Page 19 of The Butler

“What did Mr. Mann do to you?”

“He fucking stole my boyfriend! That’s what the motherfucker did!” He heard my rage and I sensed him giving up on me and my reasoning. “Let me guess. You have a different opinion?”

“Did he steal him or did Troy go willingly?” he asked. “Were you blindsided by them?”

“Not exactly,” I said.Maybe I wasn’t attracted to this person after all.That would be a lie. I was. “I saw their burgeoning connection and ignored it.”

“You deserve to be angry at Brock. I’ll give you that.”Gee thanks.“But Brock didn’t steal anyone that didn’t willingly leave with him.”

Who was this truth teller sitting in front of me? “So, you say I should just forgive and forget?”

“Forgive for sure, but forget? Not a fucking chance, Linc,” he said. “But why take revenge on a former friend when you’ll still feel shitty? Take the high road this time for a change.”

“High road with a fucking louse? What does that mean?” I asked.

“You aresogoing to fire me after this,” he said.

This was going to be good.I sat forward and placed my wine glass on the coffee table. He had my full attention now.

Dek cleared his throat and gestured toward me. “Lincoln Carrington is used to getting what he wants,” he began. “You buy whatever you want, go wherever you want, do whatever you want, and apparently, you have the power to destroy people if you so decide. In regard to Troy and Brock Mann, try to be the bigger man for once. Take your pain and do something positive with it.”

I glared at him, pissed that he basically referred to me as having a small personality. “Get the fuck out of my cabin, Dek.”

Hewasgoing to get fired.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Deklyn

Linc stood, grabbing his workout clothing from the bed before walking toward the head, so I quickly followed behind. “I’ve overstepped, sir. I’m sorry,” I began. “I never know when to shut up with stupid advice.”

I stepped through the open door and found him leaning over the sink, his back to me. I wasn’t sure if I should heed his demand and get out, or if I needed to make sure he knew I was sorry about my advice.

Linc turned around, crossed his arms defensively and glared at me. “So, you think I enjoy destroying people?” he asked. “Or perhaps I need to grow up and be a bigger person after getting screwed over by two of the most important people in my life?”

I was speechless and could clearly see he was angry. “Was that too harsh?” I stupidly asked.

He turned his back to me again and gripped the edges of the sink so tight his fingers were turning white. “You’re right, Deklyn. I’m an asshole, so thanks for reminding me.”

I moved forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. He flinched and stepped to the side, still avoiding eye contact. “That’s not what I meant, Linc.”

“Why don’t we get back to you calling me sir,” he stated. “You can leave now.”

I stood motionless for a second before walking out of the head. I paused at the door to the outer hallway and waited for something, anything, that would give me the opportunity to stay, but all I heard was him shutting the door to the head.

I should have immediately gone to my room and stayed put until someone requested me so they could shit-can me, but instead I wandered up to the deck and found a quiet space on the bow, out of sight of the few guests on board. Tears filled my eyes and I wasn’t sure if they were because I knew I was going to lose an opportunity to catch up financially or because I’d hurt Mr. Carrington’s feelings. I thought we were sharing and having a casual conversation. To be fair, I had asked permission to speak freely, but let’s face it, how often does that ever work out for the bearer of advice your target really doesn’t want to hear?

Two of Mr. Carrington’s guests were seated on the other side of the massive forward deck, so I was doing my best to avoid being seen. There was plenty of seating, large potted plants, and so many cozy areas to congregate that I doubted I’d be noticed. One of the duo was a former child star that I recognized when he came onboard with an older gentleman. The former child actor hadn’t been seen in anything for at least a decade and had since let himself go physically. I had a hunch that the old queen he was with now was his last gasp at being relevant so he could cash in before he was completely forgotten. The odd thing about the assorted guests who were being treated like kings while onboard, was that Mr. C. hadn’t even made an appearance since he’d arrived on the ship to say hello to the approximate fifteen visitors.

I stared across the azure water and felt the dam burst forth from my eyes. I was totally fucked now and could possibly be homeless. I’d promised the apartment manager I’d have the rent caught up in two weeks and now I’d failed to keep yet another agreement. That wasn’t the only reason for the hurt though, and I knew it. I’d found myself catching feelings for Linc and no matter how many times I’d reminded myself that men like him don’t have the time of day for losers like me, I’d managed to conjure up a full love story. I was crushing hard and wishing against all odds that maybe he would feel the same way about me.

My job was barely three days old, but Mr. Carrington and I had been working together nicely in my opinion and I’d just gone and ruined things. Perhaps I was mistaken, but I felt something between us. There was a silent communication between the two of us and I was sure I hadn’t made the feelings up in my head. I’d had the impression he liked me more than as a staff member. I’d caught him on numerous occasions watching me when he thought I didn’t notice his appraising gazes.

It was probably best if I did get fired. There was no way he could possibly see me as more than a worker in his perfect world, and I doubted my childish crush would have allowed me to keep things professional. I would have eventually screwed up anyway.

A hand on my shoulder nearly caused me to scream. “Why is the star of the ship out here with the peons?” Jake asked, sliding next to me on the built-in upholstered bench. I didn’t turn to face him because of my red and teary eyes. We sat silently for a minute before he spoke again. “Not talking to the help, are ya?”

I cleared my throat. “Needed the fresh air,” I lied. “The cabin was getting stuffy.”

“You sure that’s all, Dek?” he pushed. “I saw you wiping your eyes as I walked over.”

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