_OceanofPDF

“Macy’s already cancelled. That’s a two hundred thousand dollar order,
Estella.”
“I was busy,” I said, fist pounding my knee. “I was in the middle of
something. I—”
“We’re protecting a name. An idea. A fantasy. Details matter. Basile and
I tried to—”
“Get my father’s name out of your mouth!” I launched up, hands on the
desktop, waist bent over the edge as if I wanted to eat her whole and spit the
bones.
She didn’t move a muscle. She knew who she was and how deeply I fell
within the boundaries of her power. I couldn’t win, even to fulfill my
father’s dying wish, but I wasn’t going down easy. I didn’t avert my gaze
from hers. Didn’t submit an inch.
When a light knock touched the open door, she glanced over my
shoulder and broke into a trademark phony smile.
“Mr. Crowne,” she said with a voice that matched her mask.
I spun. Logan stood in the doorway, smiling at me in jeans, jacket, and a
fine gauge blue sweater that hugged his torso and matched his eyes as if
they’d been the color standard.
“I’m sorry,” Michelle said from behind him with a helpless expression.
“He just came in.”
“It’s fine, dear,” Bianca said with a voice so sweet and bright, a person
wouldn’t know she’d just been ripping me a new asshole. “Come in, Mr.
Crowne. Can we get you anything? Michelle, get Mr. Crowne some coffee.
Hurry now.” Then to Logan, indicating his sweater, “Is that LVM’s fall
cerulean?”
“I have no idea.” He kept his eyes on me. “You all right?”
“Yeah, I… you’re early.”
“We have some business first.” He met Bianca’s gaze. “Would you
excuse us?”
“Of course,” Bianca said. “Let me know if I can get you anything.”
“I will.”
Bianca shot me a threatening glance before leaving and bumping into
Michelle, who reacted quickly enough to get out of the way.
“Your face is red,” he said, closing the door.
The room went quiet. I could finally breathe.
“Rough morning.” I sat on the couch, rubbing my eyes until I saw stars.