Page 71 of Convenient Rivals

“Because you don’t want to get your heart broken.”

“I really need to speak to Paolo or Charlie about anything emotional, don’t I?”

Langdon laughed. They were similar – protective of the others, albeit in different ways, and not the best at showing their emotions. Gregory left, after making Langdon promise several times that he wouldn’t speak to Grant today. He wasn’t sure where he was going until he arrived outside Oscar’s office. It wasn’t his intended destination, but he was here now, and he had something to say.

CHAPTER18

OSCAR

The morning had gone past in a blur. The guy completing the regulatory investigation had wanted to interview Oscar and clarify the timeline of Barty’s dismissal, which had already been shared with the regulator but he was being thorough. That’s why Daniel had recommended him. It had been an intense couple of hours, and felt like an interrogation, but Oscar knew they had to be watertight on everything.

The threat from Grant Kincaid was swirling round his brain, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it all. It was like he was in a movie with a terrible plot line. This was the twenty twenties, why were gangsters still a thing? There had to be a way to resolve it. Money always solved problems, and he was certain he could just pay not to have his face pulverised. He’d paid the money for Gregory last night, and was more than willing to write it off, but he knew his man would insist on paying him back. Was Gregory his man? Grant had referred to them as boyfriends several times, and he loved the sound of it.

Oscar was so lost in his own thoughts he didn’t realise someone was standing in front of his desk until they cleared their throat. He looked up to see Daniel, looking dapper as always in his immaculate suit.

“What can I do for you, Daniel?”

“Lunch?”

Oscar looked at his watch. It had just passed twelve. A glance at his calendar told him he didn’t have any meetings until two.

“Where?”

“I’m feeling sushi. I’ve got a meeting with an obnoxious client later, so I feel like breathing raw fish on him all afternoon.”

Oscar laughed. He locked his laptop screen and grabbed his suit jacket off the back of his chair. Daniel was only wearing a suit, so he didn’t take his coat as well– masculine ego and all that.

“Did you see Josh when you came in?” he asked Daniel.

“No. Maybe he’s at lunch.”

He usually told Oscar when he was going for lunch. Maybe he’d said something, and Oscar had been in his own world and not realised. He thought nothing more of it and got into the lift with Daniel.

“Did I tell you that Josh resigned?”

Daniel’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Yeah. He said it was personal, but I’m not willing to just accept it yet. He’s the best assistant I’ve ever had.”

“I’m sure he’s got his reasons.”

“Yes, but what are they?”

“Isn’t that his business? Maybe there’s a reason he doesn’t want to tell you.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m concerned about. What if we’ve got another conduct issue going on, and I just let my exec assistant walk out and do nothing about it?”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. The regulators aren’t interested in personal matters that are nothing to do with the firm.”

“I know, but...” He looked at Daniel, who for the first time was looking sheepish. “You know something, don’t you?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Please tell me you didn’t fuck him.”

The lift opened at that precise moment and there were some startled people who caught the end of their conversation. Daniel smirked, the fucker, and walked ahead without looking back. Oscar could feel his face flame as he nodded politely to people he vaguely recognised as being from companies on other floors. Thankfully, it wasn’t any of his team.

He jogged to catch up with Daniel, who was marching ahead, and he gripped him by the shoulder, pulling him back. Daniel looked at him. The same apprehension was back.

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