Page 30 of Romancing His Heart

“We’re not leaving this room until we discuss this, Loki. Somewhere along the way, Clinton and I failed your parents, and I will not stand for that. Tell me why you feel they didn’t trust you so I can finally set the record straight.”

My eyes sting as I stare at the table. Contemplating my next words, I speak in a voice so low, I wonder if she can even hear me. “Dad worked his entire life building Kane & Co into what it was. When I was little, we talked about how I would work beside him one day, and he’d change the name to Kane & Son. I saw the will, Sylvie. When things got bad with Black, he and Mom changed the terms. They didn’t trust me with his namesake, his legacy. They made sure if they passed, they would sell the company, piece by piece. I never had a chance to take it because I was only fifteen, but I know they thought I would sell out and become like Black. They didn’t want his dirty hands on the company they spent a lifetime building.”

I feel, not so much see, Sylvie sit back in her chair with a heavy sigh. My body is shaking with rage, hurt, and overwhelming sadness. Too many emotions are rolling through my veins that I don’t dare utter another word.

Chapter 10

Sloane

“They’ve been in there a long time,” Preston observes.

One of his brothers, Colton, I think, whines, “I’m fucking starving. What the hell can they be talking about?”

Definitely Colton. Colton’s the goofball. Ashton, the brain, works with Loki. Easton is in Vermont, and Preston has one other brother … Glancing around the room, I find him in the corner. The lone wolf, Halton. He’s a grumpy son of a bitch.

“Maybe someone should go check on them? They probably just lost track of time,” Dex suggests from the other side of the room. I’m busy watching Halton in the corner, so I don’t notice the childish game going on around me until it’s too late.

With the slightest hint of a smile, Halton raises his pointer finger and places it to the side of his nose. It’s such a strange thing to do, but he’s staring right at me, raising his eyebrow and nodding to the side. Following his line of sight, I glance around the room. Every damn person in here has a finger pressed to the side of their noses.

What the hell?

“Not it,” they all say in unison now that I’m aware of their ridiculous ritual.

“Not it? What are we, twelve?” I cross my arms, only to realize I sound like a sullen teenager. “Ugh, fine. I’ll go get them.”

Every man in the room—the Westbrooks, Dex, and Trevor—all stare at me with wide eyes. “What do you think they’re going to do? I’ll just knock on the door and tell them dinner is ready.”

“But, Mom shut the door,” Ashton stage whispers.

“Oh shit,” Dex grumbles.

Making eye contact with Lanie, the only one incapable of lying to me, I silently plead for some direction. Biting her lip, she seems nervous, which causes my heart rate to spike. Finally, she shrugs like she doesn’t know the right answer.

Freaking perfect.

“Jesus,” I grumble, marching toward the hall.

“Don’t curse,” I hear a chorus of male voices say behind me.

Inhaling a deep breath, I take tentative steps once I’m out of view of the peanut gallery. Reaching the room, I pause. Unnaturally nervous, I raise my hand to knock just as Sylvie’s stoic voice filters out from beneath the door.

“Loki, you’re an idiot.”

“What?” he asks, sounding shocked.

Good, me too. I’ve never heard Sylvie speak like that to anyone.

“Let me rephrase. You’re a goddamn idiot.”

“She’s pissed,” Ashton whispers beside me, and I almost scream. “You better give them a few minutes before interrupting.” He moves passed me to enter the restroom.

“You want me to just stand here, eavesdropping?” I hiss.

“It wouldn’t be the first time, right?” He smirks.

Asshole.

Okay, so what? Maybe I’ll just wait for a break in conversation?