Page 30 of Built to Last

He gives me a curt nod before leaning forward, placing his hands on the desk and staring at me like I suspect he would stare at one of the members of his cabinet who upset him. “Reid isn’t going anywhere. He’s doing the job we need him to do.”

“Then I understand.”

“No, you don’t. You’re not going anywhere either. Do you remember that contract I had you sign? The one you were so sure you didn’t need to read? Because you thought Anika had control. She did not. I did.”

Oh, I’m not sure I like this side of Luca. Except I kind of do. He’s always a gentleman. Like I’ve watched the man pick Ani up so her feet don’t get wet when it rains. I kind of thought he was a little soft. I worried he wouldn’t protect her if he had to choose between his office and his wife. I’m starting to understand the man won’t allow anything or anyone to harm Ani.

Even the woman she sees as a sister.

“What’s in my contract, Your Majesty?”

“A clause. It’s the fine print. I knew Ani wouldn’t read it either. She was only concerned about you getting a good salary and promised screen time,” Luca admits. “I believe she would tell me contracts are boring. They don’t even have murders in them, so she won’t read them. In this case my wife’s need for interesting reading means she missed the part where you have to buy your way out of the contract.”

My jaw nearly hits the floor. “What?”

“Yes, we’ve already bought the supplies you requested. You filled out all the forms for tools and equipment you’ll need, and we even designed a room for you when you’re not filming. I kept all the receipts. Would you like to know how much?”

Oh, I know. Thousands and thousands. He’s an evil shit. I kind of like him. He’s forgotten one thing though. “I can just go to Anika.”

“Ah, you could,” he allows. “But honestly, the contract is there so you can have a decent excuse for staying. I rather thought you and Reid would spark off each other. I worried when we began that you would have some dramatic chemistry. Good for a dating show. Perhaps not so good for a show about home renovations.”

He’s making my point. “Which is why you should let Reid bring in his own contractor.”

“Reid’s contractor isn’t my wife’s best friend,” Luca argues. “You were right about one thing. This isn’t merely about you, Harper. Are you willing to let this chance go? I’m not talking about working on Banover Place. I’m talking about working with your friend. When she got stuck in Banover Place while filming our show and production wouldn’t allow anyone in to see her, what did you do?”

He knows exactly what I did. “I lied my way into a job that gave me access to Banover Place and therefore to Anika. I made sure she was okay and was there when it all went to hell.”

When Luca cut Ani from the show and sent her away. At the time we didn’t know he was doing it for the right reasons. Ani thought he dumped her.

“Yes, and I was happy you were there,” Luca admits. “So is the woman who did all of that for her friend going to walk away from helping her through her first big production because her feelings are hurt? Because she doesn’t like how a coworker makes her feel? If you truly don’t want to work on this project because you don’t like the direction it’s going in, I’ll release you. I don’t want you miserable. But if you’re leaving so you don’t have to deal with Reid, I’m going to ask you to reconsider.”

I’m back to not liking this side of the man. But he’s right about a couple of things. I’m letting Reid Dorsey run me off a project I’m passionate about. I understand the financial implications of the job, and I can handle compromising on some of it. “The foyer is the most Gilded Age specific room in the house along with the front sitting area.”

A brow rises over his aristocratic eyes. “Are we negotiating?”

“Yes.”

His lips curl up in a smile. “There’s the woman my wife loves. The one I admire. Fine, then. Let’s negotiate. I think I can convince the buyer to allow you to keep many aspects of the original home. I want a list of your recommendations. But you should know Reid will likely fight you on it.”

I want to say the idea disgusts me, but the truth of the matter is fighting with Reid actually sounds like fun. In an “I hate him and want to best his arrogant ass” way. Not in a “this is going to lead to righteously nasty, shameful and invigorating sex” way. Because it’s not. “Bring it on.”

“As long as you don’t bring Anika into the middle,” Luca advises. “I need you to understand I want her to enjoy this. To do her job, but I don’t want her in the middle of some war between the two of you.”

“It won’t only be the two of us, will it? He’s got a brother. I assure you Jeremiah will stand with him.”

“Did you not hear? We have a new executive producer. Ivy decided she doesn’t enjoy being left out.” Luca gestures to the door. “She and Heath are enjoying an excellent roast right now. You are only hurting yourself with this isolation. I’m asking you not to push your family away because Reid Dorsey hurt your feelings.”

I went through this with my mother days ago and yet Luca’s request hits so much more softly. Jeremiah’s words have haunted me for days. This is my family. Ivy and Ani and now Heath and Luca. They support and love me. I do owe these people. “All right. I won’t let Reid take anything else from me. He did kind of take my dignity, but I can get that back.”

Luca chuckles. “If it helps in any way, he’s not engaged to Britta anymore. It was a mistake he made when he was young, and he’s had trouble correcting it. I sometimes worry that woman is holding something over his head.”

I ignore that part. The other thing he said is much more important. Ivy is here? “So you’re telling me I can drag Ivy into what will likely be my multitudinous battles with Reid? And it doesn’t matter. I’m not getting involved with him, but it is good to know he wasn’t cheating, and I will apologize for the remark.”

“Drag Ivy in as much as you like. She’ll enjoy the fight. Simply keep Ani out of it. She’ll be torn, and she has other things to worry about. This project is everything to her,” Luca says softly.

“I’ll talk to him,” I promise. “We’ll find a way to make this work. And honestly, even a show about renovations can use some drama. At least I think it can.”

Before he can answer there’s a knock on the door and then Anika is walking in, followed by Ivy. My besties are dressed in cocktail gowns, looking all gorgeous and glowy.

---