Page 11 of Flame
He sighs, preparing for battle.But what are we battling? What do I not know?
“I don’t know what I’m walking into back there,” Jason says. “I’ve talked to Landry Security and our brothers,and Mom, and we all think it might be best if you didn’t come back with me.”
I let go of the chair. “Excuse me?”
“Today’s stunt is out of pocket—even for Dad. He’s scrambling, and people are dangerous when they scramble.”
“He’s our father, Jason. I worked with him more closely than any of you for years. He’s not going to do anything to me.”
“Exactly. You worked with him more closely than any of us. You know the ins and outs of every business deal, every company, everything he’s touched for …” He pauses. “Hell, Bianca—you were in his office since you could walk. If anyone is a target—it’s you.”
I close my eyes and grimace.
It makes sense. I am the interim president. I have access to every document and contract. If our father has left a trail of nefarious dealings behind and we haven’t found them yet, I’ll likely be the one who sniffs it out.
Fuck.
“Gannon will step in and keep things running until you get back. Just think of it like a little vacation. You need one anyway. This whole thing has impacted you more than the rest of us.”
That’s true, too. I haven’t been sleeping well. I’ve spent more hours in the office than I have at home since Dad’s betrayal. Jason had to pry me out of my office to get me to accompany him on this random adventure today.
It has felt nice getting some fresh air…
I open my eyes. “For the record, I think you’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“Cool. I hope you’re right.”
Ugh. I pace a small circle. “Where would I go? Renn’s condo in Vegas?”Not a bad idea. “Maybe you could have security just meet me there—”
“You’re staying here.” Foxx’s words are crisp and quick.
My head whips to his.I’m staying here? Has he lost his mind?
I don’t know what my face does, but he rolls his eyes.
“I hardly think staying with you is the solution we’re looking for,” I say.
He doesn’t back down. “You just bid ten grand for one date with me. Think of it as a bonus.”
Asshole.
“So, Vegas?” I ask, letting my gaze rip slowly from Foxx as I turn to my brother. “Or Gannon has that place in Aspen. I could go there.”
“Actually, I think Foxx might be right,” he says.
“What?” I laugh in disbelief. “May I remind both of you that Foxx doesn’t even want to work with me? Yet you’re suggesting I stay with him for how long? A few days? A week?” I laugh again. “What’s wrong with you, Jason?”
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “You’re already here. And if something does pop off, I want you with Foxx. I trust him more than anyone in the world.”
“Nothing is going topop off. I assure you that you’re overreacting.”
“Great. Then enjoy the beach vacation, Bianca. But don’t fight me on this. This is the right thing to do, and you know it.”
I sit again and hold my head in my hands.How in the world did I get into this mess?
I want to argue my point—inform Jason thatI amgoing home with him and there’s nothing he can do about it. But Jason doesn’t overreact. If he’s insisting I stay put, it’s for a reason.
But staying with Foxx? Spending a few days with him, alone,in his house, I presume, sounds like heaven … or hell.
