“Maybe if my own father wasn’t trying to throw me to the wolves, I’d be in a better mood.”
“Again, a bold statement. Blaming me for your inability to keep things in order is hardly a leadership quality. If you want help with the business, just ask. I’ll be happy to step in if you’re struggling.”
For years, I’ve been running the business. Years. He’s been off living a luxurious life, pretending to everyone else that he adds value, but anyone who works with me knows he’s been out of the picture.
All he wants is the title. I’ve taken it away from him, and now he’s throwing a tantrum.
If my father took control of the businesses, they’d collapse. He knows nothing about what’s been going on. He wouldn’t have a clue how to keep things running.
The fact that he can’t admit this, or give me an ounce of credit…
I’m losing control, ready to punch him in the face. I want to hear the satisfying snap of his nose breaking.
He picks up a crystal bottle and pours gold liquid from it into a matching glass. Ice chimes against the side of the glass as it stirs in the bourbon.
I take a step towards him, my fists clenched, diplomacy disappearing. I want to grab the bottle from his hand and smash it against the side of his head.This wasn’t my plan.I didn’t come here to fight him. I came here to manipulate a confession from him. But so far, all I’m gaining is more stress. More reason to hate the guy.
My phone rings.
The sound is jarring, pulling every muscle in my body tight for a second. But it also causes me to pause, pulling me from the brink of doing something stupid.
I turn my back on the old man and tug the phone from my pocket.
Georgie’s personal bodyguard.
Why is he calling me?
I answer in a hurry and speak in hushed tones.
“Is she okay?” I ask, my hand cupped over my mouth to muffle my conversation.
“Sir, she collapsed. I have her in the car, we’re on our way to the hospital. I don’t know what’s wrong, but she looks terrible.”
“Which hospital?” I demand.
“The Gold State. City Center. We’re a minute away.”
“Is she conscious?”
“In and out.”
“I’m on my way.”
Hanging up, I don’t even bother saying goodbye to my father.
He calls after me, “Kristopher? You aren’t staying for a drink? I thought you wanted to discuss me taking the stress of the business off your hands?”
A minute ago, his remark would’ve had me frothing again, but now my thoughts are elsewhere.
All I want is to be at her side.
Why didn’t I stay home today and take her to the doctor? Guilt stabs into me.It’s okay. She’s going to be okay.
I drive like a bat out of hell, realizing that there is only one thing in this world that really matters to me—her. I could lose everything else and still pick myself up. But if I lost her, I’d be destroyed.
Chapter 20 - Georgie
My head spins as my vision fades in and out of focus. Someone is carrying me. It’s not Kristopher. He smells different. He feels different.
