Page 10 of Bitter Heat

“Your father was no saint,” he said.

“I know that.”

“He publicly disowned and humiliated you.”

“My broken engagement ruined his partnership with Parker Baldwin. He lost millions.”

“Don’t make excuses for him.”

“I’m used to business coming first.” She gave him a pointed look. “I’d think you out of all people would understand that.”

They stared at one another, their past pulsing in the air between them.

“My dad changed,” she said quietly.

“I doubt that.”

“He did, but it doesn’t matter now. He’s gone.”

“It’s only just begun,” he countered. “We’ll see how Colette and Ariana handle Hennessy & Co without his guidance.”

She lifted her chin. “My sisters have been handling the company for years. They’ll be fine.”

“He didn’t leave a portion of Hennessy & Co to you?”

She frowned. “Why would he? I haven’t been involved in the company since I was twenty-three.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t know anything.”

She raised a brow. “Aren’t you the one who told me I was no good at business?”

“You had the right mind, not the right heart.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

He pointed at her. “Right there.”

“What?”

“Too much emotion.”

She was surprised the wooden spoon didn’t crack under the pressure she exerted. “You’re not so staid yourself.”

“It depends on the topic.”

“Right.” Business and sex were the only things that made him show his true emotions. Everything else didn’t blip on his radar.

He propped his hip against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “You follow the rules and don’t have the heart to take from others. Your sisters do.”

The fact he admired her sisters sent a pang of resentment through her. If Roth had come from the right family, he would have been welcomed with open arms by her father. Instead, her father had destroyed Roth’s businesses and made their lives a living hell to break them up.

“What did he leave you?” he asked.

She copied his nonchalant stance with her arms crossed over her chest. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

His eyes darkened. “Yes, I would.”

“You’re obsessed with his trust.”

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