Page 132 of The Wildest One
“You have to admit, before the Kirk incident, things were running so smoothly,” she said.
He ignored her and eyed me. “What happens if you two break up?”
I was still holding his desk, and I released it, sliding back in my chair. “Forgive me when I say this, but if you and your wife get divorced, she’s half owner of the team—am I right?” His glare told me I was correct. “What would then happen to the ownership? Would it be yours? Hers?” I raised my hand before he could say anything. “The point I’m trying to make is that we can’t predict what’s going to happen between us—no one in any relationship can. But I can tell you that if it were up to me, she’d be moving in with me now.”
His brows rose extremely high, the grooves in his forehead deepening. “Moving in with you?”
I nodded.
He asked his daughter, “And do you agree?”
“Yes, Dad, I agree.”
“Let me get this straight.” He ran his hand down the back of his hair. “As a business owner who lives, breathes, sleeps, eats, and dies by his company, you’re telling me, Beck, that I should just sit back and assume all is going to be good with you two? And if shit hits the fan, I’m supposed to just deal with it then?”
I put my hand on Jolie’s shoulder. I needed the contact, and I assumed she did too. “We’re mature adults. We know what’s at stake. If things were to end, we would handle it cordially.”
Her nod told me she agreed.
“But whether I’m with your daughter or not, I want her to have a place within this team.”
His head dropped. “I don’t know …” He let out a loud breath. “I just don’t know.”
“I can handle this, Dad. I need you to trust me.”
As her vulnerability hit me, I squeezed the spot I was holding.
She was showing; she wasn’t just telling.
All that did was make me love her more.
He lifted his face to say, “You’re saying that, regardless of what happens with you and Beck, you will conduct yourself professionally at all times.”
“Of course,” she replied.
“And the two of you understand what’s at risk here—it’s one thing to say you do, it’s another to actually calculate that risk and look it square in the face.” He pushed his chair several inches away from his desk and crossed his legs. “Remember, the second the media speculates that something is amiss between you two, we’re going to have another Vegas situation on our hands, and I will not tolerate that.”
“Mark, I’ve been in the mainstream media for a long time. It started in college, and it’s been that way my entire career. I know how it works. I’m no rookie when it comes to the press or paparazzi.”
“But my daughter is.” He focused on her. “Will you be able to handle the spotlight?”
“For Beck”—she gazed at me—“I’m willing to do anything.”
Mark rocked in his chair. “I’m not promising either of you anything. But I’m willing to see how things go on a trial basis.” He waved his finger in the air. “I hope I don’t regret this decision.” He took a deep breath. “The second I feel like things aren’t working the way I want them to, I’m pulling the plug, and Jolene is getting reassigned to a different account.”
She moved to the end of her chair. “Dad, I’ve worked so hard to get this job. But I can’t be the best version of me if I’m constantly walking on eggshells, knowing at any moment, you can take it all away from me.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, even though it didn’t stay. “I’ve already taken full responsibility for Vegas. I told you that on the phone when we spoke. I told you that again today before Beck even walked into your office. But the thing is, I’m going to make more mistakes. I’m going to screw up again. I’m human, I’m not perfect.Sometimes, real moments happen in life, and they’re out of my control.” She was keeping her emotion down, but I could see it; I could feel it. “Just because I have imperfections and I don’t do everything the way you want me to doesn’t mean I deserve to lose everything.”
Fuck.
I was so proud of her.
This was the first time I saw a break in Mark’s face. It wasn’t a smile, but it wasn’t the frown he’d been sporting since I had walked in.
“You have a point … and I can’t disagree with it.”
“What are you saying?” she inquired.
He licked his lips and wiped them with his hand. “You conduct yourself with professionalism, and you continue doing what you’ve been doing, and I think things will be okay—assuming you keep your phone on you at all times.” He cleared his throat. “However, I reserve the right to change my mind.”
