Page 10 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

“Papa, it’s for the best. He and his family are right to be angry.Someone—” I raise the other eyebrow. “—disclosed that confidential information. Stop while we’re still ahead. I’ll email him and let him know we’ll accept the new terms.”

“This is on you, Anne. This is your account. If anything goes wrong, I’ll only be looking at you.”

My father turns away and walks to the door, but before he can leave, I have more to say.

“Don’t set me up to fail again, Papa.”

He looks over his shoulder at me, his expression harsh. Mine now matches his.

“You didn’t fail, Anne. You won. Make sure Jorge understands that.”

He walks out, shutting the door behind him. He has a fucked-up way of thinking of victory. He nearly destroyed the deal, tests me to see if I’ll stand up to him, then considers getting the deal regardless of the lower commission a win.

I suppose today the glass is half full.

Dear Mr. Diaz,

Normally, we wouldn’t accept such reduced terms. However, we acknowledge we’re responsible for the precipitating events. We accept your proposal and look forward to working with you. My assistant will forward the required documents for your review and signature.

Respectfully,

Anneliese

There.

Nothing to misinterpret about that.

I reach for the phone to tell Johan to send the email I requested he prepare as soon as my father left my office. I could see him working on it through my office’s glass wall. Before I can hit the intercom button, a new email appears in my inbox.

That was way too fast.

Dear Ms. Schlossberg,

Your response pleases me. I believe you’re making headway with this deal. I’m prepared to deliver on my promise now that we’ve handled that part of our business. Shall I come to you? I can be in your office tomorrow morning.

Sincerely Yours,

J

An email shouldn’t affect my pussy, but it does.

Fuck me.

Like,please, fuck me.

As though the email itself wasn’t grossly informal at best, he signed it with just an initial. That feels—intimate. I’m in a committed relationship and live with my boyfriend. Nothing should be intimate between me and another man. I shouldn’t have any thoughts about another man fucking me. The image of him undressing me and fucking me against a wall is more intense than the part of me that remembers I’ve always been faithful in relationships.

I refuse to reply right now. Instead, I buzz Johan and tell him to send everything to Jorge. I barely catch myself and remember to call himHerrDiaz. German business culture has relaxed over the past few decades, but we’re still German. Punctuality, professional appearance, hierarchy, and honorifics still matter in many workplaces. They certainly do here. I can’t imagine a single employee calling my father Gunter to his face. I address him asVater—Father—when we’re in public. Never Papa. I doubt he’d respond if I did.

I wait until it’s time for me to leave, then I send my email.

Dear Mr. Diaz,

I have meetings all morning, but I am available between 13:00 and 15:00. Please let me know what works best for you.

Respectfully Yours,

Hmmm.