Derek was the man I’d asked to find out what he could about why Lily had lost her job and David hadn’t. “I know who you are. Have you found out anything?”
“I overheard a conversation earlier today, which shed some light on why Lily was let go. At lunch, David and another man named Peter, were talking about Lily. Apparently, they had a meeting with you and discovered she was now working for you. David sounded really pissed, but the other guy asked him why he was bothered, since he was screwing the boss’s daughter.”
Fuck. I sure as hell hadn’t been expecting that. “Are you sure?”
“David made a couple of crude comments about her, and Lily for that matter, so yes. From what he was saying, it seemed that way and I think the boss’s daughter had something to do with Lily leaving.”
“Thanks, Derek. You’ve been a great help. I’ll transfer you the money tonight.”
“Thank you, Mr McKenzie. Have a good night.”
I slammed my phone down onto the desk and drained my glass of whiskey, before I threw it into the fire, which I’d yet to set. What a fuckin’ mess. Did I tell Lily or let her find out for herself? If I told her, I’d be able to console her, providing she didn’t shoot the messenger. If she found out for herself, she might come to me on her own. What a damn position to be in.
The sooner she was away from him the better. The thought of them together was driving me crazy.
I answered my phone again. “Yes,” I said, still annoyed.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Lucien asked.
“Nothing. What’s wrong? Has Sebastian showed up yet?” I sat back in my chair feeling the exhaustion settle in, which usually happened after a glass of whiskey.
“Yeah, he’s here. Just wanted to let you know he’d arrived. Why are you fobbing me off?”
I laughed. Trust Lucien to see through me. “No reason, just one of those days…. don’t forget the McKenzie picnic in a couple of weeks,” I reminded him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there. If I must.”
“You must,” I replied. If I didn’t force him to be there, he’d stay holed up in Denver.
“All right, Michael. I’ll see you in two weeks and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He laughed.
I hung up the phone, only to have it ring not two minutes later.
“Ruben, now what?”
“Well you sound in a good mood.” Ruben laughed down the phone.
“Look, I’ve had a shit day, so just get on with it.”
“Okay, I was ringing to see if you wanted to come down to the club tonight for a couple of drinks….and to get laid.”
I growled. “If I wanted to get laid, I’m quite capable of finding myself my own woman…. but a few drinks sounds good.”
“So you’ll come down then?”
“Yes.”
I hung up. If I didn’t know better I’d say he was up to something. Fists might fly if he had a woman there, ready and waiting. I only wanted one woman.
Lily.
Chapter 11
~~ LILY ~~
I’d been hiding in the bathroom for about forty-five minutes and my stomach was growling. I really needed some food. The best I could hope for was that he’d cleaned up and left the apartment. I really hoped he had, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was supposed to say to him after that little show.
Okay, I could do this. I plastered on a brave face and opened the bathroom door, only to get hit by the aroma of butter chicken. I followed the delicious smell to the kitchen and found David there, fully dressed – thank god – with an apron tied around his waist at the stove, stirring what I presumed was butter chicken. The only thing David seemed capable of cooking.
He turned and caught me watching him. “I thought you were going to stay in there all night.”
I laughed. “I wasn’t sure what exactly I’d be walking out into, after, you know.” I waved my arms around.
He looked at me for the longest time. “I’d been horny all day after seeing you all business–like at McKenzie’s.”
My mouth dropped. Was he for real? He’d been pissed as hell.
“Are you sure about that? Because that wasn’t the impression I got earlier.”
Sitting at the table in the kitchen, I waited for him to respond. He’d heard me, as his shoulders stiffened briefly. I watched him while he served the chicken dish with rice and after placing my plate on the table he took his seat opposite me.
He poured us both a glass of wine and looked at me, offering a toast. “To your new job.”
Okay, I could play along. “To my new job.” I agreed and placed my wine back on the table as he continued to watch me.
“I reacted badly today at McKenzie’s. It was a shock to see you there with Michael McKenzie. The guy couldn’t keep his eyes off you, which got my back up.”