His Rules

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

S ebastian

“Are you hanging in?” Steven asked. He’d been the only call I’d accepted all morning long.

“Yeah, I’ll live.”

“The press already attempted to call Dad. When he couldn’t get you on the phone, of course he called me.”

“I hope like hell he didn’t say a damn thing.”

“I think he told them to fuck off and die, but otherwise no.” Steven was chuckling while I was gritting my teeth. “He did mention he managed to snag another thousand shares.”

“How?”

“You know Pops,” Steven said. “He’s a sly old guy. Obviously, he used a different identity.”

That was our father. He’d never taken shit from anyone, including the press.

“You’re really planning on taking back the company?”

“If I have my way, we’re going to merge World Hospitality with Aeronautical Enterprises.”

“A lofty goal.”

“Not necessarily. Still, this has gotten way out of hand.”

“Yeah, I know. Look, I’ve been doing a little snooping.”

“Meaning?” I sat back in my chair, closing my eyes. I’d been shocked Drake hadn’t tumbled into my office to gloat, claiming winning volley number two. He knew he’d put a serious cog into the situation. The next twenty-four hours would be brutal.

“I’m going to send you some information to your private email. I think you can figure out what I’m seeing, but I want your opinion without me telling you what I think is going on.”

“O-kay. That sounds ominous.”

“Just keeping it real, brother. This is no game we’re playing.” I rubbed my eyes. The ache behind them was getting worse.

“No, it isn’t.”

“How’s Kacey holding up?”

Sighing, I swiveled my chair and immediately looking out the window. The peaceful view wasn’t doing a damn thing for me today. “It’s possible she quit. It’s more than likely I’ll never see her again other than when and if she retrieves the single personal item she placed on her desk.”

“Ouch. What happened?”

“I’m what happened. She took something I shouted to Daniel the wrong way.” By the time I’d gotten to the parking lot, she’d already left. I’d almost gotten into a damn fistfight with one of the reporters when he’d stuck a microphone in my face.

“And she quit? I don’t know her, but from what little you told me, that doesn’t seem like something she’d do.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t see her face. She was so angry with me. And hurt. She was hurt.”

“Then make it up to her.”

“I don’t know how and I’m not sure I have the time.”

Steven huffed. “Bullshit. You own the goddamn company. You can do anything you want. Do you care about this girl?”

“Yes.” The single word was easy for me to say. As soon as I did, my heart started beating rapidly.

“More than you care about your goddamn Maserati?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. There is no comparison. None. She’s perfect in every way. Sweet, vulnerable, but with some serious vixen vibes.”

“My God. You really do like her. I haven’t heard you talk this way in years. Even with Ashley.”

“Don’t mention that bitch’s name to me. She’s trying to take advantage of the situation. She thinks I need to pay her millions with the stock dropping.”

“That’s Ashley. Always the gold digger. I never liked her. I don’t think you really did either. You just tried to convince yourself you were in love. With Kacey, if you care at all, don’t allow her to continue believing what she thinks she heard. Go after her. Take the time. The one thing you never understood about me was that business was never going to be first in my world. I’m not that kind of man. Neither are you, but you refuse to look yourself in the mirror. When you do, you’ll see I’m right.”

“What makes you think you’re so good on relationship advice?” Steven had a way of digging through the muck and always had.

“I’m not. I admit it, but I do see the truth when it’s right in front of my face. Like coming to work with you. This time last year? Not a chance. But now, I know it’s time to grow up.”

He could also make me smile. “So say you.”

“Think about what I said and after you’ve had a chance to look over the info I’m sending you, we’ll talk. I have some ideas of my own.”

“I bet you do. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I held the phone in my hand, staring at the screen as if willing her to return my call. I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I doubted she would talk to me any time soon if ever.

But I tried anyway.

Damn it. She wasn’t answering her phone.

Where the hell had Kacey gone? While she’d acted determined to be alone, I knew that was the last thing she needed. Plus, I didn’t trust what Drake might do with the information. I grabbed my keys and phone. While I had doubts that she’d return home to her father’s house, I would at least drive by and see if her rental car was there.

Not that seeing it or not seeing it would have a profound effect. I needed to be with her. Touch her.

Goddamn it, I wanted to sit and eat pasta with her, for fuck’s sake.

