38
JAMES
“Not a very comfortable chair,” Victor grunts, pulling out one of the Herman Miller chairs around the table. “And isn't anyone going to offer us coffee?”
I point to a side table, where carafes of coffee and water have been set next to clean glasses. Nate’s assistant even set out a plate of pastries. Frowning, Victor walks over and pours himself a mug of coffee.
“Too strong,” he grumbles after he sips it.
I resist rolling my eyes. Victor wasn't happy when I moved our meeting from the Pages building to a closed boardroom in the Universal Protection Services office. I know because he sent me almost a dozen disgruntled complaining texts. I ignored them all. Making Victor happy isn't high on my priority list.
Frankly, I didn't want to leave the House of Cards to go all the way across town to Pages. Ever since I learned about Maura's diagnosis, it's like there's an elastic string between us. The further I move away from her, the more uncomfortably stretched I feel. The part of my mind that churns with worry and unfinished tasks goes into overdrive. Contracts, acquisitions,and subscriber numbers fade underneath the throbbing question that seems to constantly occupy my mind.
Is she safe?
At least in Nate's conference room, I'm only a few floors below my wife. I don't expect her to call me if something goes wrong, but I did instruct the doorman to text me if she left the building. A violation of her privacy, maybe, but when it comes to Maura, I've moved past polite or rational behavior.
I try to shove my thoughts of her aside and focus on the meeting. Once Victor’s seated, Jack Archer pours some milk in his own mug of coffee and drinks. “Tastes fine to me,” he says, and Victor’s scowl grows deeper.
“Well, let’s get on with it,” Victor drawls. “You said you had an update for me.”
“Have you spoken with Maura in the past few weeks?” I ask.
Victor shakes his head. “I’ve been occupied.”
“Then you might not realize that we traveled to Greece. While we were there, there was an incident while we were on a hike. Maura experienced a cardiac event and passed out. Fortunately, they were able to stabilize her at a local clinic. She's fine.”
If I expected Victor to look worried for his daughter, I’d be disappointed. His scowl only intensifies so much, he resembles a furious turtle. “Maura’s always been fragile,” he says, sounding annoyed. “She knows she shouldn't be hiking. I swear, sometimes I think she just likes the attention.”
Jack's hand lands on my arm, and I know he anticipated exactly what I want to do right now. Punch Victor Matthews in his goddamn face. How can he be so callous? There's not even a hint of sympathy for Maura.
“The important thing is that she's alright,” Jack says, reminding me as much as Victor.
He might be right—Maura’s health matters more than anything. That doesn’t mean I’m going to let Victor talk aboutmy fucking wife like that. I have deep files on Pages, and while it has valuable assets, it’s also vulnerable to predators who know where to strike. Predators like me. I know exactly how to dismantle Victor Matthews’s fucking empire, and I plan on putting the pieces in place the second he walks out of the building.
“Tell him the rest,” I mutter to Jack, who nods.
“While Maura was at the clinic, they ran some blood tests. James and Maura learned that she's pregnant.”
Victor's eyes light up. “Finally. I was starting to think we'd have to scrap the contract.”
“The pregnancy is high risk,” I snap, wanting to burst his bubble. “The doctor said this could be Maura’s first and only pregnancy. The odds are high that something could go wrong.”
“Was the baby damaged?” Victor asks, alarmed. “When she collapsed, did something happen to it?”
My lip curls into a sneer. What a pathetic, shortsighted little pig. Maura is just an object to him, and he's not even smart enough to see her true value. I was foolish to ever imagine I could go into business with a visionless pig like him.
“Can this pregnancy be salvaged?” Victor’s eyes are wide and desperate. “Tell me, Keller! Is there any chance that she can still produce a viable heir?”
“If you ever talk about Maura like that again, you’ll be out of this building and out of this deal,” I snap, my voice ice-cold. “That’s mywifeyou’re talking about like a womb for hire.”
Victor's face turns cherry red. “How dare you talk to me like that!”
“I'll speak to you however I wish, after you spoke about my wife like some malfunctioning piece of equipment.”
He stands, shoving his chair back so forcefully that it falls to the ground. “If you don't watch your mouth, I'll end the deal right now!” he roars. “Pages doesn't need you.”
“Fine. I'm prepared to end our deal now,” I say coolly, calling his bluff.
