Bastard Boss

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Bella

We close the deal for Dash with a huge payday and everything my brother told me he wants in the contract.

The minute the studio head walks out of the conference room Tyler and I break out in a shared smile. "Call Dash," he says. "Then we're going to open a bottle of champagne. You just made all of us a huge payday, and turned your brother into one of the few writers who are as big as he's about to become."

"I know," I say, excitement bubbling inside me. "We closed the deal, Tyler. We did it."

"No, baby," he corrects. "You did this. I did nothing but come along for the ride because you knew when to use me."

Like we're using each other, I think, but firmly chide myself for going there.

"Call Dash, woman. He has to be on pins and needles."

"If I call Dash, he's going to want to celebrate. And I'll have to tell him I'm not coming home until Monday. He'll know I'm here with you."

"Tell him you have another deal you're working on."

"I'm with you. He's not stupid. He'll put two and two together."

"You're a grown adult, Bella. And he only knows what either of us tells him."

"And what will you say when he asks about us? Because I can tell from my conversations with him, he will."

"That you kicked ass and took names." He grabs the hotel phone. "I'm ordering us champagne."

I exhale and I dial Dash. I have to tell him the good news. That's just a must. "It's done," I say when he answers. "All of it. You got everything you wanted and a whole lot more money. Twenty-five percent more upfront and on the back end."

He whistles. "Damn, little sis. You are such a badass."

"You're the badass. You're the only reason any of this is happening. I'm so happy for you, Dash. And also, plan your wedding!"

"We're already talking about October in Aspen, right when the leaves change. What do you think?

"I think it's perfect."

"Waffle day to celebrate? I'll get the champagne."

"I'm not coming back until Monday after a meeting," I say, promising myself I'll try to find a meeting so I'm not lying. I add a real truth to make myself feel better. "I prefer to wrap up more than one thing when I'm here, so I don't have to come often."

He's silent a moment. "Is Tyler with you?"

"He is," I confess quickly, trying not to make a big deal out of it. "He was a big help in the meeting. You should probably call him when you get a chance."

"Is he there now?"

"Yes. We're still in the hotel conference room. I couldn't wait to call you."

"Let me talk to him, Bella."

"Okay," I say, but it's not okay. Dash is going to say something personal, something about me. Tyler is now sitting on the table beside me. Lips pressed together, I offer the phone to him, a warning in my eyes.

He touches my face and mouths, "I got this," and places the phone to his ear. "Congrats, man. You are the man. The Hollywood man, now. This is solid. It's not going to fall apart like last time."

He listens a moment. "Yeah, well, I played bad cop to Bella's good cop, because she had the foresight to see that as necessary. But she barely needed me." He listens another moment and pushes off the table. "It's not our first rodeo. We've worked together for years, often one-on-one. Why are you coming at me now?"

My heart starts to race, and I push to my feet and away from the table, motioning for Tyler to hand me the phone. He waves me off. "I'm aware of what she means to you," he says, continuing his chat with my brother. "I happen to value her as an employee." His jaw tics. "Don't go there, man." He listens a minute and then hands me the phone. "He hung up."

"What did he say to you?" I ask.

"Not to fuck his sister." He scrubs a rough hand over his jaw and unbuttons his jacket, settling his hands on his hips. "Let's go get that champagne."

"He brought up Allison, didn't he?"

"He did, but I can't blame him. If you were my sister, I'd do the same. Seriously, baby, let's go get that champagne. We need to celebrate."

I step in front of him and press my hands to his waist. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm the one who crossed about ten lines with you, Bella." His hand settles on my side. "Don't resign when we get back. I will not be the reason you walk away from all you've worked for. I'd already planned to talk to you about becoming a partner if you made this deal happen. And before you say anything, I hired you. Your success is a sense of pride for me."

"You want me to be partner?" I ask, and I can't help it, I'm fearful this has something to do with us—this weekend—not me.

"What did I just see in your eyes, Bella?" He grimaces and doesn't wait for my reply, his hand moving to my lower back and molding me closer. "Damn it, don't go there. Don't think this opportunity is about this—about us—when you worked for it. I can show you the paperwork I drew up before I ever touched you."

"I don't even have a secretary, but you're offering me partner?"

"I approved one six months ago, Bella."

My brows dip. "Was it that long ago?"

"Yes. I'll hire one for you if that's what it takes to make you feel appreciated. I just thought you'd want to pick the person."

"I do. I mean...partner is big."

"Yeah. So is this deal you just made happen. Anyone else who achieved what you have would be partner. And not many achieved what you have, Bella. You get that, right?"

"I've worked hard. You're right. I deserve this. I'm happy."

"Good. Can we go celebrate now? Champagne in the room and then I'll take you to dinner."

"I don't think that's a good idea. We might be seen and—"

He kisses me hard and fast, but thoroughly, and says, "I want to say I don't give two fucks, but you just questioned your success over us. I'm not going to let anyone else do the same. We'll order in. And go to a dark movie, if you want. I'll even see a chick flick for you."

"Okay, now you're talking. You had me at chick flick, but we can watch something else. But—" I hold up a finger. "We have all weekend. We're watching Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts at some point in the room."

"Black Adam wins for tonight. Pretty Woman tomorrow night."

I smile and we both grab our things to head to the room. And it almost, almost, feels like we're a couple.