Three things hit me at once: Scottie’s concerns, Tessa’s run-in, and Tony’s description of Poppy. All mixed with Marco’s apprehension has my suspicions firing off.
“Who is she?”
“Who?”
“The woman who attended the fundraising event with you.”
“Why does that matter?”
“How long have you known her?”
“None of your business.”
“Around two weeks? She’s not from the area?”
His jaw tightens, his eyes flaring.
“I’m going out on a limb here. Brunette, attractive, sexy, confident. But this woman differs from others, she doesn’t mind the no-commitment lifestyle.”
“You want to make this ugly? You’re a pompous prick. Not too long ago, you lived the lifestyle until your ass got weak and fell for a stripper. She’s hot, I’ll give you that, but thought you had more intelligence. Bet you walked in that club and she pegged you immediately.”
Rage morphs into a fiery fury and my vision goes red. “You already have a firm to transfer your money?”
“Yes.”
“And my other meetings this week, they result from you sitting around your gentleman’s club running your mouth?”
“What others choose to do isn’t my concern. Maybe you should have been paying attention to your business.”
“Boy, she did a number on you.” I chuckle sadistically, then press the intercom. “Tessa, please join us.”
She hustles in, her face blank but eyes alert. “Yes?”
“Mr. Sanchez is moving his accounts immediately.”
“I’ll get the paperwork ready. Where should I send it?”
I raise an eyebrow to him in question.
“Is this how you respond when your largest client fires you?”
“You’re not my largest client, and I’m firing you.” My attention goes back to Tessa. “Also, cancel the other meetings this week. Send them termination of service and transfer instructions as well. Let them know my staff will be available for the transition.”
Her face remains stoic; however, I don’t miss the twitch in her lips. “Absolutely. Anything else?”
“Yes, send me the most updated inquiries. We now have six unexpected openings.”
She turns, but not before I catch the full on smile.
Tony’s expression is steely. “You are an arrogant son of a bitch.”
I open my video file on my desktop and turn the monitor to him. “See anyone familiar?”
“What the hell is that?”
“From your reaction, I’m guessing it’s your new fuck buddy. This video was taken in Vegas over a month ago.”
“Vegas?” He squints, leaning in. “Is that Isaac Blake?”
“The one and only.”
“What is he doing?”
“Right at that instant, he’s falling back in love with my wife. Now the asshole’s on speed dial, and it looks like I’ll have to make a call today. You and he have something in common; you’ve both been seduced by the devil. She conned him as well, but she’s upped her game. Natasha uses the old-fashioned way of persuasion to get a man to heel. Guess you’re not as untouchable as you thought.”
“Tasha knows nothing of my business.”
“Keep telling yourself that. I rejected the woman publically, and she didn’t take it well. She marked you, probably fed you lies, too. Does she know you’re meeting with me today and the reason?”
The color drains from his face as understanding dawns. “That bitch was in my house. She must have gone through my things.”
“Don’t worry, I bet she’ll be vapor when you get home.”
I stand, going toward the door.
“I don’t know what the hell is happening, but we need to talk about this.”
“The time to talk was when you called me Saturday. Even this morning could have worked, but you came in here swinging your dick and your money around like you had the upper hand.”
“We have too much history to let this ruin our relationship. I fucked up.” He comes to me, offering his hand.
The bastard has the same condescending tone as a few minutes ago, triggering the fury inside. Before I can stop myself, my fist is connecting with his jaw and he’s stumbling into the wall. Frames crash around him loudly.
“That’s for insulting my wife, you fucking son of a bitch.”
The door flies open, and Pierce stands poised for anything. Poppy shuffles in with wide eyes. She takes one look at me, drops the crutches, and launches herself the four feet across the space. I catch her, hauling her close. She grips the back of my neck, scans over my face, and immediately the fury softens. The smell of her perfume and the fresh flowers in her hair settle the simmer inside.
“Jesus, man. I’m sorry.” Tony’s tone is full of regret.
“Get out of my office,” I grind out, not glancing his way.
Poppy swings her head to him, clutching tighter. “I don’t know you, but you better leave.”
“I’ll escort him out of the building,” Pierce speaks up, not masking his disgust.
“Tessa, Anthony Sanchez’s email may have been compromised. Hand him the transfer paperwork and make sure he’s removed from our client portal immediately. Customer service can handle him.”
“Yes, sir,” she trills, shutting the door when he’s through it.
“I’m sorry you witnessed that.”
“I asked Pierce to bring me early to surprise you. He insulted me?”
She heard my outrage. “He’s an ass that was misinformed.”
Poppy says nothing for a full minute, then her mouth splits into a breathtaking smile.
“Shit.” I lay my forehead to hers. “That smile just erased the hellacious last few hours.”
“Wait ‘til later when we get home from rehab and I show you how hot that was.”
That’s all it takes for my dick to turn to steel.
Chapter 32
Poppy
“You really are a hotshot, aren’t you?” Jesse makes notes on her tablet.
“Nope, I’m an overachiever. There’s a difference.”
“You’re becoming as big a pain in my ass as Annie.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
She goes to the far side of the room, aiming the tablet at me. “Alright, dancing queen, show us you can do this.”
“Gladly.” I make a point to do a toe, ball, heel across the room, leaning on one crutch on my left side.
“Stop, reverse, go with the heel first,” she instructs.
My heel barely protests as I make my way to Jesse, spin, and go back to my original spot. “Voila!”
“So damn cocky.” She clicks off the video. “You never wore a cast?”
“Not a hard cast; Rexwell is more progressive.”
“That’s been obvious from the beginning. I’ll recommend an adjustment on your knee.”
“Let’s move to water therapy next week,” I suggest confidently.
“Nope, you’re not there. We haven’t even worked on your motion yet.”