Page 57 of Moth Manager
“You really didn't know about—me?” I demand, searching their faces for any sign of deception.
“We had no idea,” Bailey says.
“I wouldn't have allowed your company to become an asset if I'd known.” Sacha frowns, while his hand reaches down to pet a kitten clamoring across his lap.
“So it’s all what? A coincidence? You expect me to believe that?” I scowl at him.
“I expect that this was all Ness's plan. He led the acquisition, and he loves to meddle in other people’s business. I've been stepping away from the company since—” He gestures at Bailey and the cat café in general.
“You’re claiming Ant didn’t have any part of it?” I grumble.
“I don’t think Pontius even knew it was happening,” Sacha ponders.
“His signature was on all of the contracts.”
“Hislawyer’ssignature was on all of the contracts.” Sacha corrects me. “That should have been my first clue something was up. Ness was cagey about the deal but I didn’t know this was what he had planned.” He scratches a kitten’s head with one hand, and the other pulls out his phone to type a message.
“How could Pontius not know?” I bite out. Did he forget about me? Has he not thought about me at all for the past couple months? My nervous feet can’t hold still any longer and I start pacing the room.
“He’s been in Canada,” Bailey says.
I roll my eyes.
“He was visiting family,” Sacha agrees.
“He may have found a sister he didn’t know he had.” Bailey confirms, her face tinged with concern. “He’s been searching for family members?—”
“I know who he’s been looking for,” I snap. I cross my arms over my chest and stop pacing the room. “You knew that Pontius was obsessed with me.” I accuse Bailey.
“No!” she insists. “I didn’t know he was the cryptid you were talking about! I promise. My goodness, I am so sorry, Piper.” She reaches for my shoulder. “I should have realized. I wish I’d known. I really do. Pontius can be—odd. I knew he met someone new, but I didn’t know any of the details. Ness said you two were ‘taking it slow’, that Pontius finally found someone who broke the spell Tiffany had him wrapped up in. No idea what he saw inher.”
“His ex? I heard about her.” I sink into one of the chairs not occupied by a cat. My blood boiling at thought of the things she said to him. “She sounds like a—piece of work.”??1
Bailey's eyes glimmer. “The only thing that snapped Pontius out of her clutches was a woman he met in a bar. Someone who was smart, and kind, and treated him like he was worth being with.”
My heart somersaults. “You don’t need to make me feel guilty for not being with him.” I snap.
“I don’t want you to feel guilty!” Bailey holds up her hands in surrender. “Pontius needed you.”
“It shouldn’t have happened like this. But, Pleasant couldn’t help himself.” Sacha leans back against one of the benches, his legs stretching long across the floor. “I’ve been there. It’s impossible to stay away from your mate once you find them. It’s not his fault.”
“Are you blaming me?” I bite back.
“I’m blaming Ness.” Sacha rumbles a noise in the back of his throat. “That bastard basically fired me for daring to fuck my assistant?—”
Bailey gestures to herself, indicating that she was the assistant. I stifle a giggle even though none of this should be funny.
“And now he’s ready to purchase an entire company for Pontius? I’m going to strangle that three-foot neck.” Sacha continues grumbling even while a kitten climbs him to settle onto one wide shoulder.
“He won’t really hurt him,” Bailey tells me with a little smile. “I’m really sorry, Piper.” Her face is so completely earnest I could only believe she’s telling the truth.
Sacha pauses typing on his phone long enough to actually look at me. “Piper, this will be taken care of. Just please. Don’t do anything rash.”
“She won’t!” Bay announces loudly. “She just needs some time to think. Give her some time to think about it. Right, Piper?”
“What makes you so sure?” I grumble.
“Because you already love him.” She grins.
