Flames of anger threaten to erupt from my chest like a dragon. “I resent the implication.”
“It’s only one year,” he says. “Keep it simple. Jerk off. Watch porn. And if all else fails, go to Dark Compulsion, sit your ass down in a voyeur’s room all night long, jerking off to live fucking, then go back home and jerk off some more. So what if you end up with carpal tunnel? As long as you keep your eyes on the prize.”
His insulting words are crude and an assault to my ears.
“Who says I can’t have the throneandthe girl?”
“That’s overly confident, even for you.”
“Fuck off, Slate.” I jab my hand into my hair.
“We made the decision as a family you were going for the CEO position. If you didn’t have the balls to see it through, you should’ve said so. You should’ve stepped aside and let me marry Michaela.”
I see red and I’m filled with unshakable jealousy. He’s my brother and my blood, but damn him if he thinks Michaela was meant to be his. He has no claims on her. None whatsoever.
There was talk of Slate becoming CEO because the board is more accepting of his personal life and his playboy image isn’t as hardcore as mine. That probability was off the table the second Niels showed me Michaela’s photo.
“I would’ve kept my dick inside my pants for the sake of the family legacy.” He’s not finished with me yet. “You have God knows how many rooms in your penthouse. You don’t have to share the same bed.”
I’m surprised by the animosity in his voice.
“I know what I’m doing, Slate.”
“Michaela is a distraction.”
“Michaela isn’t a distraction. Securing our legacy is my top priority?—”
“You could’ve fooled me.” He scoffs. “Wait until Roman, Wilder, and Dad find out your status has changed to arranged marriagewith benefits. They’re going to be as pissed off as I am you’re willing to jeopardize everything for a piece of ass?—”
“Watch your goddamn mouth, little brother,” I say. “She’s more than a piece of ass, you fucking moron. FYI, Wilder has known since our wedding day there was more between us, and Dad figured it out on his own. He even brought it up today?—”
“So Roman and I are the only two kept in the dark?” His aggressive tone irritates the hell out of me.
“Roman’s main priority is to recover, not keep up to date with the intricacies of my marriage. As for you… I would’ve told you?—”
“Great.” He lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Potter might get his wish after all.”
I grip my phone hard. “Fuck. You.” I end the call, pissed off to no end. “Asshole.” I don’t care if he can’t hear me. I needed that off my chest.
Chapter 33
Phoenix
Unless we’re away on holidays, Dad, Slate, Wilder, Roman, and I kick off the week with a seven a.m. ‘König’ two-hour meeting––no VPs, directors, or executive assistants––either in person or via a video call. We hold a ten o’clock meeting with the board members afterwards, so this is our time to discuss openly behind closed doors. Since Dad had a doctor’s appointment, it’s just the three of us. I may be the interim CEO, but my father has been at the helm of this company for a long time. He’s given me the reins, but now that he’s back on his feet, he likes to be kept abreast of everything that happens.
“Good call on requesting an audit on the budget for the two Spain renovations,” Slate says, wrapping up the meeting. He’s careful not to meet my gaze.
Since last night’s call, things are icy and tension is more real than it was between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. I’m in no mood to justify my relationship with my wife to my own brother. He may not have much faith I can pull this off, but I know I can do it with Michaela by my side.
“I agree,” Wilder says.
“If the renovations in three locations in Italy can come within the allotted budget, why shouldn’t it happen for Pompadour, Barcelona and Pompadour, Madrid?” I say.
Granted, during the conference call in Paris my wife’s sexy, naked body straddling mine was distracting, I still made a mental note to circle back with the VP of our Spanish locations at her request for more money.
“On a different note,” Slate says, “did Bryce get back to you?”
“His team is still busy following the breadcrumbs,” I say. “He tends to hold back information until he has the full picture. However, he promised a call at six p.m. today with an update.”
