The siblings were driving through Amsterdam. They had both needed to get out of the house. Despite Bash’s proclamation in the board meeting yesterday, he hadn’t fled immediately to Bellford. He’d wanted to, but Lotte had met him, frowning, at home. She’d suggested he take some time to cool his head.
They took Lotte’s car, not one of the black SUVs they often hired. Lotte drove a velvety green Aston Martin Vanquish. The car purred through the streets like an elegant beast, and Lotte kept the music turned low, though the bass vibrated pleasantly through Bash.
“So, what are you going to do now?” Lotte whispered.
He knew what she meant.
This morning, Sophie sat down at the breakfast table with Bash and Lotte and told Bash that the board of Koning Kapitaalgroep had reached a decision. A decision that involved him, though of course, he hadn’t been consulted in it.
They had decided to respect Mr. Gerard Koning’s wishes. Bash would inherit the company, but he would have to prove himself first. He would start at the bottom of Koning Kapitaalgroep, interning in their marketing department. If possible, he would start immediately, finishing up his semester at Bellford online. After graduating, if he proved himself, he would work his way up in the company. He would hardly be running the place—no, Sophie was stepping in as interim CEO. But if Bash proved himself, he could someday inherit the company from his mother.
“Geloof me,” Sophie had said. Trust me. “Je zult het werk uiteindelijk leuk vinden.” You will love the work, eventually.
He didn’t believe her.
“You don’t have to obey,” Lotte said. “You can do what you want to do.”
Bash’s phone was connected to the car’s Bluetooth system. He changed the song. “I know I don’t have to. But what if Mom has a point about honoring Dad’s legacy?”
“Dad’s legacy was all about the company, not about family,” Lotte pointed out.
“Yes. But still.”
Lotte smiled at him as she eased the car around a turn, laying on the horn to inform some tourists that if they didn’t get out of the way, they’d be going to the embassy in body bags.
“I handled things poorly,” Bash admitted.
“Yes. That we can all agree on.”
He was about to say something more when his phone rang. He almost dropped his phone as the call rang through the car’s speakers.
“It’s Adonis!” Lotte shrieked helpfully, as if Bash couldn’t see that for himself. “Answer!”
“Not when you can hear!” Bash protested. “How do I turn the speaker off?”
“Just answer!”
“I need to—”
“ANSWER IT!”
With that, Lotte pressed “answer” and then glared pointedly at Bash.
“Hello?” Adonis was saying from the other end. “Bash?”
“Hi!” Bash said, squeezing his eyes shut and silently flipping Lotte off. “Sorry, I’m in the car! But I’m here.”
“How are you?” Adonis sounded quieter than usual. Like the whole of the Atlantic reallydidseparate their call.
“I’m okay,” Bash said. “Things have been kind of tense here.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now.”
There was a pause. “Bash…” Adonis began. He cleared his throat. “Um. Boy, I didn’t think I’d be this nervous.”
Lotte’s eyes widened as she stared at Bash.
