“Oh, my God, Kane? Are you okay? She’s certifiable. I swear, Daddy should have put her ass out a long time ago.”
I look down at Ivy and push her away. Judging by the fact she had to struggle to stay upright in her pencil thin heels, I didn’t quite hold back the rage in my forcefulness.
Movement behind Ivy catches my attention and I flash my eyes to see Dominic pinching the bridge of his nose. His face is red, and I have no doubt it’s with anger and not embarrassment. Something tells me it takes a lot to embarrass a man like him—if anything. A man with no morals and absolutely no issues stepping on whoever he needs to.
Including a woman who appears to carry a world of pain on her shoulders.
“You disgust me,” I seethe, earning his calculated stare. “How a man—any man—could treat a woman that way is beyond me. How a father—regardless of the step in front of that title—could treat his daughter in a way so despicable only shows your true character, Dominic. Anyone who has no qualms in spewing the malevolence that you just did deserves all the hell karma could bring you. I’m sure that will happen sooner than expected considering you had planned on me being your savior—the financial life raft to your drowning company.”
I take a few measured steps forward, stopping when my body is crowding his personal space. Even though he’s in good shape for an older man, he has nothing on me. My body, shaped and honed by years of strict dietary limitations and physical training, is solid muscle. Add to the fact I’m a solid six or so inches taller, and my intimidation factor isn’t just with my words.
I could crush him. Physically, easy, but the hellfire I could rain upon him within the industry would be more damaging than any verbal cockfight I could ever have with this asshole. And he knows it.
“You,” I emphasize with a sharp check to his shoulder, “could have reaped the just deserts of me walking in your doors today. You could have picked up the pieces of shit you’ve managed to let this company of yours become just by signing a contract with me after our meeting. I had come here to discuss the use of a good number of your clients and employees. Do you understand that, Dominic?”
“What’s he talking about, Daddy?” Ivy whines behind me, but neither of us is willing to break from the heated battle of domination we’re warring.
His eyes narrow and his brow furrows. “Now, wait just a goddamn second here, son,” he fumes.
“One thing you should get straight, old man—do not ever call me son. It would be an embarrassment to me to even imply that we had the kind of relationship that calls upon that sort of familiarity.”
I can tell he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. His chest is puffing up in defiance of my words, betraying the power he’s desperately trying to hold on to. He’s used to being in control of everything and everyone around him. I can only imagine what it’s costing him to shut the fuck up to avoid pissing someone as powerful as I am off.
I hold all the cards here.
And fuck if I understand it, but I’m willing to go to bat for a woman who I know nothing about just based on a feeling.
All because with one look into those wounded doe eyes, I was willing to give her anything at just a chance to explore the connection between us.
I’ve lost my mind, but even if it weren’t for Willow, hearing a man talk to a woman like that would have been enough for me to step in.
“Word on the street is you’re so far in the red you’re fucking bleeding out.” I step a little closer and look down my nose at him; the arrogance he held earlier vanishes with the panic. I know more about him than he bargained. “How’s it feel to know that with your actions today, you kissed any chance of aligning yourself with my name away. Lucky for me, I believe you just threw the best part of Logan Agency out the door like trash. I’m going to enjoy picking her up. My guess, she knows more about your own remaining clients than you do.”
He sucks in a deep breath, and I know I’ve hit the nail on the head. Willow might just have been a secretary in his eyes, but you don’t work that close to someone like Dominic Logan without soaking up everything you can.
“Good luck ending out this quarter with the Logan Agency’s doors still open, Dominic.”
My smile is nothing short of satanic when I turn and assess Ivy. “You were wrong, Ivy. The only certifiable people I see here are the two of you.”
Stomping my way toward the hallway that will lead me out of here, I turn, addressing the two Logans with cold calculations. “I think what Willow forgot earlier was a good fuck you to the both of you pathetic idiots. I’ll see myself out.”