“That I don’t belong here.”
Hayden spotted a skipped button on Armi’s shirt and he pressed his lips together. He really was kind of a mess, but Hayden thought it was cute. He pointed to Armi’s chest. “You missed one of the buttons on your shirt. Right in the middle.”
“Dammit. I was rushing because I just saw you added me to meetings, and I didn’t want to be late.”
“I sent you an email. Didn’t you get it?”
Armi’s cheeks continued to burn red. “I don’t usually check work email on weekends.”
Hayden rushed to reassure him. “It’s not a big deal. I should’ve texted you and let you know. You’ll be fine.”
Clearly exasperated with himself, Armi pulled out his shirt and began to fix it. “I’m going to try and do my best.”
“I’m sure you will, and I’m going to be there to help you succeed.”
The door burst open, and Whitmore entered. “Armand, why the hell did your PA add you—” He stopped dead, his bugged-out eyes taking in the scene—Hayden standing close to Armi, whose shirt was half-open and pulled from his slacks.
Oh, fuck.
Hayden gave his back to Armi, shielding him and giving him a chance to finish dressing. Of course that didn’t stop Whitmore from jumping to the worst possible conclusion.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this in the office. Is that why you hired him?”
Bright red again, Armi stammered, “Wh-what? N-no. It’s not—”
Hayden drew himself up to his full height and glared at Whitmore. “What you’re insinuating is highly unprofessional and improper. Mr. Winters is the owner and CEO and deserves respect. And I resent your implication as to my qualifications and work ethic.”
He always did have balls. After his arrest and expulsion from college, he’d heard the whispers in town but he’d held his head up and hadn’t given a damn what people would say about him. He’d been more concerned with how his mistake had affected his parents, and that had pushed him to show everyone in their small town he could make something of himself. His parents’ love and support were the strengths he leaned on and learned from.
Finished with his clothing, Armi stepped from behind him. “What seems to be the problem, Jacob?”
“He”—Whitmore pointed to him as if Hayden didn’t have a name, and he bristled but remained quiet—“without permission, added you to meetings.”
Armi darted a glance his way, chewed his bottom lip, and Hayden hoped he’d stand up to the bully.
“Uh, yeah, I guess it would’ve been better had someone said something beforehand. But I think I should be there, don’t you?”
Hayden hated how apologetic and hesitant Armi sounded and jumped to defend him.
“It’s true. I added Mr. Winters to the meetings without him knowing. But shouldn’t he have been on the list to begin with? Do you know why he wasn’t?” In Hayden’s opinion, it was easy enough to see.
“That’s not your business,” Whitmore snapped.
“Correct, but itisMr. Winters’s business, and his business is mine insofar as the Kings. My loyalty is to him. Now, please let him finish getting ready for the budget meeting in”—he checked his watch—“fourteen minutes.”
Whitmore worked his jaw, then spun on his heel and stalked out.
“I can’t…wow.” Armi’s drawn-out breath whistled behind him. “I’ve never heard anyone speak to Jacob like that.”
Hayden wished he’d held his tongue. He was afraid he’d made an enemy of Whitmore, but he couldn’t stand there and let him browbeat Armi.
“I hope you don’t mind that I added you to the meetings.”
“N-no. I don’t, but…” He bit his full lower lip. “I didn’t have a chance to look at what the meetings were about, and I don’t want to look unprepared. Would you mind…”
“Do you want me to come with you? I’ve read some of the financial reports and made some notes for you.”
“You did? You’d do that?”
