Chapter Twenty-Nine
“You’re fired.”
I blink at the man on the screen in front of me.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I said you’re fired, Sydney. Effective immediately. You violated your contract; there’s nothing I can do.”
“Mathias, I—”
“Happy holidays.”
The screen goes black, and I just stare at myself in the reflection.
What the hell?
I attempt to call him back, but he just declines it.
Who fires someone like that? That can’t be legal. In fact, I am sure it isn’t.
Not only that, but I’d worked for the man for five years.
Five. Years.
And that’s how he fires me?
Seriously?
Happy holidays, my butt.
Anger bubbles in my blood as I pull up my email and begin typing an extremely passive-aggressive message.
“Everything okay, love?” Parker pads into the bedroom, buttoning up his navy blue shirt.
“Mathias just freaking fired me,” I seethe. I try to keep myself from screeching the words. The last thing I need is for the entire Covington clan to hear this.
Parker, Phoebe, my father, and I had flown to London on the private jet a few days ago. We spent some time exploring the city.
I’ve never been to the UK before, and Parker hadn’t minded indulging my every whim as I’d giddily dragged us to every tourist attraction.
Of course, in true Parker fashion, he had to take it to the next level, even booking us a private helicopter ride and exclusive museum tours. We’d stayed at the Covington townhouse in Kensington, spending the early mornings strolling the leafy walking paths of Holland Park. We made the drive up to Buckinghamshire, where their other residence is, yesterday for the holidays.
I’d had expectations of what the Covington mansion would look like.
I’d been totally wrong.
It is an entire estate, acres and acres of land sprawled out, with a central mansion that can house a hundred people, without fail.
It looks like something out of a historical romance novel. Every room is beautifully detailed in the English Baroque style, giving it a regal palace feel. There is even a sprawling garden that I know would take me days to fully explore.
The images I’d concocted in my mind hadn’t held a candle to what the place truly looks like. If this is how beautiful it looks in the winter, I can’t wait to see it in the summer when all the trees and flowers are in bloom.
“He said I broke my contract, but I have no idea how he even found out we were dating.” I continue typing my email.
I had known this would come to a head eventually, but I hadn’t been prepared for it to happen now. I’m not ready. Sure, I have a little nest egg tucked away, but… I’ve been trying to find a loophole that would let me keep working with the guys. I had been planning to talk with Paige about it, see if maybe I could get around it by just being Aleks and Jackson’s publicist.
“Oh, I told him we were dating.”
My hands freeze on the keys, and I jerk my head up at Parker.
“What?”
“Well, Mathias had to fire you.”
My brain short-circuits, thinking it has heard him wrong.
“It was the only way to get you a new contract.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I blink as confusion wars with anger.
“Yeah, unfortunately, the one you signed with Mathias was pretty ironclad.” Parker cocks his head in the full-length mirror, fixing a stray piece of hair. “Paige couldn’t find a loophole even after pouring over it for hours. However, she still came up with a solution. A pretty good one, honestly.”
“Which was getting me fired? Seriously.”
“No. Well, technically, yes.”
“Parker.” I sigh at the lack of clear communication.
“Instead of having you work for us through Mathias’ firm, we’re hiring you directly. Congratulations, your unemployment lasted three minutes and eleven seconds.” He turns and grins at me.
“So, you fired me…just to hire me.” I say the words slowly, testing them on my tongue. “I lost my job, but I didn’t lose my job.”
“Correct. Paige said she’d get you a new contract by end of day.” Parker pulls a designer tie from a drawer in his ridiculously large walk-in closet before winking at me. “You’re looking at your new boss, baby.”
I roll my eyes and watch as he loops it around his neck with deft fingers, using the time to wrap my head around his words. Technically, Parker had always been my boss, it was just that Mathias was also my boss on top of the boys. Ugh. It is too much to think about.
“Mathias still didn’t have to be that rude about it.” I attempt to hold onto some of my anger, but it fizzles out to ambivalent annoyance. “And you could have warned me.”
“In fairness, I didn’t think he’d call you today.” He shrugs, checking himself in the mirror. “Not exactly in the Christmas spirit.”
God. He looks amazing.
And he knows it.
“Come on, love. Dinner is about to be served.” Parker kneels before me and holds out my silver heels. I sigh, shutting my laptop and slipping my feet into the expensive shoes. Parker buckles them around my ankles before running his hand up my calf, sending shivers along my skin.
“Parker,” I warn him.
“What?” he says innocently, but there’s no hiding his devilish smirk.
