Page 52 of Beauty
As we pullup to the restaurant where we’re set to meet Beckett and Liv, my phone rings and my attorney’s name flashes on the screen.
With a shrug, I say, “I have to take this.”
As much as I’d rather put all this off until I get back to Paris, I can’t ignore him.
Garreth nods. “Go ahead.”
Beckett thinks I’m coming to dinner on my own. But I figured breaking the news to him that I’m dating one of his best friends would go better if we were in public and he was forced to keep his cool.
Though I really believe he’ll be happy. Especially when he learns that Garreth has been my rock through all the shit life has doled out this last year.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Sienna,” the older man says. “I’m sorry to bother you, but this couldn’t wait.”
“What’s going on?” I focus on the dashboard of the expensive rental Garreth picked up. My fingers itch to touch the real Italian leather, but I fight the urge. That would be weird, right?
“They’re not willing to settle for what we offered.” He’s direct, which I appreciate. I don’t need him to soften the blow. I just need him to handle the explosion that upended my life. Or stop it altogether. Though by now it’s clear that’s not possible.
“What dotheywant?” They, as in the handful of designers I brought into the co-op I created. They, as in the people I’m currently locked in a legal battle with. They, as in the people who are hellbent on putting me out of business.
“They want your ability to design.”
His matter-of-fact tone makes the blow easier to take. Teeth gritted, I blink once, twice. It’s all the emotion I’ll let show.
Beside me, Garreth watches, his eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed in concern.
“They want what?”
“They want you to agree never to design again.”
“They’re insane,” I mutter, my eyes falling shut.
“Yes. Obviously we won’t agree to that. But I think we need something more than money.”
I blow out a breath, at a complete loss for how to respond.
“Sienna,” he sighs. “They know what you’re worth. And…”
When he doesn’t immediately continue, impatience flares, like fire in my veins.
“And what?”
Why the hell is he suddenly tiptoeing around the facts?
“And in discovery,” he hedges, “they saw the messages that involve Beckett. They know he’s the one who recommended the financial manager to you.”
My vision darkens as a protective rage takes over. “Beckett has nothing to do with any of this.”
“We both know that’s not true,” he says evenly.
Desperation claws at my chest, making it hard to breathe. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. “If they promise to leave my family alone, I’ll agree to whatever they want.”
Garreth glares at me. “What is happening?” he mouths.
I shake my head and turn away. “Make the deal.”
“Sienna,” my attorney clips out. “Let’s at least agree to the mediation first. From there, we can assess whether it’s possible to talk them down a bit.”
