“Yeah,” Marta agreed with a touch of disappointment. “They do seem rather stuck on you.”
I nodded, thinking of each one who had pursued me ardently in their unique styles. I didn’t know where this was taking us, and I hated to think that if the brothers lost the hotel, that would be the end of us. The thought twisted my gut, and a tear formed unbidden at the corner of my eye.
“It will be okay,” Marta said quietly, squeezing my hand.
“You don’t know that.”
“I can see two things. One, these are men who don’t give up. And two, they won’t give up on you.”
I turned my head away.
She offered a small smile. “And I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t fall for men who would.”
“Except for Daniel, right?”
“Daniel seemed okay at the beginning. All the worst ones do. They’re tricksters. We all fall into the dark side at least once. You were not to blame there, and I applaud your courage in leaving his sorry ass on the curb. And look at what you got from the Cracker Jack box? You are a lucky gal. Do you suppose they have a set of triplet friends for me?” Her eyes sparked as she spoke.
“You’re impossible,” I laughed.
I wanted to believe her, to think that whatever was happening in that board meeting, the brothers would find a way through it. But the sick feeling in my stomach told a different story.
The door opened.
All three of them walked in, their faces grim, their shoulders tight with tension. Orion’s jaw was set that way that meant he was barely containing his anger. Leo’s usual easy charm had vanished, replaced by something harder. Ares looked like he wanted to punch something.
“What happened?” I asked.
Orion closed the door behind them and leaned against it, as if he needed the support. “Henri clipped us good at the board meeting.”
My stomach dropped. “And?”
“And we’ve been voted out of executive management. Effective immediately.” His voice was flat and controlled, but I could hear the fury underneath. “Henri’s the new interim CEO.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I stood up, my legs suddenly unsteady. “No. That’s not—he can’t?—”
“He did.” Leo’s voice was tight. “Six votes to three. We’re out.”
“This is all my fault,” I said, the guilt crashing over me in waves. “If I hadn’t—if we hadn’t—” My voice broke. “I should have left at the first sign of trouble. I should have resigned the moment Wilder showed up. I should have?—”
“Stop.” Leo crossed the room and took my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “This is not your fault. None of it.”
“But the video, the allegations, the Gaming Commission investigation—it’s all because of me?—”
“It’s because of whoever’s orchestrating this attack,” Ares interrupted, his voice sharp. “And I think Henri’s been planning this all along.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“The timing’s too perfect,” Orion said, pushing off from the door. “The harassment allegations, the leaked video, the board meeting—it’s all coordinated. Henri didn’t just take advantage of a crisis. He’s involved in manufacturing it.”
“But why?” My mind was reeling. “Why would he do this to you? You’ve been partners for seventeen years?—”
“That’s what we need to find out.” Orion pulled out his phone and showed me a photo. “Thanks to you, we now know more about the man who’s been our business partner.”
I looked at the screen. It was the photo Marta had shown at dinner—her mother and mine laughing together, and in the background, that blurry profile.
“The picture Marta showed me last night,” Orion continued. “Your mother and hers. And Henri Saltz in the background.”
My blood went cold. “Why would he be there?”
