The Price Of Scandal(104)

“The SEC won’t approve the IPO if you are at the helm,” the carefully coiffed app developer executive said, tapping her manicured nail on the conference table in a staccato beat.

“I am aware,” Emily said with a humorless smile.

“There’s no need to make this ugly, slugger,” Byron boomed over the rumble of confusion.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Emily said. “That’s why I’m making a counteroffer.”

I stood with Jane, each of us flanking the conference room door, and watched badass Emily Stanton eviscerate the board of directors that had turned against her.

“This is how it’s going to go…”

She laid it out for them, and I had the pleasure of watching pasty complexions go ruddy. She had them by the balls, and I couldn’t be prouder.

“That is a very big ask,” one of the directors said, mopping his forehead and the back of his neck with a handkerchief.

“I’m not asking,” Emily said.

“I’m straight, but she’s never been more attractive to me than she is right now,” Jane whispered.

“Same boat,” I agreed under my breath.

She was magnificent, and I couldn’t wait to get her home and say just that as I kissed every inch of her body.

“If you want that IPO, and I know you do, this is the only way you’ll get it.”

“We need time to discuss this,” one of the directors began.

“You have five minutes,” Emily said.

I was so turned on I was afraid I was going to embarrass myself with a boardroom hard-on.

She glanced over her shoulder at me, and my heart fell out of my chest into my guts. This was love. Whether it was being in her corner and watching proudly as she kicked ass or fighting a battle for her.

“I have one more condition,” Emily announced while the board was still reeling.

“What’s that?” Imani asked.

“Lita Smith will never again hold a position in this company. Not even at the drugstore makeup counter level.”





“So this is what it feels like to not be a billionaire,” Emily sighed, linking her arm through mine as we exited the conference room, leaving chaos behind us. Her attorney Jenny was doling out paperwork and pens and snapping orders.

“Do I still have a job, or is this volunteer work now, boss?” Jane asked from behind us.

Emily raised an eyebrow over her shoulder. “I think seven hundred million will still support your salary.”

She’d blackmailed her own board into a buyout. A very attractive one. I was going to marry this woman, I decided. I just wasn’t sure how to con her into it.

“Can I have a raise? And a drink?” Jane asked.

“After this, we’re going for brunch,” Emily decided. “A booze brunch. They didn’t ask for my corporate card back yet, so it will be a farewell gift from Flawless.”

We stopped outside Emily’s office. Valerie and Easton rose as one.

Emily grinned. “Today is my last day.”

Their faces showed varying degrees of shock, confusion, concern.

“Are you shitting me?” Easton demanded.

“I’m afraid I’m not shitting you. The board bought me out, and the company will be under new leadership. And as soon as you two pack up all my things, you can take the rest of the day and the corporate card and go for drinks. Lots of drinks. Your jobs are safe. You’re both getting raises and an extra week’s vacation. And the good news is your next boss might be nicer.”

Valerie, teary-eyed, threw her arms around Emily’s neck. “You are my hero.”

“Wind beneath my wings,” Easton piped up.

“Yeah, yeah.” Emily patted them awkwardly on the back. “Pack up. Go drink.”

She turned to face me and rubbed her palms together. “Ready for round two?”

“Please tell me I finally get to use the stun gun?” Jane whined.

I was rather hopeful on that point, too.

“Let’s do this. I could go for an omelet,” I told her.

Grinning, she raised on tiptoe and kissed me hard on the mouth. “Thank you,” she whispered.

When she tried to pull back, I stopped her. “I love you, Emily.”

“I am aware of this.” She grinned.

I squeezed her butt, relieved the requirements of office propriety were dead. “Go kick some more ass, love.”

“Go make us reservations,” she said with a wink.





49





Emily





I propped my feet up on the desk and admired the aggressive point of my shoes. I’d probably be spending more time in Nike than Prada in the future. Or completely naked if Derek had a vote.

A lot of things would be different. And the only thing standing between me and that wide-open future was walking in the door in Givenchy couture. The kind of dress you’d want to be photographed in when you were named CEO.

Lita stopped short when she spotted me behind her desk but recovered quickly.

“Emily? What are you doing here?” she asked, pulling off her oversized sunglasses and scanning the room.

“I’m just here to congratulate my very best friend on her new promotion,” I said. “CEO. Are you sure you’re ready for it?”