He shoots up off the couch, anger coating his features, fists clenched at his sides. “You can’t do that!”
I remain where I am, stone-faced with zero emotion. “I can do whatever I want. This is my club. You want to sell your shit through a strip club, start your own.”
“My bosses won’t be happy.”
“Then maybe your bosses should have taken the answer no when I told them the first time. And it’s a done deal. I already have a new partner.”
“You’re gonna regret this, asshole.”
I shrug. “I think you meanyou’regoing to regret this. My business is just fine.” I hold his stare as it filters through a range of emotions—anger, disbelief, anxiety, and fear.
Oh yes, I bet he’s afraid to report up the chain how he’s handled this and how he fucked it all up. But that’s not my problem. He created this problem for himself.
Sean stabs his finger in my direction. “You’re going pay, asshole, big time.”
I stand unhurriedly, buttoning my suit jacket closed. Then I grin at him. “I don’t think so.” I saunter toward the door and leave, passing by Ray stationed at the end of the hall. “Make sure Sean leaves without causing any problems.”
He nods and heads back to the room I just left. I’ve already instructed Ray to tell his staff that Sean and his goons are no longer welcome here.
Sean might try to cause me some trouble, but I won’t accept working with someone who tries to change the rules of the game just because they think they can take advantage of me.
When I return to my office, Hattie is already gone. I figured she would be, but for whatever reason, I feel more on edge that she’s not here with me. I collapse back into my chair, annoyed with myself, and undo my suit jacket, then I slide my phone from the pocket. I felt it vibrate with a text when I was talking to Sean.
There’s a text from my sister asking me to call her and another from Steph asking when I want to schedule our meeting this week to go over what we need to.
I ignore Steph’s message and pull up Ari’s contact.
“Hey, thanks for calling me back.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I hear her cover the phone and murmur something to someone.
Gross. She’s probably in bed with her husband, doing who knows what.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“You’ve been on the phone with me for a total of three seconds. Why would you possibly think anything is wrong?”
“Because I know you, Bast. Now what’s going on?”
“Work bullshit. Don’t worry about it. Tell me why you’re calling.” I don’t like being short with my sister, but I can’t help it. I just want to get this phone call over with and get back to the condo so I can bury myself in Hattie.
“Okay… well, I was talking to Dad and Eleanor earlier, and I think something is up. I asked about his last doctor’s appointment and how it was going with his medication and stuff, and they seemed cagey.”
Hmm. That does seem odd.
“I haven’t talked to Dad in a couple of weeks, so I don’t know anything. Sorry.”
“Would you be able to fly down there and check on him? I’d do it except the kids are back to school soon and I have a lot to do to prepare.”
I blow out a breath. My dad and his wife live in Northern California, so it is much faster and easier for me to get there. Maybe a couple of days away from Hattie would do me some good. Help me clear my head and get me out from under Hattie’s thrall.
“Sure. I’ll head there tomorrow, stay the night, and see what’s up.”
“Thank you, Bast. I really appreciate it. Let me know what you find.”
“You owe me though, Ari.”
