Page 106 of Discretion

“Realistically, what kind of action could the board take?”

“They could put you under review. Ask for your resignation. With regards to Halle, they could demote her, put her on leave without pay, demand her resignation.”

I gulped, the consequences suddenly feeling that much more real. “Do you think they’d do that? Halle’s good at her job.”

“You know how these things go. It’s all about politics andperception. Which is why you need your family on your side more than ever.”

I winced, and Pierce massaged his temples. “I take it you haven’t told any of them?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

“What are you waiting for?” he pushed.

“I would, but she’s opposed.”

“I don’t know about you, but that feels like a red flag to me.”

Red flag. The fuck?

I tried not to overreact, but Jesus.

“I understand her reasons,” I gritted out. Even if I didn’t like them.

“Right. But surely you can see how that makes you more vulnerable, legally speaking. Because if you go to the board, that puts her on record for saying the relationship is consensual. And if that’s the case, it can undercut any potential claims to the contrary that might later…arise.”

“Pierce,” I warned.

I understood it was his job to protect me and my family, which included the company by extension, but I didn’t appreciate the way he was talking about Halle. Questioning her motives. Doubting our future together.

He lifted his hands as if in surrender. “Look, I know that no one wants to think about a relationship ending while they’re in the throes of it. But you have to.”

He might be right, but I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to think about things ending with Halle. The idea of not having her—or Kai—in my life was too painful.

“You saw the fallout from Nate’s divorce. It was bad enough that Trinity was his wife. Can you imagine how much worse it would’ve been if she’d also been his employee?”

I shuddered. Trinity was a manipulative, toxic womanwho only cared about herself. I hated what she’d done to Nate. To Brooklyn. And I was glad Trinity was no longer able to poison their lives with her bullshit.

“First of all, H—” I swallowed, smoothing down my tie. I was still unwilling to admit that it was Halle. “She is nothing like Trinity. And I’m not a celebrity like Nate.” I hadn’t won Sexiest Man Alive or a Golden Globe. “The paparazzi don’t hound my every move.”

“No, but you are worth billions.”

“She’s not?—”

He held up a hand. “When Trinity and Nate fell in love, do you think he would’ve ever believed the level of destruction she was capable of?”

Point taken.

“And you’re not a celebrity, no. But your family has notoriety, and you’ve had a lot of press since taking over as CEO. Even if you hadn’t, don’t you think a story like this—CEO and his employee—would garner some attention?” He arched a brow as if in challenge.

“I should’ve talked to Knox,” I muttered. At least Knox tempered his advice with compassion. With Pierce, the hits just kept coming.

“You asked my advice, and I’m giving it. You need to find a way to assure the board that it’s not a conflict of interest. And they’re going to care more about how it reflects upon the company—to employees, the industry, and our guests.”

Right. So, no big deal, then.

“Let me ask you something,” Pierce said. “Take away the fact that you’re the CEO and she’s your employee. If you were just a regular couple in love, do you think she’d still insist on keeping your relationship secret?”

She wouldn’t. Would she?