Page 49 of In Love and Revenge

He catches my eye, an undercurrent of understanding in his. He’s the one person I’ve confided in about Aurora, but he doesn’t know it’s a deep urge for revenge that’s driving me. He only knows she’s the woman who’s been stealing my attention for months.

Stealingbeing the opportune word.

‘Nice to meet you both too,’ she replies before flicking her eyes to me briefly. If I’m not mistaken her gaze drops to my crotch. But that situation is under control. For now.

‘Let’s get to it, shall we?’ I say as I take a seat at the head of the table, keeping the crisp tube concealed beneath the desk.

Twenty minutes later, after discussing some new mines they’ve acquired, and the location of five new stores they’re opening worldwide, I’m preparing to close up the meeting.

‘Is that the new award you guys won?’ Sullivan drawls.

He points to the bookcase near the door, where a selection of industry awards gleam on the shelves.

I crack my neck. ‘It is.’

‘Can we take a look?’

‘Sure. Aurora, do you mind?’

‘Why don’t you get up and show us, Rafe?’

I narrow my eyes at him, and he looks back, his lips twitching. The guy never used to break a smile before he fell in love with his daughter’s nanny. Right now, I wish he was still the serious, moody bastard he used to be. Because I know exactly what he’s up to.

‘Fine,’ I grit, taking my time to rise carefully from my chair.

I keep my arm behind me as I walk backwards towards the bookcase.

Sullivan leans back in his chair, watching me. The bastard will pay for this. I’d rather he didn’t see me with a goddamn crisp tube attached to me like a pink cardboard limb. But we’re friends; I can tell him to fuck off if he laughs. Sterling Beaufort? Not so much. He’s a man I don’t want to lose respect from. Fifty-one years old and a goddamn legend in the business world. Being caught looking like a ridiculous pillock by him would be the most embarrassing thing that could ever happen. I’m a bloody CEO of a corporate insurance firm, for God’s sake. I deal with billion-pound companies every day. My reputation is everything.

And I currently have a tube of bacon-flavoured crisps melded to my arm.

‘You all right there, son?’ Sterling asks, watching the awkward way I’m moving across the room.

‘Fine, thank you.’ I force a smile as I reach the bookcase.

I pick the crystal award up. Aurora’s eyes catch mine and she presses her lips together like she’s trying not to laugh.

‘You know, the doctor can give you fibre tablets for that.’ Sterling chuckles as I return, clasping the award in my free hand, holding it up so they can see.

Sullivan leans forward, squinting. ‘Hold it steady with both hands. It keeps moving, I can’t read what’s on it.’

I pull my shoulders back and thrust it closer to the screen, still in one hand.

‘Still moving,’ Sullivan quips.

‘Better?’ I grit, my smile tightening.

‘Nope.’

I try again and he shakes his head.

‘Still can’t read it. Just get your other hand, Rafe. What are you doing with it? Got it in your pants or something?’

‘Of course I bloody haven’t!’ I snap, throwing my arm out in frustration.

Cool air whooshes over my hand as the crisp tube detaches itself and flies across the room at an alarming speed. The relief of having full blood flow restored to my hand is immediately interrupted by a loud crack.

I snap my head in its direction at the same moment a siren screeches from the broken panel on the wall.