Page 65 of Takeover
Michael found his voice. “Youspoketo him?”
“And his wife, yes. You were demoted when they sold the company. We wanted to know why.”
Wife. Susan.Shit, they had gone and done that, then. “You knew this before we sat down back there.”
“They think the world of you.”
Michael reached for his water, wishing it were something much stronger. Sam wasn’t the only one who’d need therapy when they got back to Pittsburgh.
Rasheed. Susan. His heart twisted into knots.
“They confirmed that where you ended up was not where you should have. It speaks volumes to your loyalty that you stayed. You care quite a bit about Four Rivers.”
That was an understatement. “Yes, I do.”
“Good.” Greta turned to Sam. “You have lunch with Dr. Malik, yes?”
“At noon. With William. Whereupon I am to warble about his wonders or William will toss Michael under the bus.”
Michael nearly choked on his water. “Me?”
Sam studied his hands. “He guessed that threatening me wouldn’t do anything. So he chose another target, one he thought I might protect.” He looked up. Lines of anger and worry marred Sam’s face. “It was a very good guess.”
That heartened Michael, as did the sudden realization of one of the other reasons they were sitting here. “You don’t want to see everyone back at the office screwed over by William.”
“No. Neither of William’s outcomes is acceptable.” Sam leaned back. “So I’m doing the only thing I can.”
Greta snorted. “You’re changing the rules.”
“I’d prefer to think of it as blazing my own path.” He paused. “But it’s not just mine anymore.”
It was also Michael’s. “I’ll take my lumps for… this inappropriate relationship,” he said to Greta. “I want what’s best for my team and the office. You can’t let William run them into the ground.”
Greta rubbed her forehead, then took her cell phone from her blazer pocket and stood. “Let me make a call. I’ll be back.” She walked away from the table.
Michael laid his hand on the table, palm up. Sam hesitated for a moment, then covered it with his own. Sam’s palm was sweaty and his pulse nearly as fast as Michael’s own. “He was in the locker room.”
Hell. “He couldn’t have seen anything.”
Sam shook his head. “But he very well might have heard quite a bit.”
“Or guessed from the clothing by the lockers.”
“Does it matter?” Sam sounded amused, but there was sadness layered on top.
“No. And I don’t regret that day at all.” He squeezed Sam’s hand.
Sam’s expression was thin. “I don’t want to regret it, but we did break the rules. A case could be made that I took advantage—”
“Hush. One could as easily be made that I came on to you. Especially since I did in Curaçao.” He paused. “I don’t regret that either.”
Sam exhaled. “Neither do I. That night was the second best night of my life.”
Curiosity got the better of Michael. “What was the best?”
“Last night.” Sam’s smile took on depth and warmth.
Just you wait.“There will be more.”
