“Shit. So what does this mean?”
“Honestly?”
“Always.”
“Either you agree to her demands and give her royalties, work out a one-off payment that will satisfy her, or… take it back to court.”
Fuck. Things are going so well with Calliope that the last thing I want to do is become embroiled in another disaster with my ex. But paying her sets the precedent that moving forward, she could come at me for anything if she even had a hint of involvement while we were together.
“What should I do?” I ask as the taxi pulls up outside the hotel.
“I don’t have an answer yet,” Buster sighs. “Our people are working on it because, as I said, it’s a weak as hell claim. But getting this thrown out while her father puts every single motion and wall in front of us is going to take time.”
I fall silent, turning it over in my mind. “I thought this chapter was over,” I say after a moment of silence. “I thought I was free.”
“I’m sorry, Elijah. But we’re fixing it.”
“Thanks.”
“You got it.”
Ending the call, I pay the driver and tip them extra for dealing with my outburst, then I climb out of the cab with a deep sigh. Imogen was always amazing at making mountains out of the slightest thing, but it was easier back when all she cared about were her status and her reputation. But since we last spoke and she made it clear she was having regrets, I can’t see this as anything other than a way to force herself back into my life.
With my head low and exhaustion tinging my lids, I walk slowly into the hotel and head straight for the elevator, but before I reach it, a pair of silver heels set into my path.
“Sorry,” I murmur, not looking up as I sidestep.
“You should be,” comes a voice that sends an icicle of cold straight down to my gut.
My head snaps up and I lock onto a pair of deeply lined and shadowed blue eyes. “Imogen? What the hell are you doing here?” A hundred questions swam through my mind as I stare at her, namely, how did she get here and how did she find out where I was staying?
“Long time no see, huh?” She tucks a red curl behind her ear and gives me that trademark smile that just never reaches her eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, hyper aware of the various other people milling about the lobby. If Imogen’s good at one thing, it’s making a scene.
“You try to steal from me and have the cheek to ask what I’m doing here?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out about your little deal? No wonder you were trying to rush through the court proceedings. You had this little nugget of a deal in the works and didn’t want me to be a part of it.”
“Imogen, this deal hasnothingto do with you.”
“Doesn’t it?” She tilts her head to one side and taps her chin with a long finger. “My dad says otherwise. I mean, you had me as aliaison at Amber Limited quite a few times when it suited. And now you’re trying to buy up a company I’m passionate about?”
I can scarcely hide my disbelief at the shit pouring out of her. “You’re insane.”
Her eyes narrow. “No, I’m a shrewd businesswoman.”
“Is that what they call it?” I scoff. “You have no interest in Angelic Jewels. One purchase from that place doesn’t make youpassionate.”
“You’ve no idea how many pieces I’ve purchased from there, and now it looks like you’re trying to buy them so I can no longer have access?”
“Imogen, that’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Her eyes narrow further. “I called you. I told you that I regretted things and you even agreed that you checked out of the relationship. I laid the fucking path for you to come back and you didn’t! Did you really think I would let you walk away?” Her voice climbs higher and higher as she speaks, drawing the attention of several onlookers.
Grabbing her by the arm, I force her to walk with me toward the seated area where it’s quiet. “Is that what this is about? You’re pissed I didn’t come running back to you, so now you’re trying to involve yourself in my business?”
