“I agree. Derenbilt is also disappointing. We’ll give them until the end of this quarter to deliver results, or stop our collaboration.”
Logan nods. We talk about the upcoming meeting a while longer, and then he says, “Pippa’s refusing to let me go with her to the divorce hearing.”
“I know; she doesn’t want me there either.” When she told me that she and Terence have the first hearing coming up, I insisted on going with her, but she wouldn’t hear of it.
“I don’t want her to see him on her own again. What are we going to do about it? ”
“Nothing. She’s a grown woman. We have to respect her decisions.”
“I hate it when you’re being sensible.” Logan snorts, looking away. “It makes me look like even more of a hothead. I want to make sure our sister is all right and that asshole gets what he deserves.” He balls his hands into fists.
“So do I. Which is why he’ll go bankrupt faster than he can sign the divorce papers. I had some interesting calls from people he wants to work with. Apparently, he listed Bennett Enterprises as a client.”
Logan snaps his head to me, his eyes bulging. “I knew he was an asshole. I never realized he was a blithering idiot too. He actually had the guts to list us? We set that business up for him so he wouldn’t feel inferior. Can’t believe we worried about his ego,” he finishes through gritted teeth.
“We were worrying about Pippa, and his ego was hurting her.” When Terence started showing his true colors, Pippa thought it was because he was feeling inferior. I knew it was because he was an asshole, but I wanted to see my sister happy. Some men don’t take it lightly if their women earn more than they do. Especially if said wives are worth billions. So Logan and I literally set up a business for him, ran it, and he called himself CEO. Since he’s incompetent, I suspect he’ll go bankrupt soon with or without my involvement, but I prefer to have a hand in it so I can get my vengeance on the bastard.
Chapter Fourteen
Ava
I stay in my office the next three days, keeping contact with others to a bare minimum. I’m not trying to avoid anyone—not even Sebastian—but I’m buried in work. Right now, I have to attend a meeting of the board. Logan and Sebastian invited me, saying it’ll be great for me to get an overview of the company. I very much appreciate it, since clients usually don’t bother, leaving me to my own devices.
Sebastian is ruthless in the boardroom. He is fair and listens to everyone’s opinion, but he’s ruthless nonetheless. He commands everyone’s respect, and when he decides something, no one but Logan dares to contest it.
During the break, I chat with Pippa.
“Your brother is quite the iron-fisted boss.”
“Someone has to be,” Pippa comments.
“Sure. And he does it well. Usually, when bosses attempt to be strict, they come off as assholes. Sebastian comes off as someone who knows what he’s doing,” I finish with confidence.
Pippa scans me, pursing her lips and winking at me. I freeze and then take a gulp of burning-hot coffee, keeping my eyes on the floor. So I can’t even compliment him without someone realizing I’ve got the hots for him.
Her phone buzzes, and she gives me an apologetic glance. “I need to take this call.”
I nod, finishing my coffee by myself, then send Nadine a message.
Ava: Sebastian is killing everyone in the boardroom, and I find it hot. How can it be? I hate when Dirk does it.
Her reply comes quickly and I smile reading it.
Nadine: That’s because Dirk’s a dick (hence his nickname). Sebastian, my dear, is a bona-fide alpha. It is irresistible, and trembling knees are totally appropriate. After a few seconds, she sends a new message. Can you film him and send me the video?
Heat surges in my cheeks.
Ava: Umm, you PERV. No.
Nadine: Jeez, I didn’t ask for a video of the two of you doing it. He’ll be fully clothed (or if he holds meetings in the boardroom naked, tell me and I’ll come work for him, even if I have to sweep floors).
I type back as quickly as I can.
Ava: Sorry to disappoint, he’s fully clothed. You’re still not getting a video. I know you; you have X-Ray vision.
Nadine: *Snort* Remember our rule. If you do him, always use a condom. You have no idea who else he might be doing.
I don’t reply. After the break is over, we all take our seats in the meeting room, except for Sebastian, who paces near the window, lost in thought. He discards the suit jacket, remaining only in his shirt. As I admire his broad shoulders and toned body, I wish I had X-ray vision too.