deal.
Charles cocked an eyebrow. “Your other worry?”
His lack of concern with Jacob’s unsavory history surprised Blake. Deciding to move past it, for now, he tried another tactic. “I’ve been debating if I should mention this. Earlier, I visited the IT department. Grimm wasn’t behaving in a professional manner with your daughter.”
Sure, earlier was stretching things since he’d caught them necking weeks ago. Not to mention, Greta hadn’t seemed to mind. Those inconsequential details didn’t matter. He needed to focus on the desired outcome—getting Grimm’s dirty hands offhiswoman.
Six months they’d been apart, and what had she done? Without his guidance, she started running around with the dogs. Charles should be begging him to take his daughter back.
Instead, he asked mildly, “I’ve heard talk… Are you telling me he’s harassing Greta?”
“Well…” He sighed, hoping he sounded regretful. “I didn’t want to bring unwanted attention to Greta.”
Charles’s brows furrowed, causing a deep line between his eyes. “She would not mind. Especially if this man was mistreating her.”
“I’m not sure how Greta felt,” Blake hedged.
“What do you mean?” Annoyance was beginning to edge into Charles’s voice.
Damn it.
“I don’t know if she did or did not welcome his advances.” Blake sat in the empty seat directly in front of Charles and leaned forward. “Does it matter? The incident took place here. Such levels of unprofessionalism, mixed with his background, should be enough to release him from his contract, don’t you agree?”
Irritation flashed across Charles’s features, and Blake wondered was it for him or Jacob. “Listen, Blake, I’m displeased with the gossip surrounding my daughter and Grimm, but I do not understand what this has to do with Swift or me personally. Grim hasn’t damaged the reputation of my business, and, from what I understand, Greta doesn’t mind his attention. While I frown on office romances, and my daughter’s actions surprise me, I don’t forbid them in any hiring contracts.”
“He was pawing at her, right there at her desk,” Blake spat, his annoyance pouring out.
Charles cocked his head and lowered his voice. “Are you sure your grievances aren’t for yourself and not Swift?”
Blake didn’t like the pity in the other man’s voice and was unable to keep his growing irritation in check. “Of course not. My worry is for this company and your daughter. She was my fiancée, and I want what’s best for her. Grimm isn’t it. And, Charles, hewon’tbe one of your success stories. He’s a no-rate from a screwed-up family. For God sakes, he even has a criminal record. Is this the type of person you want the company to represent? Or your daughter to be seen with?”
Charles’s gaze narrowed. “Are you questioningmyjudgment, formycompany? You’re an excellent attorney, and I consider your family good friends, so I’ll let your highly offensive attitude slide.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. “Listen, Blake, it’s best if you contend with legal matters and let me deal with selecting clients.”
Blake was aghast at how bad this was going. He needed to switch strategies.
Now.
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean to insinuate you don’t know your business. I’m merely worried. I believe Grimm’s using Greta because she’s your daughter. Plus, I’m afraid his criminal past will hurt Swift. What if he has not left it behind? It wouldn’t look good for the company, having such unsavory clients. I only want to protect it.”
