Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
The reporter spoke into her microphone. “Our cameras are on the ground in front of Licht Holdings as CEO Theodore Licht and his son Madison are being hauled away in handcuffs by DOJ Special Agents from the Fraud section. Our sources in the Department of Justice indicate that the Licht duo have been arrested on corporate fraud charges. With Licht Holdings’s chances of ever working with a governmental body gone, who will take their place? More details coming to you tonight.”
Hettie muted the television, turning to me. “Oh. My. God.”
I sucked in a breath. I knew what this meant. And contrary to what she might have thought, it wasn’t good. Over the course of my stay in Potomac, I’d realized the sheer level of pettiness Madison exuded. He needed to have the last word. No way would this be the end.
A cornered Madison was a dangerous one. In fact, on our flight from Chapel Falls, Romeo mentioned his Christmas encounter with him.
My hands darted to my phone. With unstable fingers, I speed-dialed Romeo.
He answered on the first ring. “Shortbread?”
Hettie cleared the room, giving me space.
“I saw the news.”
“You don’t sound happy.”
“I’m not. I’m worried.” I began pacing, gnawing on the tips of my hair. “It’s a corporate fraud charge. He’ll be out on bail in no time. We have to deal with him roaming the streets until the trial concludes. That could take years, Romeo.”
“I hired a full security detail. Starting tomorrow, when you leave the house, a trained martial artist will follow you. Promise me you’ll let him.”
“I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be. Costa Industries is the safest building in Arlington County.”
“The Pentagon is in Arlington County,” I pointed out.
“I said what I said.” I could hear the smile in his voice, but I couldn’t find it in me to match his amusement.
I stopped pacing. My lips parted. Three words weighed down the tip of my tongue. I wanted to release them. To launch them into the universe. To hear him say them back. I didn’t. It felt foolish to confess it now—over the phone, on the heels of Madison’s arrest.
I swallowed the words.
Unaware of how much I’d come to regret it.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Romeo
For the first time in more than a decade, I existed beside my father without wanting to punch him in the face. After all, I needed his mouth functioning for the announcement he planned on making in—I checked my Rolex—the next eighteen minutes.
We sat before the entire board and major stockholders during Costa Industries’ annual shareholders meeting. It couldn’t have come at a better time. We’d collectively spent the first thirty minutes gloating over Licht Holdings’s downfall, this morning’s leaked mugshot of Madison and his father blown up on the projector screen behind me.
Things had fallen into place. And soon, after the short recess, Senior would officially announce his retirement and nominate me to take his position. In the corner, Bruce sulked, clenching a complimentary breadstick in his fist.
It was a pity I derived no triumph, no pleasure, from knowing I would soon be announced as the CEO of Costa Industries. I didn’t actually want the position. Only for as long as it took to destroy the company. As for Bruce, he’d never sparked genuine conflict in me. I knew as soon as I pushed him out of my path, he’d be unmemorable and insignificant, despite his lingering sour presence. Kind of like a fart. But one on a fat payroll.
I checked my group chat when a message buzzed in from von Bismarck.
Ollie vB: How much do you guys wanna bet the local prison population also finds Madison Licht’s face punchable?
Romeo Costa: I would honestly rather they find it fuckable.
Zach Sun: Never mind that. What’s happening with the CEO position, Rom?
Romeo Costa: It’s mine. Any minute now. Licht Holdings is out of the game. Bruce is eating his emotions. While I was pulling extra hours, he was pulling the new receptionist. Barely twenty-two years of age. Senior didn’t like it. Neither did her husband, who is threatening to pen a tell-all.
Zach Sun: I’m proud of you.
Zach Sun: (Pretend I care enough to mean what I just said.)
Ollie vB: Don’t mind him. I’M proud of you. Your dedication to ruining others can only be paralleled with that of Stefano DiMera.
Zach Sun: I am unfamiliar with this name. Politician? Historical figure?
Ollie vB: Days of Our Lives character. Super villain. Makes Billy the Kid look like a kitten.
Romeo Costa: One question, @OllievB—why?
Ollie vB: You forget my life consists of breathing and getting paid for it. Daytime TV was all I had going for me before streaming networks got into the game.
I frowned at the text box on my phone, losing both the thread of conversation and my patience.
Ollie vB: Don’t slam it before you try it. That time when Marlena was possessed by the devil was wild. The exorcism scene is some of the best TV I’ve ever seen.