Page 56 of Boss

Kassidy swallowed down the hard truth. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Reaching up she touched her brow and winced. She looked at her fingers, and was relieved to see there was no blood. It hurt like she was bleeding though. He observed her in silence.

“Why are you like this? You aren’t really a Marshall but you’re just as evil,” she said.

“I’m protecting my family because they are my family.”

“That’s a lie. You went to Alaska and met with the Kovalevsky’s to take your company from your family.”

Tarek went over to what she didn’t know was a liquor cabinet, and began to fix himself a drink.

“Your father is dumping the oil business,” she blurted out.

Tarek froze. His back was to her so she couldn’t see his face. But she sensed his tension and anger.

“It’s the truth. It started right after you left again for Alaska. Did you know I’ve been meeting with him and Dale the past two months?He’s unloading the company.”

Tarek slammed the bottle down on the shelf.

“He doesn’t care about the Campos Basin or Alaska. And neither does your brother Dale. There’s some investigations starting. Your father has been dumping stock, and selling off parts of your company for months. The only paper trail he’s leaving is the one that leads to you,” she said.

Tarek chuckled. He nodded and smiled. “You’re good… really good. But I know everything about my company and my family. Nothing happens behind my back.”

“So you’re in on it? You’re letting them do it? Why?”

Tarek didn’t answer.

“What is it you really want Tarek?”

There was no fucking way his father would abandon the Marshall legacy. The stroke hadn’t scrambled his brain that much. Tarek was groomed from a small boy to protect and serve the Marshall name. Not a single one of his brothers, including Dale, ever showed the commitment or desire to do the same. He removed his phone from his blazer pocket and dialed his father. The call went to voicemail.

“It’s Tarek. You were right about her. Call me,” he said and hung up.

“Who was that?” she asked.

Tarek smiled.

“Who was right about me?”

He didn’t answer.

“I need to use the bathroom,” she said.

“Then I guess it’s time,” he tossed down his drink and set the glass down.

“Time for what?” she asked.

“I’m in no mood for this bullshit,” he said and approached. She scooted over on the sofa. He took her arm and forced her to stand. “I’ll put you in a room, and we’ll wait for your friend to deliver. Then you and I, pretty lady, are done. Oh, and yes sweetheart you’re fired.”

She was pretty. That was part of her power. Because it took brains, smarts, and guts to do what she had done in the past six months and not get caught. How stupid was he? The moment she approached him in the restaurant he knew she wasn't who she seemed. He didn't believe her bullshit for a minute. Then he takes her to Alaska and loses his focus. He was an idiot.

When he pulled her toward the door, she didn’t resist. Not like he expected she would. So he let go of the tight hold he kept on her arm. At times, he didn’t know his own strength. He saw the way her eyes swept her surroundings as they walked, and he could imagine her thoughts. She wanted out. There was no out thanks to the winter storm barreling down on him. There were no phones in his place, besides the one in his pocket. She was his, for now.

“I need medical attention,” she said.

Tarek glanced over to her, remembering that she did black out, and the swelling above her brow was becoming more apparent.

“I feel funny, dizzy,” she said.

“I should hear from Cash soon,” he said.

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