I grabbed him by the arm, throwing a quick look over my shoulder. Still no sign of von Roth, just James, waving frantically in the distance.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Andrea—what areyou—?” Liam looked over his shoulder, his face clouded in alarm.
Why was he looking at me like that?
The clapping stopped. The room fell quiet.
A strong arm pressed around my shoulders, turning me away and back toward the kitchen area.
“Andy.” It was Monish. “Don’t talk, just walk.”
I frowned, but I had no choice—Monish’s arm was like solid steel. A tall blond woman in a suit I didn’t recognize was looking at me like I had two heads.
Monish steered me back toward James and Kelly, their faces bereft. Slowly, the clapping started up again, and I heard Gerald’s voice, like it was echoing through water.
“Welcome, Wilhelm von Roth.”
I looked around for a balding old man in a sharkskin suit but still couldn’t see him. Had he come in via a side entrance?
“Andy, sit down.” Monish pulled out a chair. What was he doing? Gerald wouldnotbe impressed if we weren’t on standby for the new owner’s arrival, especially in light of this debacle with Liam.
James looked at me, his face a grim mask. “It’s him, Andy. It’s fucking him.” Kelly smacked a hand over her eyes.
What? I knew it was Liam. That was the problem. Had security stopped him? And what had happened to our newüberlord, von Roth? I hoped he hadn’t seen any of that. I’d never make it through the restructure. None of us would.
I stared at James. What did he want from me?
They all continued to stare back as if flabbergasted.
“Andrea,” said James. “Did your brain melt in that lift, along with the ice in your knickers? That’s Wilhelm von Roth. Your elevator man. He’s the new owner.”
Chapter 9
Liam
“I know womenthrow themselves at you, but I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Bonnie’s expression was exaggeratedly patient, like she was waiting to take down whatever half-baked explanation I was about to come up with. She crossed her arms in front of her.
“Ah, yes, I need to talk to you about that, actually,” I said.
I did not want to talk to her about that.
“Wilhelm von Roth, wonderful to finally meet you.” Gerald appeared at my shoulder, hovering like a mosquito preparing to land. At least you could swat a mosquito.
He held out a hand. “Fabulous speech, Wilhelm, fabulous. As I said in my address, we’re thrilled to have you on board.”
Gone was the man who sneered at cheddar scones—redemption tour in full swing. I felt for him. People often confused me for my father—and even when they didn’t, they never expected me to be… well… young.
My father. Wilhelm von Roth Sr.
What had Andrea said?Designed in a lab for maximumevil.
She had a point.
As far as names went, Wilhelm von RothJr.somehow managed to sound entitled, spoiled, and evil, all at the same time.
No thanks.
