Page 7 of Bad Boss
She thinks she has me deciphered, but the golden rule of business is to always stay one step ahead. However, there are some things about my family that even Evelyn King isn’t privy to learning.
“Enough about Evelyn.” Fixing Gloria with a stare, I launch into the most pressing issue. “I’m sure you’ll be pleased to learn thathecontacted me this morning.”
“W-Who?” She coughs and snatches up the glass of water I served her. After two sips, her eyes begin to stream, and she sputters even more. It must have gone down the wrong pipe.
Good. I’ve caught her off guard.
“Your son. I know you’ve been sending him money,” I add, springing my trap.
“D-Darling—”
“Correction—I know thatEvelynhas been sending you money that you’ve been sending tohim.”
“Graeme.” She swallows hard, and her hand flies to her throat to clutch the pearls strung there. They aren’t genuine, as she was forced to sell the real heirloom by “drastic circumstances after being left by your bastard father and forced to raise three children alone.” To hear her tell it, she wore the fake ones supposedly as a reminder to herself of her strength in the face of adversity. In reality, she wore them solely for appearance’s sake and was too damn frugal to buy a new pair.
“Graeme, darling, I…” Her eyes lock with mine. With a heavy sigh, she drops the startled act and rolls her eyes at the ceiling. “Did Evie tell you?” she demands, her tone wary.
Her fingers drift toward the handle of her teacup.Thisis the mother I know—a woman who wouldn’t hesitate to hurl the porcelain tea service across the room should things not go her way.
Regarding her question, I frown. “You know damn well that she wouldn’t. And why would she? It’s been two years since she started funneling money to you—” In addition to what I set aside for her daily expenses at that. “Did you think I wasn’t aware?”
“Well, you haven’t complained until now, darling,” she grouses while clawing at a menu. “Iamyour mummy, after all—”
“Back then, I didn’t really give a damn,” I admit. “It was only whenyourson had the gall to contact me for more that I decided to put an end to your little game.”
“Oh. That.” My mother pales, straightening in her seat. She’s twisting that damn string of pearls around her neck so tightly I half expect her to asphyxiate before the end of this blasted luncheon.Thatwould certainly save me the hassle of cutting her off. “Graeme… darling. He is your brother.”
“I’m not convinced of that,” I say, crossing my arms. The rude gesture draws attention to our table—something Gloria can’t stand.
“Graeme.” She forces a strained smile and races to pour herself another cup of tea from the kettle. “Here, darling. Just have a cuppa—”
“In fact, I’m still unsure of whether or not I really am your son,” I declare over her. “Some days I wonder if you snatched me from some other woman’s pram just to keep my bastard ‘father’ tethered to you for a few years longer—”
“Graeme, darling, he was going to beevicted,” she says in a hushed whisper. After a quick glance around to ensure no other patron is within earshot, she leans across the table. “Do you really want to see him on the street?”
I meet her imploring stare without hesitation. “Perhaps.”
“Graeme!” Gloria gasps and raises a hand to shield her partially-opened mouth as if I’ve committed sacrilege.
“Maybe then he might decide to stop taking the piss out of me and make something of himself.”
“Language, Graeme! You make him sound so awful,” Mother admonishes with a pout. But we both know my assessment is on the polite side of the truth. “You used to be so close. As thick as thieves. Remember when you used to run around with that other little boy, one of the nanny’s, remember? Aiden, I think his name was—”
“It wasn’t,” I snap without correcting her.
“You two were so competitive, always seeing who was the fastest, the strongest, who could make the most friends. You’d always work yourself into a tizzy over it.”
“I don’t remember,” I insist. The last thing I need is for her to reconnect with Adrian Riley. She might decide to hand him even more of my money next. Or perhaps she’ll conspire to give the bastard Evelyn King on a silver platter. I saw the way he looked at her. Hell, I wouldn’t put it past him to hunt her down on her supposed day off, eager to seduce her for his own ends.
Luckily, a few minor facts bar said fantasy from becoming reality. For one, Evelyn isn’t the sort to fall for superficial compliments,butif the bastard offered to let her organize his wardrobe by shape and color instead?
Only God knew what she might do.
“Graeme, are you alright?” Gloria is staring. I have my hands curled into fists, my teeth gritted.
“Besides,” she continues, “Evie sends the money tome,and you haven’t had a problem with it until now. I don’t see what’s the fuss if I happen to loan a family member a few pounds—”
“You know that son of yours?” I start coldly. “The one you love so much. The one who stole everything from the family home that wasn’t nailed down? The one whose bastard chav mate got Stella up the duff before running back into whatever corner of London he’d crawled out of? The one who can’t even be arsed to ring you on your birthday, but certainly never forgets the day his rent is due—”