Page 114 of Twisted Knight

I release the breath I was holding, my assumption confirmed. “You don’t like him and yet you’re still buying the company and letting him be CEO.”

“I believe I said that management were the only ones in jeopardy. That means everyone. You. Chad. Rhett. The others. So Rhett’s status remains to be seen.”

“Okay.” I move to the window to look out to the warehouses across the street. To my family’s legacy. To the dream I still hold. I make the next statement not 100 percent sure what I’m agreeing to, but knowing I trust the man standing in front of me way more than the man a few offices down who I share a last name with. Both options are harrowing, but he’s the only one of the two here who it seems hasn’t tried to sabotage me. “Fine. Yes. I’ll work with you.”

Guilt hits me instantly. I’m aligning myself with the enemy—going against my family. But I shove down the feelings to process at another time.

Everyone in my family seems to be looking out for themselves. Isn’t it time I do the same?

Then again, maybe this is why I haven’t before—I have a conscience, when clearly they don’t.

If I expected Holden to gloat, I’m more than happy that he doesn’t. He’s silent and when I turn to look at him, his eyes lock on mine and he gives a stoic nod, almost as if he respects how difficult this decision was for me.

“This has nothing to do with … what happened between us.” With what’s happening between us. The words and thoughts are hard to get out. I don’t like blurred lines. I like clear-cut ones. Ones with definition and set consequences.

“I never assumed it did, Rowan.”

“Your marketing campaign. The new idea? That’s something I’ve been trying to get Rhett to agree to for the past year. It’s a good idea. A necessary shift.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“I’ll start on that, and I’ll bring you the suppliers you want,” I say, almost feeling like I have to prove to him that I am ready to run this place. That I’m so much more than the marketing department. “Three for each product. We’ll diversify so that we have a leg to stand on when it comes to bargaining.”

He lifts his eyebrows and murmurs, “Okay.”

“It’s the best business decision, and if no one else is going to step up to the plate to do it, I will. I don’t have ties that I’ll sever by looking outside the country club members,” I ramble, suddenly nervous.

“Why?”

“To prove to you I can.”

“I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t think you could. But why now? Because of what Rhett did? Because…?”

“Because of you.” The words aren’t easy for me to say, but they’re true. His actions with my employees, his suggestions as far as our suppliers, the way he sees through Rhett’s bullshit, dare I say, I’ve come to trust him? “I’ve put my faith in my family for so long and I net nothing in return. It’s time for me to change the dress.”

He gives the subtlest of nods. His lack of reaction is frustrating at best, but then again, what is he supposed to say?

“This—me agreeing to work with you instead of against you—”

His tsk cuts me off. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Sunshine. You may be working with me, but I know you’re going to fight this right up until the ink dries.”

“So?” I raise my eyebrows in challenge.

“I’d expect nothing less.”

“Good. Now let’s talk about what I get in return.”

A slow smile crawls across his lips. “You act like you’re in a position to negotiate.”

“I am.”

“Oh really?” He leans his ass against the back credenza of his desk, crosses his arms over his chest, and studies me with an intensity that has both my adrenaline and pulse racing.

“There’s always room for negotiations.”

“And what is it that we’re negotiating, because I have plenty of ideas that come to mind.” His eyes scrape over the curves of my body before coming back to mine.

“A board seat.”