Page 152 of The Price of Scandal

“We need time to discuss this,” one of the directors began.

“You have five minutes,” Emily said.

I was so turned on I was afraid I was going to embarrass myself with a boardroom hard-on.

She glanced over her shoulder at me, and my heart fell out of my chest into my guts. This was love. Whether it was being in her corner and watching proudly as she kicked ass or fighting a battle for her.

“I have one more condition,” Emily announced while the board was still reeling.

“What’s that?” Imani asked.

“Lita Smith will never again hold a position in this company. Not even at the drugstore makeup counter level.”

* * *

“So this iswhat it feels like to not be a billionaire,” Emily sighed, linking her arm through mine as we exited the conference room, leaving chaos behind us. Her attorney Jenny was doling out paperwork and pens and snapping orders.

“Do I still have a job, or is this volunteer work now, boss?” Jane asked from behind us.

Emily raised an eyebrow over her shoulder. “I think seven hundred million will still support your salary.”

She’d blackmailed her own board into a buyout. A very attractive one. I was going to marry this woman, I decided. I just wasn’t sure how to con her into it.

“Can I have a raise? And a drink?” Jane asked.

“After this, we’re going for brunch,” Emily decided. “A booze brunch. They didn’t ask for my corporate card back yet, so it will be a farewell gift from Flawless.”

We stopped outside Emily’s office. Valerie and Easton rose as one.

Emily grinned. “Today is my last day.”

Their faces showed varying degrees of shock, confusion, concern.

“Are you shitting me?” Easton demanded.

“I’m afraid I’m not shitting you. The board bought me out, and the company will be under new leadership. And as soon as you two pack up all my things, you can take the rest of the day and the corporate card and go for drinks. Lots of drinks. Your jobs are safe. You’re both getting raises and an extra week’s vacation. And the good news is your next boss might be nicer.”

Valerie, teary-eyed, threw her arms around Emily’s neck. “You are my hero.”

“Wind beneath my wings,” Easton piped up.

“Yeah, yeah.” Emily patted them awkwardly on the back. “Pack up. Go drink.”

She turned to face me and rubbed her palms together. “Ready for round two?”

“Please tell me I finally get to use the stun gun?” Jane whined.

I was rather hopeful on that point, too.

“Let’s do this. I could go for an omelet,” I told her.

Grinning, she raised on tiptoe and kissed me hard on the mouth. “Thank you,” she whispered.

When she tried to pull back, I stopped her. “I love you, Emily.”

“I am aware of this.” She grinned.

I squeezed her butt, relieved the requirements of office propriety were dead. “Go kick some more ass, love.”