Page 68 of Crossing the Line
The First Shot
Paisley Grove
“You do look beautiful tonight,” Clive says.
I give him cold eyes. I can’t believe he’s trying to hit on me after that dinner from hell we just endured. Well, I endured.
I also can’t believe I stayed. Dinner was soon served—blue-cheese-glazed filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. While eating, Clive informed me that as head of the TRANSPOT team, I would have unmitigated knowledge of how the software is progressing. He also took the time to clearly explain why I need to head the TRANSPOT team after Friday’s hearing. Since I established my authority on TRANSPOT, during the next hearing, when I declare that TRANSPOT cannot be achieved as initially planned, my claim will carry more weight. All of the maneuvering and game play is about making the agreement final. Apparently, the Lords want to add a clause that will allow them to come back to the table and renegotiate a licensing deal if TRANSPOT ever becomes a thing.
My dad tried to force me to agree to this scheme right there and then, but I refused. “I’ll think about it,” I repeated three times, and I meant it. I’m not going to lie to the arbitrator.
After taking my last bite of steak, I patted my lips with my cloth napkin and announced that I had to go. My dad restated his request that I move back into the penthouse. By then, I was careful not to openly object. There’s one thing I know for certain—my parents mean to carry out their intentions. Another head of public relations will replace me. And the only office available for me at GIT will be as head of TRANSPOT. I just don’t know how soon it will happen. Maybe next week. April is almost over—maybe the first week of May. Regardless, I have time to make up my mind. I think the time has come for me to cut ties with GIT for good.
As I got up from the table and pushed my chair in, Xander tasked Clive with driving me home.
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have your own car and driver,” Xander said. “I’ll have Sylvia order you service.”
I shook my head adamantly. “I’ll hire my own car and driver.” Since we would be locking horns like two overgrown antelopes about me working or not working for GIT in the near future, giving him a win with the private car request was the least I could do.
Then Xander kept badgering me until he made me promise to do it within twenty-four hours.
I’m pondering my promise to my dad as I ride in Clive’s luxury sedan. The pleasant scent of brand-new leather is soothing in relation to all that’s gone wrong tonight. I welcome how gently the engine purrs and how I can’t hear a thing beyond the windows.
I make a decision. I’ll buy an electric car tomorrow. I like the quiet.
“This will turn out fine,” Clive says to fill the long period of awkward silence.
I grunt with disdain. Crunching noises arise from his side of the car, so I stop staring out the passenger-side window and focus on him instead. The glare coming from outside illuminates his face as he smiles bashfully.
I soften. I didn’t mean to be so hard on him. He likes me. It’s not a sin to like a woman who can never like you back. And as far as my parents are concerned, Clive is only doing his job.
“I’m sorry about my mood. My parents are…” I can’t even find the words.
“Yeah, that was pretty rough.”
“Yes,” I say, happy he saw it.
“But are you seeing Hercules Lord? Are you two serious?” Clive glances at me, and I can’t hide my panic.
“What do you mean by serious?” I ask past my tight throat.
Clive rakes his fingers down the side of his face. “Then youarespending time with him?”
I shrug. I would look at my phone right now to see if Hercules called during dinner, but that would implicate me.
“He’s an old friend,” I say. That sounds platonic enough. “What can I say? We’ve always been good friends.”
“Then the two of you carried on a friendship before Thursday night? But after Thursday night, when the videos appeared, your relationship evolved?”
I jerk my head back. What the hell?“Am I on trial here?”
His frown turns more intense. “I didn’t mean to put you in the hot seat. Just making casual conversation.” Clive grips the steering wheel with both hands. “But you do know that your brother and Achilles Lord dislike each other with the sort of passion that I find dangerous.”
I frown hard. “Dangerous?”
He nods briskly. “I suspect each of them will go to any lengths to annihilate the other. Do you have any knowledge regarding the source of the contention between them? I just can’t figure it out.”
I shake my head. “Me neither.”
