Chapter 43
Garrett
Standing in the office of the Hutton Hotel, wrapped in a blanket while water drips into my shoes, I glare at Jordan. My nemesis. The man I used to admire. When I changed into these clothes, I told myself I was dressing for war.
Well, here we are.
The trumpets are blowing and the drums are rumbling and every nerve in my body is ready. Eager.
I haven’t hit the asshole yet, which is a testament to how far I’ve come. A month ago, the man would have been bleeding five seconds after I walked through the door.
Jordan’s gaze cuts my way when he announces I’m no longer working the account. Snide. Proud. Happy to watch me fall.
My fists tighten and my jaw clenches. There’s a limit to my patience. He hasn’t found it yet, but he’s trying.
“We have a bit of a problem then, don’t we?” Angela turns to her father, oh so innocent as she lifts her palms. She’s drenched, and the cut above her eye is starting to swell, and my instinct is to wrap her up and protect her, but she’s made it clear she’s no damsel in distress.
“A problem?” Jordan tilts his head. “What kind of problem?”
“The Hutton Hotel will only do business with Mr. Cooper. If he’s not managing the deal, we’re out.”
Jordan’s lips tighten and Angela holds her father’s gaze.
There’s a whole lot of silent communication going on, the kind that only comes with deep connection and a lifetime of understanding.
I have it with Charlie, with Connor, with Mom and Dad and in this shitty moment, I realize I want to have it with my Angel too.
Shocked, Wyatt steps forward, but she lifts a hand.
Trust me, says the sharpness in her eyes.
“This is…this is unacceptable,” Jordan sputters. He turns to her dad and uncle as if to dismiss her from the conversation. Fucking misogynistic prick. “Backing away from a deal this good over something as trivial as who’s managing the account…it’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not trivial.” Angel squares her shoulders, lifts her chin. So strong. So proud. So confident. She’s a force to be reckoned with as she turns to Lucas. “This man is a cheat and a liar. He’ll do us dirty just like the company before. All those changes he proposed? They’re not good.”
I nod as she rattles off the explanation I gave her while we were in my room. Buried clauses. The hotel as leverage. Too many shares going to Vision Enterprise rather than staying in the family.
“We’re better off losing the hotel than working with him.”
The words send my pulse racing. She devoted her life to The Hut…and just risked it all with one little sentence.
For me.
Jordan huffs. Drops his jaw. Tosses that ludicrous hair.
“I assure you; those changes are necessary. My track record is impeccable, unlike your daughter’s.”
My fists tighten, ready to fix the smug look on his face.
I inhale a full breath as the energy in the room transforms, Lucas and Wyatt pulling themselves to their full height, setting Jordan in their sights.
He doesn’t know it, but he lost ground with that statement.
When you’re surrounded by people like the Huttons, the last thing you do is insult one.
This battle is no longer mine alone.
“Why don’t you explain those changes, then?” Lucas’s voice is too quiet. Too composed. His razor-sharp focus locks onto the outsider in the room. I recognize that stance. It’s taking everything in him not to hit the asshole too.
With a smarmy smile, Jordan rattles off a well-rehearsed speech filled with enough business jargon to choke an elephant. He speaks quickly. Smoothly. But for every promise he makes, Angela has a rebuttal. I want to jump in. To take over. To fight for her. But she’s doing just fine on her own.
My fucking Angel. Who knew she’s been hiding a warrior’s spirit under all that sweetness?
Defending himself doesn’t come naturally for Jordan.
He sputters and chokes before turning to Lucas.
“Look, I hate to be the one to say this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if your daughter and Mr. Cooper’s relationship has evolved beyond professional and it’s clearly skewing her judgment.
He has a pattern, you see, and taking advantage of heiresses is kind of his thing. ”
My fists tighten. If he keeps talking like that, there’s no way I’ll keep my cool.