Antonio looked at him. “Is it? Because the more time that passes, the more I feel like we’re not actually business partners, and you’re running a game I can’t even comprehend.” He shouldn’t open with something this aggressive, but he needed to figure out what was going on with Justin. The relationship with Emily—or whatever the hell the two of them called it—was only a symptom. Sure, it bothered Antonio more than he was used to. More than Justin’s engagement to Lia did. But it was because he hated watching Justin lose control.
This extended beyond tonight or the friction in the restaurant. It stretched into the company. Decisions Justin made. Priorities he set.
“Last time I checked, we were on the same page,” Justin said. “If you have a problem with the way things are going, there’ve been plenty of chances before now to speak up.”
“My problem isn’t withthings. It’s with trying to figure out where your head is.”
“Excuse me.” Emily’s voice was quiet.
Antonio was surprised she spoke up. She was the other half of what ate at him. His physical attraction to her wasn’t what tripped him up, seeing her here tonight. Despite only working with her for a few days, he was starting to enjoy her company. Which made this feel like a betrayal on multiple levels.
He turned to face her.
She hesitated. “If the two of you are going to have it out in some sort of come-to-Jesus, you don’t need me here.”
“We do.” Antonio studied her. “That’s not limited to this moment in time. I mean that as a more sweeping statement. Speaking of—you were coming up here to talk about development projects. How did that become fucking on the couch? No. Wait. That’s a detail I don’t want.” In a way, he did, but that kind of knowledge could be dangerous.
He looked at Justin. “And we shouldn’t need her. We had this under control. Six months ago, developing PP on the down-low was doable. Now we’re cutting too many corners and making mistakes. It’s not all on you, but you’re pushing hard, and you’re going to do something stupid. Like screwing a contractor who has the power to bring this crashing down on us.”
“You’re right.” Justin’s reply caught Antonio off guard.
Antonio stared at him. “I’m sorry. Say it again?”
Justin smirked.
“I’m not actually that mighty,” Emily said.
“No? If you called Grant right now and told him what you knew, what would happen?” Justin asked.
She shrugged. “I can guess, but I can’t say. It’s never come to that. I’m not sure how many more ways I can put this—I’m not here to see you fail. I look better if this project succeeds.”
Antonio raked his fingers through his hair. The conversation was as undirected as his pacing. “Which brings us back to the couch. The lack of clothes. The why?”
“It was a negotiation,” Justin said at the same time Emily said, “It was a lapse in judgment.”
Justin slapped his palms on the desk. Thethunkshook the floor, and Antonio covered Justin’s hands, locking them in place. They stared each other down, and seconds ticked by.
“Don’tget sidetracked,” Antonio said with a growl.
Justin’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t pull or look away. Behind Antonio, leather creaked.
Seconds later, Emily moved into his peripheral vision. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for. I meant what I told you—what he and I agreed on.” She nodded at Justin. “It’s just sex.”
Antonio broke the staring match, to look at her. “You can see how the line blurs, especially when it happens again after the assurance is made. I want to know if we’re going to have jobs after you talk to your employer.”
“Funny. I have a similar concern aboutyoutalking to him.” She quirked her mouth in a joyless smile.
“Neither one of us is calling him. It’s none of his business who you sleep with.” The irritation was gone from Justin’s tone. “I did it because... It wasn’t for blackmail. How’s that? Hoping I’m not the only one.” There was a hitch in the words. “Will you both sit down? Here, not on the other side of the room?”
Emily complied, and Antonio followed suit. He looked at her. “Your turn. Are you going to Grant with PP?”
Her wince summoned the irritation he’d tried to suppress since he walked in on them.
“Are you fucking kidding?” Justin’s disbelief and annoyance echoed Antonio’s.
“I already told you.” She sounded apologetic. “I don’t want to tell Grant anything, but ethically, I can’t watch you spend investor money on this.”
Justin sighed. “The company has been solvent for years. If you want to dig into our books for proof, we’re funding PP without investor money.”