I scrub a hand over my mouth and stare at Isla frozen in time—smug, superior, and sinfully goddamn calculated. “Get the video taken down.” I slap my laptop shut.
“Eli’s working on it, but it’s already been live for over an hour. Investors are going to start calling any minute.”
In my periphery a figure approaches along the glass wall of my office.
A familiar silhouette—slim build. Long, dark hair. A fearless stride that demands attention under her two-inch heels.
I curse beneath my breath. “Our sister is here.”
Miko stiffens, his chin hitching. “As if this morning couldn’t get any worse.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, not in any state to navigate their tumultuous dynamic, as she pushes through the door, sparing Miko a barely there glance before aiming her ire on me. “What the hell is going on?”
I heave a heavy sigh. “Good morning, Aurelia.”
She’s as polished as ever, perfectly fitted into a soft-rose wrap dress that clings to her waist and drapes over her hips, the satin material catching light with each step toward my desk. “That press conference from CrossPoint was about us, wasn’t it?”
“News travels goddamn fast.” Miko turns away, focusing out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“You didn’t need to come here.” I lean back in my chair, pretending every instinct I have isn’t pushing me to storm CrossPoint’s headquarters and claim Isla’s head on a platter. “You could’ve called.”
“And miss the opportunity to see the King of Deception’s poker face?” She raises a haughty brow. “No, thanks. I deserve to know what’s going on, even though my brothers seem to enjoy keeping things from me. I’m a partner in this company, too.”
“Silentpartner,” I clarify. “By choice, remember?”
She squares her shoulders. “Don’t play with me. Last week I heard rumors CrossPoint was cutting ties. Now they’re making a public statement? What the hell have you done?”
“I’m handling it.” I force a smile as Miko clears his throat in subtle condemnation.
“Not well enough, obviously.” Aurelia crosses her arms over her chest. “Things are changing and I don’t like it. This isn’t the company our father handed down to you.”
She’s right.
It’s not.
We aren’t merely here to make nice while increasing our bank balance anymore.
It’s funny how objectives change when family secrets are exposed.
“If you have an invested interest in the way the company is run, maybe you should come back to the team,” Miko taunts. “There’s an office available right next to mine.”
I shoot him a warning scowl.
Aurelia steels her shoulders. “I do my fair share. And the investors I’ve brought in won’t be happy with us being shunned.”
“We’re capable of finding our own investors,” Miko turns from the window just enough to cut her a glance. “Your harem of cashed-up pretty boys don’t exactly come without complications.”
Her jaw ticks.
It doesn’t take a fucking genius to predict this conversation is about to take a nosedive.
“I appreciate you coming in to check on us, sister,” I state before she can add more fuel to the fire. “But this situation will be rectified. I’m handling it personally.”
Her lips thin, her composure on life support. “Are you sure it’s rectifiable?”
I stare at her, not bothering to reiterate my capabilities.
“Fine.” She sighs, her arms falling back to her sides. “But I want to be kept informed.”
