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“It's solid tech,” Ronan insists. “Rebecca's already reviewed the patents.”
“How is Rebecca?” I ask, remembering his assistant-turned-wife who shook up New York's financial district.
“Running circles around me.” His whole demeanor softens. “Both professionally and as a soon-to-be mother.”
“No shit?” Dominic leans back. “Ronan Kennedy reproduced? There goes the neighborhood.”
“Due in July,” Ronan says, proud as any new father. “She's already planning the kid's investment portfolio.”
“Of course she is.” Caleb shakes his head. “Remember when you swore you'd never get married? Said feelings were for people without portfolios to manage?”
“That was before I met someone worth breaking rules for,” Ronan says simply.
My hand moves to my phone without permission. Iwant to call, to hear her voice, but I don’t want to wake her... I take a larger swallow of scotch than necessary.
“Speaking of breaking rules,” Dominic's eyes glint with mischief. “Word is Bennett's been breaking a few of his own lately. Something about late nights with the Carmichael heiress?”
I fix him with a stare that would send junior associates running. “Gossip, Dominic?”
“Observation,” he counters smoothly. “Jenna mentioned you were unavailable after hours when I wanted to call you during our last Nakamura meeting. That's not the Bennett Mercer I know.”
“Maybe I'm evolving,” I say dryly.
“Or maybe,” Caleb jumps in, the traitor, “someone finally got past that wall of ice you call a heart.”
“This is about Carmichael Innovations?” Ronan asks, interest piqued. “I looked at that deal months ago. Solid tech, but the founder seemed... inflexible.”
“That's one word for Robert Carmichael,” I mutter.
“He’s been…a challenge,” Caleb puts in. “Even more so now that Bennett is sleeping with his daughter.”
“Caleb,” I warn.
“What? Seems it’s common knowledge if Dominic has heard the rumors.” He shrugs, completely unrepentant. “Besides, it's not like you've been subtle. The entire Chicago financial district probably knows.”
“I didn’t exactly ‘know’,” Dominic says, his whiskey halfway to his mouth. “But thank you for the confirmation.”
I shoot Caleb a look, and he just smirks.
“The daughter, huh?” Ronan sets down his glasscarefully. “Layla Carmichael? She's got a solid reputation. MBA from Northwestern, right?”
“Correct.” I take a sip of my drink, feeling somehow protective of any information about Layla.
“How do you even know that?” Dominic asks Ronan.
“I do my research,” Ronan says simply. “She was the only reason I considered the deal as long as I did. Been keeping the company from drowning under Robert’s mistakes for longer than she was COO, from what I heard.”
“Correct again,” I confirm, trying to ignore the pride creeping into my voice. She’s mine, and she’s amazing.
“Holy shit,” Dominic breathes. “Will you look at that—Bennett Mercer has actual feelings. Caleb, mark the date. History has been made.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter, but without heat.
“No, no, this is fascinating,” Dominic continues. “The man who once said relationships were 'inefficient resource allocation' is grinning like he just landed the biggest deal of his life. With a woman whose father's company he's acquiring, no less.”
“It's complicated,” I say.
“Always is,” Ronan nods knowingly. “I tried to keep things professional with Rebecca. Separate business from personal. Nearly lost her in the process.”