Page 85 of Counterfeit Connection

Tobias puts his hands up in a moment of defense. “Jesus. I was kidding. What’s gotten into you?”

“I am trying to enjoy just a few days at home without bullshit. Isn’t that okay? I mean, should I have cleared it with you first?”

“Fuck, mate. I thought this was about bowing at Father Shaw’s feet, not lounging about like you’re on holiday.”

“He can kiss my ass. I don’t care anymore.”

“Your brazen attitude tells me one of two things. One, you are going to finally tell the old fart to fuck off, or two, you’re really enjoying this ruse thing you have going and want to milk it for all it’s worth.”

“Milk it? No, that’s not what is happening at all.” I sink to my chair and tap my desk. “Things have changed.”

“Yeah, I can tell. She’s clearly making herself at home. That’s not something I thought I’d ever see here.” He walks across the room and sits on the small, leather sofa by the window. “When you told me you’d fallen for her, part of me didn’t believe you. Griffin Shaw plays as hard as he works, or whatever the rags say… but now? Fuck, mate, are you going to turn Norman Rockwell?”

“Is it not possible I’ve found someone I genuinely connect with and want to see how it goes without everyone thinking I’ve lost my mind?”

“I just never thought I’d see the day, that’s all.”

“What, because my father is an asshole and doesn’t know how to treat a partner, let alone his family, I can’t possibly know how?”

“Calm down, for fuck’s sake. Why are you so touchy about this? There’s nothing that can go wrong now. It’s no longer fake, it’s real. The company will be yours. Done deal.”

“Well,” I slide forward, “it’s going to be mine in any event. While we were staying with my mother, she and Kaitlyn really bonded. Kait couldn’t lie to her. It was very telling of her personality and character to advocate so hard. We told her everything. Literally everything.”

“Christ Almighty. Bianca must have been out for blood.”

“It was a little frightening, if I’m honest. All she did was pace, drink red wine, and knit.”

Tobias’s normally very dark skin loses about three shades as his eyes grow wide. “She was knitting?”

“Like a mad woman. I think she made nearly two full blankets while we were there less than twenty-four hours.”

“Mate, your pops is straight fucked.”

I can’t stop laughing, because he’s right. Mum only knits when she’s plotting something.

We spend the next hour or so pouring over upcoming meetings and finalizing all of the red tape we’ll need to cut through before Kaitlyn starts work.

I’m about to walk Tobias to the door and go check in on my girl when my phone lights up with a call from my father.

“We said his name too many times and summoned him like Beetlejuice,” Tobias jokes.

I roll my eyes and answer the call, “Yes, Father?”

“Are you aware the woman you’re seeing has a brother-in-law who nearly murdered a woman?”

“I’m sorry. Excuse me?”

“Can’t you do anything right? You should have had a full dossier on the little slut before you ever stuck your dick in her.”

“Take. That. Back. Right. Now. Or…” I growl with an octave so deep in my chest Tobias sits up straight.

“Or you’ll what, boy? I get you’re protecting your property, but get your head out of the clouds. You need to cut your losses. This is worse for the company than you being a manwhore.”

“We are done here.” I disconnect the call and toss my phone across the room to shatter against my built-in bookcase. I place my hands on my desktop so they have something to do other than tear this entire room to shreds.

“What did he say?” Tobias whispers.

As I’m about to answer, I hear a timid knock at the door. “Griffin? Is everything okay?”

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