Page 25 of The Cinderella Secret
“When do I not?” asked Jackson, seeming to rouse himself. “Although, at the moment my thought is to ask about Stacy Kasich.”
Evan began to laugh, and Aiden glared at him.
“That isveryancient history,” said Aiden, “and I don’t think it needs to be revisited.”
“Let us just say that the Three Stooges have nothing on a teenage Aiden trying to sneak a girl out of this house.”
Aiden shook his head. “It was like Grandma was everywhere. It was enough to give a guy nightmares.”
Evan chuckled, then subsided, scrutinizing Aiden critically. “You met with the Zhao. How ugly is this likely to get? If this is going to be an exercise in dredging up Randall and Dad’s finer moments, I’d almost rather give them the shares. Grandma doesn’t need that.”
“Forget about Grandma,” said Jackson swiftly.
“I don’t really think that’s an option,” Evan replied, looking startled.
“Randall and Owen aren’t going away,” said Jackson. “As a threat, I mean. And it might be uncomfortable for Grandma, but she’s had a long time to prepare and practice for having them thrown in her face. They don’t affect her.”
“They might not affect her work,” said Evan. “But it will still upset her.”
“And again,” said Jackson, “I’m telling you to ignore her. Take her out of the equation.”
Evan looked like he didn’t know what to say.
“I think what Jackson is getting at,” said Aiden, more gently, “is that you shouldn’t steer your course by what Grandma wants. What doyouwant to do?”
Evan frowned. “What I want doesn’t really…” he trailed off. “Well, what do you want?” he asked Jackson.
“I want to do what you want to do,” Jackson replied, and Evan looked annoyed.
“Stop trying to bully me into making a decision.”
“Then make a decision,” said Jackson.
“I feel weird telling Aiden what to do.”
“Since when?” asked Aiden. “I think you told me what tie to wear for every fucking public appearance that Grandma ever made us go to when we were kids.”
“That was for your own good,” said Evan. “I let you pickonetime and you came out in a turquoise clip-on bow tie. Where you even found such a thing, I will never know.”
Aiden grinned. “Came in a joke kit with a matching boutonniere that sprayed water.”
Jackson snorted.
“Evan,” said Aiden, “this is what I do. If you want me to protect DevEntier, I can do it.”
“I’m not Grandma,” said Evan. “I don’t want to…” He frowned, seeming to search for words.
“Use us,” supplied Aiden. “Thank you. I appreciate that. But I am good at my job, and honestly, I would rather be good at my job for you than for my jackass employers.”
Evan looked embarrassed. “All right,” he said slowly. “Then, no, I don’t want to give the Zhao one inch of DevEntier.”
10
Ella – J.P. Granger
“Ella, Ella, Ella,” said Lilly, skidding around the corner on the tile floor of the hallway as Ella stepped off the elevator. “Mom’s going to ask you if I talked to you about Nora’s party and you need to say you thought it was a good idea.”
Ella looked skeptically at her younger cousin. “Uh-huh. And why do I think it’s a good idea?”
