Page 73 of Top Dog

“Can I ask why?”

My eyes connected with his as a smile crossed my face.

“You’ll know it when you hear about it,” I said with a wink.

James shook his head as he closed down his computer. I saw my way out and headed for my car, then sped off toward Mr. Dashel’s office. This wasn’t happening any longer. Stefano wasn’t going to get away with slaughtering my father’s name this way. If Romeo and I could make one family business legitimate, then we could make both of them legitimate.

Which meant unseating Stefano permanently.

I pulled into the parking space in front of the private office. I drew in a deep breath and calmed the rolling of my stomach before I proceeded inside. I’d always enjoyed James. He was kind. Had a good head on his shoulders. But Mr. Dashel was ruthless, and I knew he would be a much bigger obstacle to overcome.

Especially when he knew why I was coming to see him.

“Come in, Miss Bianchi. Take a seat.”

“Thank you for seeing me without an appointment, Mr. Dashel.”

“The Bianchi family never needs an appointment,” he said with a grin. “What can I help you with?”

“Why did you help put Stefano at the head of the family?” I asked.

Mr. Dashel cocked his head as his fingers interlocked and rested on his desk.

“I’m not following.”

“It’s a simple question. Why was my uncle instated as the next head of the family?” I asked.

“Because that’s the rightful succession.”

“No. It’s not. I’m the heir to my father’s position, and I would like to know why my uncle received it instead of me.”

“Well, Miss Julia—”

“Bianchi,” I said.

Mr. Dashel’s eyes hardened on me, and I watched him lean back into his chair.

“Keep your hands where I can see them, Mr. Dashel.”

He clenched his jaw and placed his locked hands back onto his desk.

“Miss Bianchi, surely you didn’t expect your father to hand you that seat,” he said.

“I have it on good authority that he was grooming me for that seat,” I said.

“A woman has never sat in that position before.”

“A black man had never been President before, either. And we had him for eight years.”

“Miss Bianchi—”

“Well there’s a first time for everything Mr. Dashel. Now answer the question. Why was Stefano given my seat?”

“Because you were grieving and had a small child. It was no place for you to be in.”

“Would my father have agreed with you?” I asked.

“Well he’s not here to answer for himself, and I don’t speak on behalf of the dead.”

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