Amber set down her half-eaten slice of pizza, regret enveloping her. “It was great. He was funny, romantic, totally into me.” She swiped back her hair. “At least he seemed totally into me. Too bad he was faking the whole thing.” Every time she thought about their night together, the humiliation returned. “I’m not sure I can face him again.”
“I could talk to Luca instead. He might give me something we can use.”
“Did you sleep with Luca?”
“Almost. He tried pretty hard.”
Amber held up her glass in a toast. “You’re a stronger woman than me. And you’ve still got that as leverage.”
“I’d have said yes eventually.”
“But you won’t anymore, right?”
“I won’t anymore,” said Destiny. “Well, unless I think it’ll make him talk. Then, well, okay, I’d be willing to take one for the team.”
Eight
“I know she’s here,” Cole said to Luca as he pulled open the steel door of the Coast Eagle hangar. “And she’ll have to be polite.”
He knew Amber wouldn’t dare step out of line at the Coast Eagle children’s Christmas party. She’d have to listen to him.
He walked inside.
Carols chimed from unseen speakers, while soap bubbles drifted around them like snow. White lights and colored balls domed over the ceiling, swooping down in swirls and shapes to meet the concrete floor, which was covered in artificial snow.
There was a giant Christmas tree in the center of the hangar and a forest full of lighted trees and friendly elves. A cookie-decorating station took up one big corner of the room. Another group of elves painted Christmas shapes on the children’s faces. And, of course, Santa was in his castle, posing for pictures and handing out presents.
The festive scene jarred with the frustration swirling inside Cole’s head. In the three days since the hearing, a group of lawyers had poured over Samuel’s will. This morning, they’d all agreed that Cole was a beneficiary, entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.
Cole didn’t want an inheritance. When he’d come forward and announced himself, he hadn’t the slightest inkling he’d be included in the will. He wasn’t here to take anything away from Zachary. Still, he’d use the position if it gave them leverage.
“There she is,” said Luca. “Beside the Christmas-tree forest.”
Cole spotted her. As always, he was immediately struck by her beauty. She wore a bright red dress with white piping. It clung to her slender curves.
He was here to talk. But talking was far down on his wish list. For starters, he wanted to haul her off somewhere and kiss her senseless.
“Mr. Henderson,” Sidney Raines greeted him cheerfully, shaking his hand. “I heard the estate was settled this morning in your favor.”
“Call me Cole. It’s nice to see you again, Sidney.”
Of all the vice presidents, Sidney was easily the more savvy and most reasonable. Cole also liked Max. He was less impressed with Julius, and he was prepared to fight long and hard against Roth.