Page 16 of Twisted Knight

My spine stiffens immediately. Those are fighting words between us, and he knows it.

“Board member stuff,” as in a board I don’t have a seat at because I’m not him. A man. My last name and the fact that my family founded the company hold no bearing here.

More than aware of how triggering those words are to me, Chad offers me a smile that is a mix of placating and patronizing as he rises from his chair and moves around the table toward me. “It’s nothing major, Row. Just a few votes over mundane stuff and a little brainstorming afterwards.” I want to believe him—he’s never done anything to make me do otherwise. And yet unease tickles its way up my spine. “You know how Rhett and I like to throw ideas against a wall and see what sticks.”

“Alone. Over a beer. Not here. Not like this with the company lawyers and the board present.” I try to keep the panic from my voice.

“Isn’t this what you’ve been asking for? To shake things up a bit. To make some changes. Something to help increase our cash flow—”

“Interesting way to phrase ‘a buyout,’” a voice at my back says. A voice that has me freezing in place. “Now, where were we, gentlemen?” Holden Knight asks as he rounds the conference room table, rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt as he goes, with a nonchalant glance my way. His presence is a complete shock to my system. His words even more so. “And Rowan.”

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” I choke over the words.

Buyout?

Bitterness coats my tongue and my body flushes with a heat that makes it hard to draw in a breath.

I take in his dark hair, tanned skin, broad shoulders, and vibrant blue eyes that hold mine as he lifts one eyebrow. “Is there a problem, Miss Rothschild?”

I’m reeling. From seeing him here. From the words he just uttered that I’m still trying to process. From the guilty grimace on Chad’s face and the measured look on Rhett’s that tell me what I just heard is true.

The smile I offer in return is anything but warm. “Yes, Mr. Knight. A very big one.” I plant my hands on the table. Anything to steady my arms, which are shaking violently with the fury coursing through my body. “I would love to know why you’re standing in my boardroom.”

“Your boardroom? Cute.” He lifts a brow, grinning smugly, before turning to Rhett and completely dismissing me. “Let’s continue where we left off, shall we?”

“I was talking,” I say.

“And now I am,” Holden asserts.

He thinks he’s going to dismiss me? I glance around the room at people who are supposed to have my back. They all think I’m going to stand here and let this—whatever this is—go on? Fire burns up my spine. “Excuse me, but—”

“As I was saying…” Holden lifts a hand to quiet me, and it only serves to infuriate me more.

“Look. I’m trying to remain professional,” I say, struggling to keep my voice even. “But I’m on the cusp of losing my shit if one of you doesn’t tell me what the fuck is going on here.”

His chuckle fills the room, doing nothing to ease the atmosphere that’s already rife with tension. His eyes meet mine and amusement glints in them. “From where I stand, I’d say you’re successful at the first. Not so much at the second.”

I glare at him, his words repeated from the balcony that night. His response to my familial duties to “look pretty and keep my mouth shut.”

His smile taunts me.

My blood runs hot.

Then cold.

My heart tumbles in my chest as our conversation on the balcony replays through my mind. How he pushed me away. How he was indifferent. How he was a prick … right up until I introduced myself.

The coughed choke when he heard my name.

His sudden decision to stay. To talk. To answer my questions with questions.

Dread filters through me.

I did this.

I gave him the info he needed. I led him right to the weak spots so he knew where to hit the hardest—or make the deal sweeter.

Obscenities scream in my head and die on my tongue as he holds my disbelieving stare.