Page 61 of Threaded Lies

Within seconds I have the envelope open, and a utility blade slides out on the desk with a clatter.

“What the hell?” they both say as they step closer, and I catch a glimpse of the card inside. The words are written in block letters. A handwriting style I’ve learned to recognize over the past few months.

I KNOW YOU DON’T WANT MY APOLOGIES, SO TAKE THIS INSTEAD. THE NEXT POWER PLAY IS YOURS. DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH IT. IT’S YOURS.

The painting and its preservation or its demise. That’s what this note means.

Holden just gave me a $3 million painting and the razor blade to destroy it if I so choose.

I’m in control here. I have the power and the next move is mine to make.

“Rowan?” Chad asks cautiously as he steps toward me, concern edging his tone. “Why would someone send you that?”

I cover the card with the envelop and place it in the trash beneath my desk just as Chad places his hand on my lower back like the loving fiancé he’s supposed to be. More than aware that Holden is watching our every interaction now, I look over to Chad and offer a reticent smile. “It’s not what it looks like.” I roll my eyes playfully, heeding his worried tone from moments before. “Harris down in production borrowed my utility knife last week for something. I made a joke that no one ever returns what they borrow from me. Apparently, he’s making a point that he does.” The lie is effortless and they buy it because it sounds like something Harris would do.

“That’s welcome news. I was certain it was a threat from our new boss.” Rhett’s joke falls flat as we all look toward the door as if Holden might have heard that down the hallway.

“Did you need me?” I ask Chad in an attempt to change the subject.

“No, I needed Rhett, but I called a couple of times last night. You didn’t answer. Everything okay?” he asks and smooths his hand up and down my back.

“Yeah. Sorry.” I look down at the utility knife. “I was…” Asleep and my phone was on silent. I was busy fucking Holden. I was—

“She was busy,” Holden says, waltzing into my office. My poker face fails—ever so briefly—and I’m not naive enough to think the two don’t catch it.

“Oh?” I’m not sure if Chad or Rhett make the sound because I’m too busy staring at Holden.

“Yep.” A flash of a knowing smile aimed their way before he continues, “We were going over her contract. Negotiating her compensation.” He gives a deliberate shake of his head. “Your sister plays hardball, Rhett. You could take a lesson or two from her. The lady knows how to stand her ground.”

“Hm. Seems she shows a side to you the rest of us don’t get to see,” Rhett murmurs.

“Or maybe I actually pay attention and notice. Either way,” Holden says with a flicker of his fingers, “I need to speak to Rowan. You can see yourself out.”

“You can say whatever you need to say with us present,” Rhett says as Chad stiffens beside me.

Holden notices Chad’s reaction but it’s his eyes going to Chad’s hand on me that causes his jaw to clench. “No thanks,” Holden says.

“Why not? If we’re co-CEOs then everything’s fair game, right? All conversations. All decisions. All negotiations.”

“Hm. Yes.” Holden flashes a shark’s smile and I draw in a deep breath. Seems my brother likes to play with fire. “Except for this.”

“This?” Rhett asks as Chad shifts some to face Holden more.

“Sign her contract. Finalize her compensation package. Lay out the perks she’ll be getting.”

Every part of my brother’s body bristles. “Compensation package? Perks? We didn’t have this discussion.” I can hear the whiny-little-boy voice he had as a kid when he’d complain to my parents about things not being fair.

Holden raises his eyebrows. “We didn’t have to. You’ve already taken way more than your share from the company. I reward those who don’t. Shut the door on the way out.” He clears his throat and then adds for emphasis, “Please.”

It takes a second but they do what they’re told, and when Holden sits down, when that smirk graces that beautifully talented mouth of his, he says, “I see you got my gift.”

“And I see you just waged a big-dick contest.”

His chuckle is devious. “I’ll win, Rowan. I’ll always win. But I’d be more than up for reminding you since it seems you’re having trouble remembering.” He glances over his shoulder to my office’s interior window that looks out toward the hallway. “Those do have blinds on them, don’t they? I can show you now if you’d like.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“And you think I’m bluffing.”