My Dark Romeo: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance(128)
A cornered Madison was a dangerous one. In fact, on our flight from Chapel Falls, Romeo mentioned his Christmas encounter with him.
My hands darted to my phone. With unstable fingers, I speed-dialed Romeo.
He answered on the first ring. “Shortbread?”
Hettie cleared the room, giving me space.
“I saw the news.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
“I’m not. I’m worried.” I began pacing, gnawing on the tips of my hair. “It’s a corporate fraud charge. He’ll be out on bail in no time. We have to deal with him roaming the streets until the trial concludes. That could take years, Romeo.”
“I hired a full security detail. Starting tomorrow, when you leave the house, a trained martial artist will follow you. Promise me you’ll let him.”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be. Costa Industries is the safest building in Arlington County.”
“The Pentagon is in Arlington County,” I pointed out.
“I said what I said.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I couldn’t find it in me to match his amusement.
I stopped pacing.
My lips parted.
Three words weighed down the tip of my tongue.
I wanted to release them. To launch them into the universe. To hear him say them back.
I didn’t.
It felt foolish to confess it now—over the phone, on the heels of Madison’s arrest.
I swallowed the words.
Unaware of how much I’d come to regret it.
For the first time in more than a decade, I existed beside my father without wanting to punch him in the face.
After all, I needed his mouth functioning for the announcement he planned on making in—I checked my Rolex—the next eighteen minutes.
We sat before the entire board and major stockholders during Costa Industries’ annual shareholders meeting. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
We’d collectively spent the first thirty minutes gloating over Licht Holdings’s downfall, this morning’s leaked mugshot of Madison and his father blown up on the projector screen behind me.
Things had fallen into place. And soon, after the short recess, Senior would officially announce his retirement and nominate me to take his position.
In the corner, Bruce sulked, clenching a complimentary breadstick in his fist.
It was a pity I derived no triumph, no pleasure, from knowing I would soon be announced as the CEO of Costa Industries. I didn’t actually want the position. Only for as long as it took to destroy the company.
As for Bruce, he’d never sparked genuine conflict in me. I knew as soon as I pushed him out of my path, he’d be unmemorable and insignificant, despite his lingering sour presence.
Kind of like a fart. But one on a fat payroll.
I checked my group chat when a message buzzed in from von Bismarck.
Ollie vB
How much do you guys wanna bet the local prison population also finds Madison Licht’s face punchable?
Romeo Costa
I would honestly rather they find it fuckable.
Zach Sun
Never mind that.
What’s happening with the CEO position, Rom?
Romeo Costa
It’s mine.
Any minute now.
Licht Holdings is out of the game.
Bruce is eating his emotions.
While I was pulling extra hours, he was pulling the new receptionist.
Barely twenty-two years of age.
Senior didn’t like it.
Neither did her husband, who is threatening to pen a tell-all.
Zach Sun
I’m proud of you.
(Pretend I care enough to mean what I just said.)
Ollie vB
Don’t mind him.
I’M proud of you.
Your dedication to ruining others can only be paralleled with that of Stefano DiMera.
Zach Sun
I am unfamiliar with this name.
Politician? Historical figure?
Ollie vB
Days of Our Lives character.
Super villain.
Makes Billy the Kid look like a kitten.
Romeo Costa
One question, @OllievB—why?
Ollie vB
You forget my life consists of breathing and getting paid for it.
Daytime TV was all I had going for me before streaming networks got into the game.
I frowned at the text box on my phone, losing both the thread of conversation and my patience.