“Planning what?” I asked. “To destroy you out of spite?”
“Or to take control.” Orion’s expression was grim. “If he can convince the board to remove us for misconduct, he could position himself as interim CEO. Clean up the ‘mess’ we made. Be the hero who saved Olympus Royale.”
“He’d need votes,” Leo pointed out. “We control the majority.”
“We control the majority of equity,” Orion corrected. “But the board vote is different. Articles of incorporation give each board member equal voting rights regardless of ownership percentage. It was meant to protect minority investors from being steamrolled.”
“So, Henri plus three other board members could outvote you,” I said. The implications sank in. The brothers could lose this casino.
“Exactly.” Orion’s jaw tightened. “And if he’s been working on this for a while, if he’s already secured commitments from other board members?—”
“Then we’re fucked,” Leo finished.
My phone rang, the sound jarring in the tense silence. Marta.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Hey, girl. I’m in the lobby, but no one will tell me where you are.”
“Who is that?” Orion asked.
“Marta, my best friend from New York. She just showed up here, though I told her not to?—”
“No,” said Leo. “This is perfect. You can use a friend’s support.”
“I agree,” said Orion. “I’ll go get her.”
“Marta, I’m on the executive floor. You need a key card to come up here, but Orion will come down and escort you here.”
“One of the Kolykos brothers? Honey, you know how to welcome a friend.”
“Behave. He’s the serious one.”
Orion shot me a tight smile. “I’ll be right back.”
Within ten minutes, Orion returned, bringing a starstruck Marta with him.
“Hey, girl!” That voice I’d know anywhere cut through the suite like sunshine through storm clouds.
She pushed past Leo like he was a piece of particularly attractive furniture and beelined straight for me, dropping two suitcases in her wake.
“Marta, what are you doing here?” I stood up, for what felt like the first time in hours.
“What do you think I’m doing here?” She pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. “My best friend’s face is all over the internet, and you think I’m staying in New York?”
“I told you not to come?—”
“And I ignored you. Like always.” She pulled back, holding me at arm’s length to study my face. “You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
“I mean it. Have you slept? Eaten? Showered?” Her nose wrinkled. “Definitely haven’t showered.”
“Marta—” I gestured weakly at Leo, who was watching this interaction with barely concealed amusement. “Leo, this is my best friend, Marta, from New York.”
Marta finally turned to give Leo her full attention, and I watched her eyes go wide.
“Um.” She looked him up and down with zero subtlety. “Aren’t you yummy?”
