Page 36 of The Marriage Bid
“We don’t know that yet,” Sebastian said. I was glad he was the voice of reason. Maybe all hope is not lost.
Tyler bent over the desk to shout at his brother. “Massimo hasn’t responded to any of my texts or emails ever since the news broke. You know how he is about rules. He won’t work with us as long as this thing hangs above us. And if another firm scoops him up…”
“There are plenty of fish in the sea,” Sebastian said.
“That’s rich coming from you. You were the one who wanted him so bad. ‘He has prime real estate, Tyler.’ Isn’t that what you used to say?”
“I mean, what can we do? If he can’t weather a minor storm like this, he shouldn’t be working with us anyway.”
“Minor storm. Do you hear yourself? What have they done to my brother? Is it the kid? Is that why they do?”
Sebastian chuckled. “Something like that. She’s been hell, but she’s lovely, so really, I can’t complain. I could cut the vay cay and come and help you out.”
Tyler shook his head. “No need. I’ll turn off the fire over here. You need time with her.”
“Hey! Saff can help! You know Massimo is a family-oriented guy. He would love to know that you’re not a playboy and are actually a decent married man.”
As though he had forgotten I was here, Tyler glanced up at me, a frown marring his gorgeous features. “Fuck no. She caused this.”
“I didn’t,” I cut in.
“So. Let her help.”
Tyler looked at me again. His gaze was harder and more piercing than before. I held it. “Call you later, Seb,” he said and ended the call.
“Think whatever you may think of me, but I would never sabotage a company I am working with. You’re literally the lifeline of my company. Marble Row was on the brink of bankruptcy until you took our contract. And that’s not only it. We’ve hired people, and why would I risk their jobs out of some stupid revenge I don’t even care about? Think about it.”
His eyes narrowed. His jaw ticked. That signature note of his. Time seemed to slow down. To this moment. And then he stalked over to me, eating the space between us until he was towering over me. “Whoever did this did it for you. Do you know anyone who would do such a thing?”
“How would that benefit me?”
“I don’t know. How about you show you can use the material you have and harm me where necessary? How about to show you can use it to gain leverage in our divorce? This is not everything, and you know it. You could bleed me dry if you want to.”
I was about to deny it, but I chose a different tack. “What if I help you? Like Seb suggested.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“Why not? You need help.”
He stepped closer, crowding me. Intimidating me? Or something else… His nostrils flared. His head bent as his gazezeroed in on my lips. I hadn’t worn my usual red lipstick and instead opted for a more natural, clean look and put on plain lip gloss. He seemed almost fascinated by them. I tipped my head up slightly.
“Let me help you,” I repeated.
As though he were coming out of a trance, he reared his head back and took several steps away from me. Arms akimbo, he said, “Fine. But we'd better get the deal, or it’s over for you.”
“Understood.”
???
“You can’t wear that,” Tyler said when I came out of my apartment. He was leaning against his car, looking sleek in chinos, a blue shirt, and tan loafers. The sunglasses completed the spoiled billionaire look. I glanced down at my white tank dress. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Too tight and too short.”
“Come on. It’s slightly below the knee.”
He shrugged. “If you want Massimo to believe that you and I are a decent, happily married couple, looking like a high-class hooker will not help.”
“What should I wear then?”
