Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
My body locks tight over the accusation in his voice, and I’m wholly stunned he would bring this up. He’s never once shown an interest in my personal life. “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”
My father’s mouth presses into a grim line of disapproval. “As head of this company, it is absolutely my business. Having a relationship with an employee could be disastrous. Not to mention she’s not the type of woman you should be having relations with.”
I cannot stop the bark of laughter that erupts from deep within my chest. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I am most certainly not,” he says in offense.
I’m livid with my father, not because he’s expressing genuine concern about me or for the business, but by the mere fact his condescension of the issue is a direct attack at Bailey. He deems her to be unfit for a Blackwood, and that enrages me.
It’s why, for the first time in my life, I speak to my father with utter disrespect. “I don’t believe I should take advice on women from a man who has routinely cheated on his wife.”
My father doesn’t even have the grace to blush or look embarrassed. Merely lifting his chin, he says, “You are of an age where you need to start thinking about continuing the Blackwood legacy. You need to produce an heir, so we have a son to carry on this company.”
I knew my dad was old-fashioned, but that statement borders on the ridiculous.
“I was thinking of only having daughters,” I retort with a sly smile. “No reason a woman can’t run this company.”
I knew that would totally offend my father’s innate misogyny, and it amuses me to see he’s more offended over the notion of a woman at Blackwood’s helm than me pointing out his cheating ways.
I stand from my chair, grabbing my briefcase. “This discussion is over. Who I have a relationship with is my business as long as I do nothing to bring harm to the Blackwood name. I will determine the course of my own fate when it comes to relationships. I certainly won’t be taking advice from you. Unless you have anything else to discuss about the San Francisco project, I will be taking my leave.”
All color drains from my father’s face at my dismissal. It’s simply not done within the hierarchy of power.
His voice is cold and tight. “I don’t have to make you my heir to the Blackwood Empire.”
I smile, acknowledging it is well within his right to do so. “If that is your decision, I will abide by it.”
Calling his bluff, I pivot on my heel and walk out of his office without another word.
CHAPTER 26
Bailey
I flip through the folder Linda just handed me with a slow smile. I glance up at her. “Thank you so much. This helps me a lot.”
Linda works for the human resources manager here at the Blackwood Vegas, and I was looking for historical reports for Declan. He had wanted to look at an employee cost analysis amongst the various resorts. It had been lower on my list of priorities, but with him gone for an entire week, I was quickly catching up on my to-do list.
“Anytime,” Linda quips, then heads back to her cubicle.
My phone buzzes, and I glance down at it. A huge smile comes to my face when I see a text from Declan.
I grab my phone, ignoring how excited I am to have a few words from him. In all honesty, it’s been a lot harder than I thought it would be being away from him. While we frequently text throughout the day when he’s able to take a break from his work, and we talk at length via phone while we lay in bed at night, I have found I miss him terribly.
One more meeting, then I will be on my way back to you. Dinner tonight?
On his way back to me.
He makes it sound like I might even be home to him. That says something considering Declan doesn’t have a good idea as to what home even means.
My fingers fly over my phone screen as I reply. I can’t wait.
I hesitate, hating I have a bit of doubt saying the words dwelling within my heart. Hating I doubt he will accept them as a genuine truth and terrified he doesn’t feel the same way. I consider this a cowardly notion, determining if I want something, I need to plainly ask for it. If I feel something, I need to let it be known. And if Declan doesn’t feel the same, I would rather know sooner rather than later. Because at the rate I am falling for him, my heart is soon no longer going to belong to me.
Deciding to be brave, I type, I really miss you.