Page 48 of Threaded Lies

“So, yes, a lawyer has looked at it for all of those still wondering. TinSpirits’ own lawyers implemented it years ago and I had my own lawyers go over it with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything I was doing was within my legal limits. In fact, this deal was closed a few weeks ago, but I was waiting to get their sign-off before I informed all of you.”

“Get on with it, Knight,” Bertrand and his fluffy gray eyebrows mutter from the far end. “You’re wasting our time justifying what you’ve done. If you own the company, then there is no justification required.”

The smile crawls onto Holden’s lips. He just found an ally in a room full of undecideds.

“I still think we should get a say, an approval, of this person,” Rhett says from his place in the middle of the table. Several other people nod in agreement.

“Not necessary. I already vetted and approved her on behalf of all of you,” Holden says as he looks around the room and then back to me.

All eyes staring at their fidgeting fingers on the table swing his way. Curiosity wins out over their unease of coming face-to-face with this outsider who now has voting rights that could switch up the power play and possibly affect their share prices with her vote.

I don’t know why my pulse begins to race, but it does as I look toward the open door and wait for Pencil Skirt to strut in with those gorgeous lips of hers in a smile.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the board, please meet TinSpirits’ new co-CEO, Rowan Rothschild.”

I hear his words but don’t process them. My eyes whip to his, to the look of satisfaction in them, and I don’t know what to do.

Confusion, anger, surprise, and disbelief all reverberate through me, and I don’t know which one I need to hold on to.

“Don’t you need to ask me first?” I ask. And while it might not be the response I mean to give or he expects to receive, he gives a slow nod and his eyes never leave mine.

“I already did. Months ago.”

My brow furrows and I let the confusion reign. “I don’t…”

“Yes, you do. You’re just afraid to believe it.”

I bolt from the conference room. Past the protest no doubt my brother is about to voice, beyond the narrowed brows of Chad as he tries to read into that exchange, and far removed from Holden Knight and this hold he seems to have over me and my emotions.

He can handle the board.

I need to figure out what I believe.

FIFTEEN

Holden

“Yes. Of course.” I shake Goldberg’s hand. He’s a slimy fucker. If my delving into his online search history is any indication, he has a penchant for porn depicting performers who look way younger than they are. Gross on every level but even more when he is nearing eighty. “So bumps and bruises are expected during the process, but I think the co-CEO route will give everyone a better peace of mind on all decisions being made.”

Are we done here? I need to go wash my hands from touching his and then go find Rowan.

Her reaction was most unexpected.

There was no excitement, there was no outward emotion, but rather a steely expression that said she didn’t believe me.

“Knight.”

“Not now, Rhett,” I say over my shoulder. “You can file your complaint with Audrey and I’ll read it when I get the time. You should be happy though. You can now keep closer tabs on your sister—you know, the one you think is the problem in all of this.” I glance to the left down the hallway. Rowan isn’t in her office.

“You’re playing games.”

Rhett doesn’t know when to quit, does he?

I stride into mine and look out the window to where I have a perfect view of the parking lot. Her car is gone. Shit. Then again, the conversation we need to have should be done somewhere more private anyway.

“I don’t play games, Rhett.” I turn to face him, and his shoulders are squared in my doorway like he’s ready for a fight. “Where’s your favorite sidekick? Don’t you need him here to witness what I have to say next, or do you prefer to make the threats you’re trying to figure out how to make without someone watching?”

“I don’t need a witness for anything.” He crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. “You’re slipping and it shows.”