Laughing, I strode through the office, ignoring the forlorn faces of everyone in the office. They were highly intelligent individuals who knew their jobs could be on the line. Not if I had anything to say about it.

I stopped by the conference room on my way out, glancing into the now crowded space. There were boxes of records everywhere, a freaking army working on the audit.

“Yes, sir?” The auditor was one I’d seen before. He was smart, efficient, and knew how to keep his mouth shut.

“Mark. When and if you find any discrepancies, for my eyes only. Got it?”

He knew better than to ask any questions. “Understood. We’re about halfway through. With Kacey’s assistance and direction, we’re ahead of schedule.”

“Then don’t let me keep you.” Excellent. Things were coming to a head.

I backed off, hoping the gamble would pay itself off. If not, I might find myself in prison.

The press had been kept in the lobby just waiting for anyone of importance to emerge from the elevator. As soon as I stepped onto the marble floor, at least four of the bastards came running in my direction.

“Mr. Winfield, is there any truth you’re seeing your secretary?”

“Mr. Winfield, please. Just a few moments.”

“Mr. Winfield, what does your wife think about your affair?”

For the most part, the questions were nothing but an annoyance, but as soon as my former marriage was brought to the table, I bristled. Lashing out wouldn’t be a good idea so somehow, I managed to continue walking. I was almost to the set of doors when another question popped in.

“Mr. Winfield. Is there any truth to the rumors you’ve been embezzling from your own company?”

I stopped short, taking a deep breath to keep from saying anything that not only would I regret, but would land in the news.

As I turned around, I was able to keep a smile on my face as I pinned my eyes on the man asking the question. He was young and hungry, merely hoping to make a name for himself. I walked closer and I’ll be damned if the other reporters didn’t slink back. My difficult to deal with reputation had served me well up to this point.

“You are?” I asked as politely as possible.

He seemed befuddled and pissed I didn’t attack him right away. “Um, Jason Shell.”

“Well, Mr. Shell. Should any improprieties be discovered by the auditing team I hired, I’m certain the person responsible will be handled accordingly to the full extent of the law. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a meeting.”

The questions kept coming, but I ignored them, walking out into the sunshine. Yet the fire of anger burned deep and would remain so until the situation was rectified.

As I headed for my car, I tried to imagine where Kacey would have gone. She’d been with a friend the one night I’d seen her at the bar. Had she introduced us? That’s right. Stephanie Wise. Not an uncommon name, but I’d find her. I had my resources just like my father.

I was almost to my car when I spotted Drake walking in my direction. His vehicle was parked only a few down from mine. We met in the middle.

“I heard about your exciting night,” he said. We were both wearing smirks on our faces.

“Yes, well, I am allowed to have a private life.”

“That’s true. However, you had to choose your financial analyst. Dating employees is against the rules.”

Of all the things he wanted to toss at me, he chose that one? I laughed. “Since I own the company, I can do what I damn well please.”

He held up his index finger. “Half the company, something you continue to forget.”

“Oh, I don’t forget anything, nor do I allow any detail to go unnoticed.”

“That sounds suspiciously like a threat.”

“I don’t need to threaten anyone, Drake. You know that. I make observations and I have a long memory. If something needs to be handled, I will take care of it. It’s that simple.”

“Nothing is that simple.”

I smiled while seething inside. “You might be surprised, Drake. Often the most intolerable situations bring a new source of light to the surface, illuminating the true problem. That makes it much easier to handle.” I started to step away, finished with toying with him.

“Did your little whore tell you that?”

Yes, he was trying to goad me and it always worked. I fisted my hand, but realized quickly we were being filmed. Of course we were. Even this interaction would be on the six o’clock news with some blasphemous caption.

“That little whore just might save our asses.”

“Is that true?”

“Or she’ll wipe the floor with you.”

“Just like I told you before. Be careful who you trust, Sebastian. Snakes hide in the darkest places.”

At least I could laugh. “Very true. One word of advice. If you’re going to lower yourself to doling out insults, do it with someone who deserves it. Kacey Taylor is way out of your league.”

I offered a huge smile to the cameraman before heading to my car. I could feel the hot smoke pouring from his nostrils.

The bull in the china shop would soon be put out to pasture.

