Page 64 of Scorned Queen

“The only man as high up as you that says thank you.I’m a lucky girl to get this gig.”

“Get the hell out of my office, woman.I have to prep for the board meeting.”

Unfazed she taps her watch.“Too late.It’s in ten minutes though I know how you are.You’ll make a grand entrance a tad bit after everyone else.”She smiles and walks toward the door.

My cellphone rings with Alexander’s number.“I haven’t gotten the agreement.I don’t like how they’re fucking with us.Proceed accordingly.”

I’d think Agent Allen didn’t think the case was solid enough to move forward, but I saw the file Blake put together.It’s a brick.

I chat with Alexander a few more minutes and decide I do not want to give my father time to chat up the boardroom.That would look a little too submissive to play the game I plan to play which is anything but.I exit my office and head that way.Naomi calls after me.“Too early.”

I lift a hand and keep walking.

A short walk later, I enter to boardroom to find the room full, my father at the opposite end of the table from me.We stare each other down, lion to lion, and the room sparks with discomfort.Max clears his throat.“Anyone have anything to say before the vote?”

“I do,” my father states, glancing around the room.“I know you all so very well.So much so that you should take comfort in voting for me.”

My cellphone buzzes in my pocket on silent mode and I ignore it, as my father pins me in a stare, “Don’t you agree, son?”

The statement, meant to diminish me as a player, has my lips curving.“I do not agree, old man.”

His eyes flare with hot spikes of anger.“Age is experience.”

My phone buzzes again, and again I ignore it as I challenge, “Age is exhaustion.”

It’s right then that Naomi pokes her head in.“Damion.There’s an emergency situation.I need you now.”

My father’s eyes glow with satisfaction that tells me he knows exactly what’s going open.“I can handle the vote.”

I don’t give two fucks what he does.I step into the hallway and Naomi shoves a phone at me.“Blake.”

Fuck, I think.I settle the cell to my ear.“Blake.”

“Alana’s father was killed in a car accident this morning.She doesn’t know.Someone I know saw a flag I had on his file and called me from the scene.You need to go to her.”

There might as well be drums exploding in my ears.“This is no accident.”

“I’m aware,” he says.“We’re working on proving that.A car is waiting on you downstairs.Adam said Alana is filming.He knows to keep her away from the news.”

“I’m on my way down.”I hand Naomi the phone, ignoring her concern as I start walking and I don’t stop until I’m in the backseat of the SUV sent for me, with Savage across from me.He says nothing but I do.“If Caleb did this—”

“He did.I know he did.I’ll handle him.”

That’s all he says and it’s enough.

She just told me about rehab for her father this weekend and new hope for his future.And now this.And I did this to Alana.I pulled her into my life, I pushed my father too hard.I might as well have killed her father myself and she’ll eventually get to the same point of view.I’ve lost her, just when I’ve found her.

Right now though, I need to hold her up, because she’s about to crumble.

Chapter fifty-two

Alana

I’msittingbehindadesk that is an exact replica of my Blue office desk filming when Lana whispers to Delilah, my director, and she calls out, “Cut!”

Delilah then shouts, “Fifteen-minute break.Clear the room.”

Clear the room?

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