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- Chapter Sixteen -

Bach

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Ihad to talk to Amina.

That was my sole, all-consuming thought as I surfaced in the pool. But as I swam to the ladder, I noticed someone was here, waiting and ready to slow me down. “Violet,” I said, climbing out of the pool. “I’m guessing you’re here to find out the names of everyone who contacted me last night because of our new star. It’ll take me a bit to send you the list, but what a problem to have, huh?”

She was standing by the towels. I held out my hand, but she didn't pass one to me.

“What the hell were you thinking?” she asked.

I screwed up my face. “About?”

“You swore you'd put this company first, Bach!”

Ah, shit.“Violet, let me explain.”

Her eyes shot to the ceiling, as if looking at me was too difficult. “I knew I shouldn't have let you go off alone with her. You're so predictable! Twodays,Bach! That was all you managed before you went and fucked her!”

Heat slid into my guts, then through my muscles. I clenched a fist; water dribbled from it to the floor. “Listen.”

“You're going to tell me that this won't mess up our plans, hmm? Does she think she'll get special treatment because your dick was in her? Or does she know your go-to method is to pump and dump the girls you—”

“Violet!” I roared, burying my fingers in my own hair. “Jesus, fuck! Listen to me for one second! Amina isn't like the other times because... because she just isn't.” My voice became soft and serious. “This isn't what you think.”

“Then what was it?”

I hesitated, not sure I could put my thoughts into words. “I promise this won't interfere with our plans. I can separate business from pleasure.”

Violet crossed her arms tight over her chest. I waited for her to argue, because it's what she would normally do. Instead, she ripped a towel from the rack and threw it at me. “Keep your promisethistime. Okay?”

It was a relief to smile again. “Okay.”

“Sleeping with your starlet is not a good look,” she reminded me. “We need new blood at this company, and if they think they're expected to screw you...”