Kacey

“He’s just sitting by himself eating lunch,” I spit out as I pulled the small binoculars away from my eyes.

“How dare he even consider doing that,” Stephanie said.

I smacked her arm. We’d followed Drake from the office in my bestie’s car, following not too closely behind. We were sitting across the street from a lovely bistro. In wigs and the craziest outfits; I’d never felt so ridiculous in my life.

At least there was no way anyone would recognize me. Not in the getup of her wild clothes. At least I prayed they didn’t. If the press caught me dressed like this, I knew what the headlines would be.

“Answer me this,” I said, slapping her arm again.

“If you punch me one more time, I’ll punch you back.”

She wasn’t laughing.

“I’m just nervous. Why would he travel fifteen miles to come here? There were dozens of cute diners and restaurants between here and their office.”

“Maybe he wanted to get away from the press. You know he’s being hounded as well.”

“Good point, but he’s been sitting there for over two hours.”

“Maybe he’s avoiding running into Sebastian. Speaking of which. Have you talked with him?”

I cringed just a little more inside. I’d found it so hard to keep my mind off him, but I couldn’t erase what had been said. Not now. Not ever. “No, he tried to call a couple of times.”

“You do realize with romance novels, readers loathe it when the plot is stupid enough they had to point out if the two main characters had just communicated, maybe they wouldn’t have that third act breakup?”

“The last I checked, I’m not living in a romance novel. I am real.”

“Yeah, really stupid. What you two shared was hot romance. Don’t you try and tell me otherwise, missy.”

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my phone from the seat, slinging my purse over my shoulder. “Until he fucked it up.” I started to open the car door.

“You don’t know that. Where are you going?”

“I’m going inside. He’s not going to recognize me with this wig on. Maybe I can pick up on something.”

“Yeah, and maybe you’ll get caught.”

“So what?”

“Elizabeth Kacey Taylor. Do not go in there.”

I stuck my head back inside. “Don’t call me that. That’s what my dad calls me.”

“You need to call him too.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’ll be back.” I moved around the back of her car, looking both ways. My God. I was wearing hot pink tights and a long purple sweater dress with boots that were killing my feet. The black wig did nothing for my complexion either, but at least the outfit gave me a totally different vibe.

I tried to calm down as I walked inside, thankful there was a takeout counter, so I didn’t look as if I was loitering for a reason.

“Regular coffee with cream.” I handed over the money, waiting as the guy brought my change.

As the girl moved toward the huge coffee machine, I turned around casually as if studying the eclectic interior of the building.

I saw him immediately. He’d moved from the table at the front window to one close to a long hallway. Fortunately, there was a pastry counter close. I slid down that way, trying not to stare at the man. Whoever he was speaking to was pissing him off.

“I’m telling you that we need to move forward quickly.”

I couldn’t help myself, turning my head slightly so I could catch a glimpse of his face.

‘Why the fuck didn’t you show up? I’ve been sitting here wasting my time.” He laughed, but I could tell he was angry. “I don’t give a shit about your needs right now. You wanted me involved, but you’re not holding up your end of the bargain.”

Bingo. I knew what that was about.

“Yes, I know we had a plan, but things need to change.” He shook his head. “Fine. I’ll swing by in the morning and we’ll talk about it then. The board meeting is tomorrow and I want all my ducks in a row.” He ended the call and smashed his fist into the table.

“Miss. Your coffee.”

Hearing the guy’s voice made me jump. “Thank you.” I didn’t bother looking in Drake’s direction again, taking the coffee and heading toward the door. I only prayed he didn’t recognize my voice.

I tried not to race across the street and almost dropped my coffee as I was forced to rush between oncoming vehicles.

“You didn’t get me one?” Stephanie snorted.

“You can have this one.”

“What happened?”

“Whoever Drake is working with, he’s meeting tomorrow morning. Now we’ll need to find out where he lives.”

“I already know. He was in the St. Louis Style magazine happily showing off his magnificent house. I’ll swing by on our way back to my house.”

“Excellent.”

“That way we can find the easiest window or door to break in.” Before I had a chance to smack her, she laughed. “I’m kidding. You need to be very careful. He’s a player.”

“Yeah? Well, guess what? So am I.”