Call It Business ( Book 3 of 'Call It' Series )

Chapter 75 | Open-Handed

Investigations in a crowded event had some advantages, and one of them was the relieving fact that Kurt Cohen couldn't probably attempt to hurt anyone.

Yet as the villain disappeared with him into the hall, Macy felt a gentle tug in her arm that caused her to spin around in instinct to face Aiden Cohen's questioning blue eyes.

So, investigations in a crowded event had also some disadvantages that interrupted her from the current mission.

Hiding her frustration behind a smile, Macy pulled herself from his grip and stepped back. "Aiden, hi," she greeted him with faux enthusiasm, flipping the coin, "I didn't know you were here, and if you'll excuse me, I will have to pretend I have no idea for a while because there is something else I should handle first—"

A confused smile almost teased his lips, and he lifted his hand to cut her off, "And does that thing involve calming my dad down because he is currently freaking out that your father will take over his seat?"

Wow, okay, the rumors here were spreading fast, although Macy wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

Through narrowed eyes, she studied Aiden Cohen in an unconscious attempt to figure out if he knew. Yet all she could spot was limited by the similarity of features he shared with his twin sister. Big blue eyes, raven hair, tanned skin; a dazzling, white smile, and sharp features. Both were tall, both were gorgeous just like a certain woman in the pictures Macy couldn't afford to look at more than three seconds for years. Now to think of it, it was quite ridiculous of she couldn't notice the effect of the copy-paste genes on their face.

With a vague shake of her head, she got herself out of the daze and flipped the coin to defeat the sudden uncomfortableness rising in her veins. "I don't know," she mumbled, going for the storyline Jeff had come up with, "No one tells me anything." Her lips twisted before adding some flair to her own acting skills, "Did Gerard say he wanted to work with my dad?"

"No," Aiden replied, the faint amusement entering the gleam of his eyes, "Your dad made every kind of implication that Gerard didn't have to, and Judith claiming that she will stand by every decision he takes didn't exactly help."

Some dark entity had definitely possessed the evil sorceress, and Kurt could possibly only dream about being that concerning— lame man.

Her gaze momentarily shifting to the main table in the distance, Macy spotted Judith Blanchard joining the conversation Stephen and Jeff held. While her graceful smile did an excellent job of hiding the annoyance she felt for the circumstances, the gloved finger tapping over the cane signaled her patience was getting tested immensely the more Jeff spoke.

She knew her father was so doing that on purpose and probably telling them about his upcoming, scandalous campaigns for the brand.

"And what do you think?" Macy inquired absently before lifting her eyes at him. "You tell me your dad is freaking out, but shouldn't you too? Your company has worked with Blanchard for so long."

"Thirty years or so," Aiden elaborated, his smile taking a pensive edge as he looked away and ran a hand through his dark hair. The faintest hesitation made it into his voice with his following words, "But it won't be the end of the world my father thinks it is."

Her eyebrows shoot up quizzically with her increasing curiosity, but before she could interrogate him further, Aiden motioned one graceful hand to the side and silently beckoned her to the door opening to the pool.

If he was involved in Kurt's murderous schemes, leading her to the water was such a power move. It was low, but still a power move. Still, Macy found it hard to resist the challenge. Her fists clutching the skirt of her gown, she started to follow him outside where the crowd had ceased to exist moments before. Regardless, it provided the area with a more intimate and inviting area. The chlorine mixed with perfume wafted on the gentle breeze and carried the classic music coming from the hotel, entertaining a few guests and a few guests chattering at the chaise longs with drinks in their hands.