When Declan cracks a second smile, more menacing than the first, I know I’ve got him.
Finn didn’t send me for nothing.
I straighten to my full height. “Zenith acquires properties globally. We’ve been around for two decades, and our net worth is currently valued at three and a half billion. We invest in order to develop and manage. We don’t just focus on the money. We possess international expertise in terms of operations, and we primarily concentrate on tourist destinations, along with properties that we believe will have longevity. We want to build history, not just wealth. Brand matters, and the Cypress is off to a strong start.”
“My daughter knows how to smile and fold a napkin, if that’s what you mean. It’s a nice little place she’s cultivated, given her limited abilities.”
What the hell? Limited abilities? Are we talking about the same woman? Does he truly not recognize Maeve for the gem she is?
“I agree.” I struggle not to grit my teeth as I play along. “We see a big future for the hotel. Here’s my card if you and Maeve would like to talk further.” I reach into my breast pocket to retrieve my nonexistent card.
He stops me short.
“We don’t need to roll Maeve into this little chat. I’m the one in charge. Of course, you know this already, or you wouldn’t be here in front of me with blood on your boots.”
I knew adding Maeve’s name to the conversation would prompt him to jump like a tigerfish after a swallow.
The way he disgraced and belittled his own daughter probably pisses me off more than it should.
As much as I want to punch that stupid smirk off his face, this asshat just told me all I need to understand about how he views Maeve’s involvement in his enterprise.
Which is to say, she has no role. Zero. A boss would never talk about one of their right hands like that.
Electric relief surges through me. She’s not involved. Not in any real way.
And all I want to do is defend her to this sad excuse for a man she calls a father.
Considering all the lying and other shit I’ve pulled, I don’t have a leg to stand on. I certainly don’t have the right to harbor this much anger for the sexist pig in front of me.
But, fuck, Maeve is sharp as hell, and her father is selling her—and women in general—short. Doesn’t the man have any loyalty? Does he really not understand how impressive his daughter is? He should be so lucky to have someone like Maeve at the helm of the family business. I’m relieved she doesn’t hold that position. If she did, though, maybe her success would lead Declan to worry less about his second-rate Gallagher status and drop the feud.
Too bad for him, he’s wasting the family potential.
“Follow me, Kellin, back to my office.” Declan whirls around and heads deep into the building, his men on his heels.
Twenty-three hours and counting on Finn’s deadline.
Chapter 32
Maeve
The day flies by without a single word from Kellin.
“He’ll text. Or even call, Maeve. He’s a true gentleman.” Lenora hands off a couple of complimentary waters to some guests heading poolside while I finish checking in a party of two from Kansas. First time in Los Angeles. Friends of the bride.
Since my asshole father refuses to vacate the penthouse, we offered the couple our second-best suite, free of charge, as well as a few other comps.
Yet the man still has the audacity to question our profit margin.
“Why do you say that?”
Lenora winks, grinning. “I can just tell that about a guy.”
She is the best, best girlfriend and employee a person could ask for, except I don’t love how she can read me like a pop-up book.
Plus, if she knew the way he acted in bed, she might retract that gentleman statement. Then again, he does like me to come first, so maybe not.
“Please. I haven’t even thought about him once all day. It’s the Friday before the bigI dos, which means absolute chaos.” I shrug. Unconvincingly.
