I spent so many years fighting to be seen. Clawing my way out of my father's shadow, building something that was mine, proving I existed outside the Hammond name. Somewhere along the way, I stopped noticing when I became the one casting the shadow.
“I'm sorry,” I say. “I've been self-absorbed.”
“Deal with Emma when we get back.” Logan's tone is firm, but the edge has softened. “Face her. Apologize. Do whatever you have to do, but do it yourself. Right now, I need my CFO to help me buy a racing team without getting robbed.”
“Tell me about Federico. He's the one holding out?”
Logan sits back down. “He built that team from a garage. The board wants to sell, but he holds the casting vote. He needs to know the soul survives the sale.”
“He wants a legacy, not a liquidation.”
“Exactly. We walk in talking profit margins, he shows us the door.”
Logan returns to his notes. I watch him for a moment, then walk toward the rear of the plane.
In the galley, I pull out my phone. Thumb hovers over the record icon. A text can be dissected, picked apart. I want her to hear my voice.
“Emma.”The word sounds strange in the quiet cabin. “I'm on a plane to Spain for work. I realize I overstepped. I thought I was helping, but I see now that I didn't give you a choice. I'msorry. I'm not giving up on us, even if you want me to stay in official channels for now. I'll see you when I get back.”
I hit send before I can overthink it.
The jet banks toward the coast. I stare at the dark screen.
Providing is how I show I care. It's the only language I know. I offered her the world, and she sent it back unopened. If she won't let me give her anything, I don't know what I am to her.
Through the window, the Spanish cliffs rise from the Mediterranean mist. I have all the power in the world, and I'm sitting in a cage of my own making.
CHAPTER 22
THE AMBUSH
EMMA
I slidemy feet into the midnight navy heels Kai bought for me. They're beautiful. They make me feel six feet tall. Every time the heel clicks against the floor, I feel a pang of guilt. A gift from a man I'm trying to keep at arm's length, and yet they're the only things in my closet that make me feel powerful enough to face the vultures.
Miles is leading a campaign of exclusion. I see him huddled with the junior designers near the coffee station, voices dropping the moment I walk past. He raises an eyebrow at my dress, gaze lingering on the heels with a look that sayswe all know how she paid for those. I ignore him and focus on the ELK storyboards. Zoe's smile during our breaks is the only thing keeping me anchored.
My monitor pings with an invite.Lunch Meeting. Sarah Jenkins. 12:30 PM. Bistro de la Mer.
I spend the morning refining the community outreach metrics, assuming Sarah wants a technical briefing. I walk the three blocks to the bistro with my head high.
The restaurant is soft lighting and expensive linen. I scan the tables for Sarah's blonde head. Instead, I find Kai in a corner booth.
He's back. Skin darker from the Mediterranean sun. His eyes lock onto mine.
He used his head of communications to lure me into an ambush.
“Where's Sarah?” I don't sit. I don't smile.
“At the office.” He stands. “Emma, please. Sit down.”
“Mr. Rhodes, if this is a professional update, I have the latest concepts. If it's anything else, you're wasting my time.”
He winces. “Please don't do that. Just be normal with me for a moment.”
I slide into the chair, portfolio clutched against my stomach. “Normal? You announced to my entire firm that you wanted me on your account. You turned my career into a favor I didn't ask for. Nothing about that is normal.”
“I take care of people, Emma.” He leans forward. “That's what I do. I saw you being overlooked. I used the resources I had to fix it. I thought you'd understand I'm on your side.”
