“Son.” His dad hesitated, his voice eerily calm, and I wished I could see his face. “It’s time for you to start acting like a man.”
I covered my mouth with my hand, and I hated that I was still standing there listening. I should have given them their privacy. I knew that, but I wanted to know more.
If this was the only way that was going to happen, then so be it.
My heart raced as I eavesdropped on their conversation, and I looked up and down the hall. There was no one there to catch me for what I was doing.
No one would know.
“You’re going to be taking over this business soon, and I can’t leave it in your hands if you’re going to be more concerned with holding a grudge than you are with running this place.”
Beck was going to be running this business? I figured that would happen eventually, but I thought he’d be going to some Ivy League college, where he drank far too much beer and hooked up with more girls than I could imagine.
Rich boys didn’t go straight to work out of high school.
There was silence in the room, and I had no idea what was happening. I couldn’t see a damn thing through the crack, and I really didn’t want to get caught. I raised my hand to knock just as Beck’s words rang through the room.
“I will destroy them.”
“And her?”
“Josie Vos is the perfect fucking pawn.”
I stepped back from the door and took a sharp breath as my heart skipped over itself. I didn’t know why I was so shocked by his words. He had been cruel to me since the moment I met him, but last night… Last night nothing changed, and I was a freaking idiot.
I rapped my knuckles on the door, not waiting for either of them to answer. I didn’t care if Mr. Clermont owned this place or this town. I refused to sit out there and listen to another moment of their conversation.
Both of their gazes swung my way. Mr. Clermont was sitting behind his desk, and Beck stood across from him with his hands buried in the back of the leather chair. His dad painted a gentle smile on his face, but Beck wasn’t nearly as practiced. Or he simply didn’t care.
His anger was pure and unadulterated, and I could feel it as if it was a living, breathing thing.
“I brought your dinner.” I stopped at Mr. Clermont’s desk and set it in front of him. I didn’t meet his eyes. Mr. Clermont was a mystery to me.
He seemed so different from the other men in Clermont Bay, but my father seemed different to others as well. But I knew the truth. These men had a lot of experience when it came to their facade.
They were nothing more than snakes hiding in plain sight. At least with Beck, I knew where he stood. At least with him, I knew the danger that laid at my feet.
I knew that he would strike at any moment.
“Thank you, Josie.” His father smiled before his gaze jumped to his son, then back to me. “I hope you’re having a good evening.”
“Yes, sir.” I stepped back, and I avoided looking anywhere near Beck even though I could feel him staring at me.
“How are you liking it here so far?”
I knew he was just making small talk, but I couldn’t stop myself. Beck had just been talking so openly about how much he hated me. He hadn’t cared at all.
“It’s been fine.” I smiled at him. “Some are more welcoming than others.”
Beck scoffed under his breath, but I still didn’t look at him. That was exactly what he wanted.
And I refused to give him anything that he wanted anymore.
If he wanted me as his enemy, that was fine. I could play that part perfectly.
If that’s who he wanted to make me, that was exactly who I would become.
“Has my son here been one of those unwelcoming people?” He chuckled, but I could see the tension around his dark eyes. Eyes that matched his son’s.
I should have said yes. I should have told him that his son was a complete and total asshole, but I didn’t. That was what Beck expected me to do, and I was tired of being what people expected.
“No.” I shook my head. “Your son has been so nice.” I still didn’t look at him, but I knew he was looking at me. He always seemed to be looking at me.
“My son?” He chuckled again, and this time it sounded genuine. He didn’t expect my response either.
“Yes, sir.” I smiled. “Tonight is mine and Allie’s trash night, and he offered to help.”
Beck made a sound that made it clear that there was no way in hell as his father looked back and forth between the two of us.
“I know what you’re thinking.” I pushed my hands into my apron pockets to stop myself from fidgeting, and I finally stared at Beck. He looked so handsome, even just standing here in his father’s office wearing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans. “I was a bit shocked, too, when his highness offered to help, but apparently he’s willing to get his hands dirty.”
So was I.
I didn’t say it out loud, but I hoped he saw it in my eyes. He was staring me down, still angry, but I didn’t care. I could handle his anger.
His dad laughed, a full-on belly laugh, and I pulled my attention from Beck long enough to look at him. He was probably about to fire me for insulting his son, but I suddenly didn’t care.
“His highness.” He laughed again, and I tensed. Did I really just say that out loud? “Well, please don’t let me get in your way.” He motioned toward the door. “Beck, it seems like you have some trash duty to attend to.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Beck pushed away from the chair, and I swallowed hard as he