He continues to trace the tips of his fingers across the back of my leg, and I stand up shakily, forcing myself not to melt into his touch. I fall prey to Parker’s whims more and more every day. It is becoming a chore to keep myself from falling completely off the deep end. One of us has to remain somewhat sensible.
I grab my perfume and spritz my wrist before I touch up my makeup in the mirror. I fix my bangs before triple checking that the elaborate bun I’d spent an hour on this morning is still in place. One of the pins is poking me at an odd angle, but I’m not going to risk moving it.
Parker wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. The color of his shirt matches my dress, making us look like the perfect pair.
I won’t admit it to him, but my wardrobe is slowly turning more and more blue.
“You are proper stunning. Like a freshly polished gem glinting in the sun.”
I tilt my head against his. “Thank you.”
“What? No compliment for me?”
I chuckle as he pulls back and holds his elbow out for me. I press my fingers daintily into the crook and smile. “I think you’re well aware that you are one of the most attractive men in existence. I don’t want to inflate your ego any more than it already is.”
“One of?” He gives me a fake look of pain. “I am the most attractive man.”
I shrug. “We’ll see if you win hottest streamer of the year or not.”
He gapes at me. “Cold, Sydney.”
The mansion is abuzz with people moving about and getting ready as Parker and I weave our way through the many hallways. The Covingtons’ Christmas Eve dinner is an intimate affair, but they host an extravagant annual party on Boxing Day, where they raise money for charity as part of the holiday. Hence the staff working around the clock.
We enter the formal dining room, which has a gilded, domed ceiling that features a stunning teardrop crystal chandelier hanging from the center. Grandiose deep green curtains frame the windows, and a decidedly expensive piece of art hangs above a fireplace.
I make a note to take a picture of the art and send it to Stevie; I have no doubt she would flip over it. I’d already sent her images of the ceiling in one of the reception rooms that has an angelic Renaissance scene painted on it. I’d stared up at it for so long, my neck hurt.
Heads swivel from the elegantly set table at our arrival.
“Oh, don’t you look beautiful.” Pricilla stands from her seat to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you. I love your dress.”
Pricilla runs a hand down her maroon dress with a soft smile. She never has a hair out of place and always looks like she is ready for high tea.
Parker pulls out my seat for me to sit before taking his next to me. My father grins at me from across the table before returning to his conversation with Parker’s dad.
Philip Covington enters the room with a stern look, immediately setting me on edge.
Parker’s grandfather had been quite jovial yesterday when we arrived even though the board vote had come in only hours earlier, removing Parker from his position as heir. The two seem to be getting along fine. It also helps that his nana dotes on him with clear favor.
Parker’s maternal grandparents wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow; they split the holidays between Pricilla and her sister.
Philip pulls a seat out for his wife before taking his place at the head of the table. Parker’s parents shoot each other a silent look, confirming that the displeasure radiating off his grandfather isn’t something I am merely imagining.
The only person missing is Paige, who strolls in a few minutes later in a satin green dress, her long blonde hair flowing in perfect waves. She gives Parker a wink before slipping her purse around her chair and sliding in next to Phoebe, who eyes her younger siblings through slightly narrowed eyes.
Two staff members slip into the room, one pouring a glass of champagne for each person while the other places fresh bread and butter at intervals along the table.
Parker slips his hand over my flute before reminding the woman of my preferences. She apologizes before dipping out of the room and returning with a non-alcoholic alternative. I bite my lip, feeling a little bad.
The rest of the meal proceeds without a hitch, conversation flowing as we stuff ourselves with decadent food.
Although, every once in a while, I catch Parker’s grandfather eyeing him with a puzzled look, like he can’t quite figure something out. When it comes time for dessert, my eyes widen at the limitless number of puddings that are deposited onto the table. Phoebe hums as she digs into her Christmas pudding, and my dad doesn’t hesitate before going back for seconds of the figgy pudding.
“Here, Sydney, you have to have one of the mince pies.” Pricilla uses a set of tongs to lift a crumbly pastry onto my plate.
“Oh, no, I can’t have meat.” I hold my hands out to stop her, but she just bypasses them.
A series of chuckles sound across the table, and I frown at Parker in confusion.
“There’s no meat in it,” he explains.
“Oh.”
I watch as Parker grabs one for himself and cuts it in half. A fruity filling trickles out. He cuts it again and holds it out on a fork to me.
“We also had them make the pastry vegan for you.”
“I can feed myself.” I flush, trying to take the fork from him.
