Chapter 15 #2
“Well, I’ve been here for four years. Longer than you. And by the looks of your father walking this way, I don’t think I’m the one who needs to be worried about my job, asshole.”
“What the actual fuck is wrong with you?” Will said through gritted teeth.
“I was having a good time, Dad. I think Bruno appreciated it. If I were a betting man, I’d say he’s going to be requesting to work with me instead of Easton. Chadwick can’t keep up with people of our caliber.”
“Shut up right now, Jamison.” Will turned toward me. “I’m sorry, Easton. I made an excuse to leave the table, and Charles is doing damage control. Go on back and see if you can work your magic. I’ll get our driver to take us home.”
I nodded, and he extended a hand, and I shook it. “We’ll talk soon.”
I turned to leave and glanced over my shoulder to see Will hurrying his son out of the hotel toward their waiting car.
I made my way back to the table, and Henley was chatting with Bruno as if nothing had happened, and Charles shrugged as if he wasn’t sure what to do. I slipped into my seat beside her and glanced at her cheek to see that it was red and swollen.
“Did the waiter bring ice?” I asked close to her ear as Charles insisted Bruno let him cover the bill, and Bruno laughed at the idea.
He owned the hotel.
There would be no bill.
“I’m good. I’ll ice it when I get to the room,” she whispered, before clearing her throat and turning her attention back to our client when he spoke to her.
“I’m guessing that guy won’t be getting a date anytime soon?” he said over loud, boisterous laughter.
I didn’t laugh.
She’d been hit in the face, and I was fucking livid.
“We’re old family friends and coworkers, so there will be no dates in our future.” Henley’s smile was forced, and I didn’t miss the way her father winced when she looked at him.
“We’ll touch base with you tomorrow, once we get started, Bruno.” I made an effort to move the conversation back to work. This dinner had been a complete shitshow, and I was just grateful that Bruno hadn’t left the table and fired us on the spot.
But right now, I didn’t even care.
I wanted to get her out of here.
I wanted to get ice on her face and comfort her.
What the fuck is happening to me?
A few weeks ago, I would have sold my soul to sign this client. And now, he was here, and I couldn’t get out of this place fast enough.
“Sounds good. I’m going to go meet my lady at the bar for a nightcap, but I’ll speak with you all tomorrow.” He pushed to his feet, and we did the same.
I saw a napkin wrapped around something bulky where Jamison had been sitting and lifted the fabric to see the bag of ice she’d hidden beneath the cloth. I took it from the table, tucking it inside my suit coat pocket.
We shook hands with Bruno, and he walked with us toward the bar and waved goodbye. Once we were in the lobby, I turned to Charles.
“What the actual fuck was that?” I hissed, anger radiating from my entire body as I turned to inspect Henley’s face.
“I don’t have a fucking clue.” He turned toward his daughter. “Are you all right? I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“I’m fine. But it was a bad decision to bring him, Dad. He derailed the conversation multiple times and then proceeded to get completely wasted.”
Charles shook his head, placing a hand on his daughter’s chin and turning her face to see the swollen area starting to bruise on her cheek. “It’s inexcusable. I’ll be phoning Will immediately. Jamison hasn’t been coming to work much, and I guess it’s time to sit down and have a hard talk with him.”
“You think? He just made a fool of himself and made the firm look like a joke—and then he punches your daughter in the fucking face?” I ran a hand through my hair and tried to tamp down my anger.
Henley did what I least expected, and she laughed. She laughed hard. “Relax, Chadwick. He didn’t punch me in the face. You’re being dramatic. His elbow collided with my cheek. It was an accident. But yes, he was sloppy, and it’s not a good look.”
She placed a hand on my elbow, in what I guessed was a gesture to calm me down. I didn’t miss the way Charles’s eyes tracked the movement.
Did he track the movement when his rich prick lawyer elbowed his daughter in the face?
“All right. Everyone is upset, and I am, too. Let’s call it a night. I’ll phone Will when I get in the car. Let him know that we need to have a sit-down with his son. You go get ice on your face, and I’ll be in touch in the morning.”
Henley hugged her father, and I clapped him on the shoulder before watching him leave the hotel.
He lived downtown, so his penthouse was only a few blocks away.
I placed my hand on her lower back and guided her toward the elevators.
Once we stepped inside, I pulled the ice from my pocket and placed it on her cheek.
“You stole the ice pack from the restaurant?” She chuckled, her hand moving over mine.
“I believe ice is free and can’t be stolen.”
“Nice argument, counselor.” She smiled.
When the doors opened, we walked down the hall toward our rooms, and I didn’t even hesitate. “I’m coming in with you.”