“So, his employees get screwed all because you want revenge?”
“No,” I say, getting more serious. “I don’t believe in collateral damage. Which is why I called you in today.”
I’m not just saying that to win her back. If anyone is familiar with the rippling effects of catastrophe, it’s me. Just because Edwan Holt is a pathetic excuse for a human being, doesn’t mean others tied to him in some way should have to suffer.
Sloane studies me carefully before responding, as though she doesn’t quite believe me. Then she seems to come to some internal decision and reaches in her briefcase to pull out a yellow legal pad and a pen. I smile, admiring how perfectly old school it is in this digital age.
“What is it you’d like to do?” She asks, with her pen ready.
“Some kind of employee-owned, profit-sharing enterprise. I plan on being a minority shareholder from the start; the rest will be divided among current employees based on longevity.”
“Not seniority?”
“Edwan was in charge long enough for me not to trust his judgment when it comes to who moved up the corporate ladder.”
Sloane’s brow rises, I assume in agreement with that assessment. She lowers her eyes to write something on the pad.
“I also prefer to reward loyalty.”
The way I say it has her eyes rising to meet mine. I make sure, once again, that the expression on my face and the look in my eyes imparts that message directly to her.
“Well, I’m sure the employees of Holt Cloth & Fabric will very much appreciate it. You’ll find your loyalty there.”
So we’re back to sparring then.
I smile and lean back in my chair to continue.
“I’ll want a gradual reduction in ownership until the company is completely employee-owned. Eighteen months.”
“That’s…generous.”
“As I said, my eventual plan is to own nothing. Just in case anyone is wondering.”
She pauses again, taking a moment before looking at me. “I never planned on telling Jan or Gabriel about that, just so you know.”
Now, it’s my turn to stare at her. That stirring in me begins again, something hot and fierce, yet emotionally soothing. The thought that she might betray me to either of them never crossed my mind. The fact that I was so certain of it only speaks to how perfect a partner she’d be for me.
Now, more than ever, I’ve got to keep her here in Monte Carlo.
“The Gala de la Croix Rouge will be held this Saturday.”
“Pardon?” She asks, blinking her eyes at the sudden shift in conversation.
“The Red Cross Ball at the Hotel de Paris. It’s the highlight of the summer in Monaco. The prince and princess of Monaco will be there. I’d like you to accompany me as my guest, not as an employee.”
“Does that mean I get to say no?”
“Yes,” I say after a beat. “But I’m hoping you won’t.”
Sloane’s mouth twists. “Should I expect the night to end with you literally throwing your grandmother under the bus?”
“Both of my grandmothers are already dead.”
Her face contorts with horror. “Oh, my god. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It was stupid of me. It’s not even the same thing as what happened last night, I just—”
“Say yes,” I interrupt in an easy tone. I add a hint of a grin. “All will be forgiven.”
Her mouth snaps shut, and her gaze cools as she assesses me. “In which case, I’ll think about it.”
“It is for charity.”
“Which I’m sure is why you purchased the tickets,” she replies in a sardonic tone.
“Actually, my aunt will be there, accompanying me. It’s one of the few luxuries she allows me to spoil her with. I’d like her to meet you.”
Sloane swallows hard as she stares at me with wide eyes. I phrased it in such a way to get her attention. Rather than saying I wanted her to meet my aunt, which could have any implication, I expressly stated that I wanted my aunt to meet her, as though she’s the prize worth showing off.
Which she very much is.
“I…” She seems to stumble over her thoughts before straightening up to her usual regal confidence. “Like I said, I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll need to know as soon as possible.”
She just gives one curt nod in response. “Will there be anything else? With regard to the Holt Cloth & Fabric case?”
I smile with amusement and shake my head no.
“Very well, then. I’ll get started on the purchase agreements and profit-sharing scheme.”
She rises and walks out of my office as stately as the queen that she is. I watch her go with admiration, already knowing she’s going to accompany me to that ball.
When she’s gone, I pull out my phone to deal with any calls that I had sent directly to voicemail.
One rises to the top. The one I know I have to deal with first.
Chapter Forty-Eight Magnus
“I can’t believe how ashamed I am of you right now, Magnus,” Mona says in a voice that is surprisingly animated. Usually, she is the softer voice of reason, molding behavior with a velvet glove rather than an iron fist.
“I take it Estelle told you about last night.”
“She didn’t have to. I woke up to the sound of her crying as she came to visit afterward, completely humiliated and broken.”
I steel my emotions against how I feel about that, especially coming from Mona. I’m used to Estelle using the sympathy card to get her way with me. Mona is a more difficult contender to do battle with.
“I’m sure she’ll get over it when this Giorgio moves on, and she finds a new boy to play with.”
There’s a pause on the other end. “You don’t even see it, do you, Magnus.”
“See what.”
“How you’re losing her. Pretty soon, not even the money will be enough to salvage what you two once had. Once upon a time, she idolized you. When you two first came to me, she wouldn’t even talk unless she was holding your hand. Now, the only words she