“Don’t be embarrassed, darling.” Pricilla pats my forearm before taking another sip of champagne.
This family is too affectionate.
I give Parker a stern look before pointedly cutting into my own little pie and taking a bite. Flavors burst along my tongue. The tartness of the dried fruits mixes with the sweetness of the sugary filling, all brought together with the flaky pastry.
Damn, it is good.
I immediately cut another bite, enjoying myself in the moment.
“I think she likes it,” Pricilla whispers to Parker.
“I agree,” he whispers back.
I give him a side kick under the table with my heel, and he laughs.
The staff clears our plates when we finish, and Parker’s grandfather stands up almost instantly, inclining his head to Parker.
“Can I have a word with you?”
A quite hush falls over the table.
“Oh, Philip, do you need to do this now?” his wife laments, patting him on the hand.
“It’s important.”
“We’re all family; can’t you chat with me here?” Parker leans farther back in his chair.
My senses go on alert, recognizing the telltale signs. Parker’s up to something.
Philip’s eyes narrow, assessing his grandson. I think he might put up a fight, but he sits back down.
“I had our lawyer begin the paperwork to transfer your shares yesterday,” he starts.
“Working quickly, I see.” Parker grabs his cup of tea and takes a sip.
Yeah, he’s definitely up to something.
My eyes dart around the table, reading the family’s concerned looks. Except Phoebe, whose suspicious blue gaze is sternly fixed on Parker, and Paige, who is trying to hide a small smile behind her wine glass.
“Yes, but they ran into an issue.”
When Parker doesn’t say anything, his grandfather’s gaze narrows even further, the wrinkles around his face becoming more prominent.
“They couldn’t find them.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate, now, isn’t it?” Parker hums.
“Oh, Parker,” Patrick Covington sighs at his son. “What did you do?”
“My shares were an heir’s share, so I gave them to the heir.” He shrugs.
There is a soft snick, and we all turn our attention to Paige, who opens her purse and pulls out an envelope. She holds the creamy white paper out to her older sister.
Shock ripples over Phoebe’s normally calculating features.
“The fuck is this?” she breathes.
“Phoebe Anne,” Pricilla chastises. “Language, please.”
Phoebe snatches the envelope and rips it open. She shuffles through the pieces of paper, her eyes widening.
“You gave me your shares?” She blinks at her younger brother, disbelief in her tone.
“Merry Christmas, sis.” Parker lifts his teacup in a salute.
“Parker James Covington, you did not have approval to do this,” his grandfather’s voice cuts through the room.
“I didn’t need approval; everything was legal. Right, Paigey?”
“Right, Sparky.” His coconspirator smiles. She pulls another envelope from her purse and holds it out to me this time. “Your new contract, by the way.”
I blink, taking it from her.
All this time, I had thought Paige was the angel of the Covington siblings, but she is just as cunning as the other two, behind that elegant exterior.
“Why?” his grandfather asks, steepling his hands beneath his chin.
“Well, why should my shares be redistributed to the board? Why should they get more power over our company? That’s bullshit.”
“Language,” Pricilla sings again.
“I simply gave my shares to the person they belonged to, the next CEO of Covington Hotels.” Warmth shines in Parker’s eyes as he grins at Phoebe. “We all know it should be her, and this way the board can never dispute it.”
“Thank you.” A soft smile spills onto Phoebe’s face.
Philip sighs, leaning back in his chair. “I do wish you’d asked me first.”
“So you could have stopped me?”
“No, so I could have told you this was already my plan.”
The whole table looks at him in puzzlement.
I take a sip of my tea, watching them all. My gaze lands on my dad, and he raises his brows at me. I stifle a smile. It’s like the two of us are watching a family drama in real time. I swear the Covingtons have forgotten we’re even here.
“What do you mean, Dad?” Patrick cuts in.
“It wasn’t my immediate plan. I was going to put the shares in your name, son, for the next few months as we transitioned Phoebe into the CFO role. Then, I would have transferred her the shares when the time came. Now, I’m going to have to deal with the board sooner than I wanted.”
“I’m not going to say sorry,” Parker grumbles.
Paige lets out a laugh, and her sister follows closely behind. Soon the entire table is giggling and laughing at the entire situation.
“It’s all right, babe. It’s the thought that counts.” I squeeze Parker’s forearm.
“Sure.” He moves to grip my hands in his, letting out a huff.
I join in with the laughter, and Parker caves, smiling.
There would never be a dull moment around him.