Page 154 of Twisted Knight

“Just go away, Row. It’s nothing,” Rhett says without turning to face me.

“Doesn’t sound like nothing. In fact, it sounds like a whole hell of a lot of something.”

“Go.” He shoves a finger in the direction of the door. His errant dismissal has me gritting my teeth.

I turn to Chad, whose eyes are wide and body is just as tense as my brother’s. “What the fuck is going on?”

He shifts in his chair. Clearly uncomfortable. “It’s nothing. Just some bad news. Rhett—uh—was trying to make a deal with someone—”

“A deal?” I ask.

“Yes. A fucking deal,” Rhett spits out as he turns to face me. “I was trying to do what Holden asked. Make a deal with someone—some new supplier—and it fucking backfired.”

Chad blanches at Rhett’s explanation and I don’t know what to make of it. Not in the least. He seems way too upset over a deal falling through. Then there’s the fact that Holden is having me do the same thing. Is he pitting us against each other? Is he playing both sides to see who wins and then will take that person and give them what he’s promised—a seat on the board for me or another vote for Rhett?

My stomach churns at the thought. At the worry that I’ve put my trust in Holden when maybe I shouldn’t have.

Jesus. You’re sleeping with the man. Now you think you can’t trust him?

“Is that all?” Rhett demands. “Because you’re standing there looking at me with your jaw on the floor and it’s not a very good look for you.”

“Fuck you, Rhett,” I say with every ounce of disgust that I have. “Fuck you and your mood swings. Whatever this is that you’re pissed about, just remember that you brought it on yourself. All of it. So no one in this office should have to hear your tantrum over one thing gone wrong when you’re throwing all of their lives in an upheaval with this sale. If they acted like you are right now, you’d fire them. So figure your shit out and grow the fuck up.”

I storm out of the conference room and back to my own desk, but I’m too irritated to sit. I pace from one corner to the next, hating the uneasiness churning inside.

When my phones buzzes with a text, I already know who it’s going to be.

Holden: Everything okay?

I stare at the text for the longest time, almost as if staring at it will erase the doubt I feel crawling its way up my spine. Might as well just go for it.

Me: Are you playing me against my brother?

Holden: Explain

Me: Did you make a deal with my brother like you did me?

Holden: No. You have the deal in writing. You said your lawyer has it. That’s it.

Me: Did you promise Rhett anything other than what’s in the documents?

Holden: Why would I do that?

Holden: Rowan? Why are you asking?

Holden: Answer me!

I want to believe him. I stare at the texts, can hear his voice in every single word he types, and I want to believe him.

And is it sad that I do in fact believe him over my own flesh and blood’s answer?

My phone begins ringing in my hand. Not surprised he’s calling, but I push it to voicemail.

Me: Forget I asked. All is good here.

But it isn’t.

Far from it.