“Cut out the cock fight, guys.” Gus removes his glasses and pins first Elliot then me with a stare. “You report to Elliot now, Leon. Elliot, behave like a leader if you want your employees to respect you. Leon remains one of our most talented programmers.”
Elliot grins. “As I said, congratulations.” He pats my shoulder and leaves.
I barely resist the urge to grab his wrist and break his fingers.
“Fine?” I repeat when Elliot is gone. “Just like that?”
“What do you want me to say?” Gus turns his attention back to his computer. “I don’t care who Violet marries. She’s damaged. She can’t make a good deal. You’re doing me a favor by taking her off my hands.”
In other words, letting me marry into the family—his words—were never about giving me the recognition I deserved. Not that recognition was my reason for wanting to marry Violet. No, Gus was only too happy that someone was willing to take over the responsibility of providing for her. Conveniently, he made it seem as if he was doing me an honor.
Providing for Violet will be an honor. I’ll do it with pleasure too.
The kernel of dislike I felt toward Gus when he told Violet her ambition wasn’t important blooms into full-blown aversion. Clenching my fingers, I look at the man I considered a mentor. Not so long ago, I admitted to Damian that Gus was like the father I never had. If this is how little he values Violet, I’ve been a poor judge of character. I’ve wrongly assumed he gives a rat’s ass about my future in this company. I was a fool to believe Gus was intelligent enough to realize Elliot could never have written that program. Or maybe he simply chooses to turn a blind eye because blood will always be thicker than water. Violet doesn’t matter to Gus, and she never will, just like I don’t really count in his book.
When I don’t budge, he looks up. “Don’t worry. Gia and I will be there.”
Their presence at our wedding is the least of my concerns. I can’t give a fuck if they show their faces or not.
“Was there anything else?” he asks with an arched brow.
“No,” I bite out, making an oath to myself as I stomp from his office.
I’ll never fight for anyone’s approval again.
I decided to make Violet mine from the moment I first laid eyes on her, long before she spilled coffee on Elliot’s keyboard and threw wine on my shirt. Her feisty behavior only confirmed what I already knew—that she’s perfect for me. Even stealing from me, no matter how fucking much that hurts, is proof of what a great match we are.
We’re two of a kind, both of us thieves. She stole my work. In turn, I stole her. By my design, she’s finally mine, and I take care of what’s mine. It doesn’t matter that she slayed me. As her husband, it will be my duty to protect her, which means I can’t tell Gus the truth. I can’t tell him what Violet has done. She’s put me in an impossible situation. Living with the lie is the most difficult thing I’ve done. Looking into Elliot’s smug face eats at me like acid, but for now, there’s nothing to do. I made my choice.
Either way, as of today, Gus Starley is dead to me.