Chapter 5

Through the narrowing gap between the elevator doors, I heard Philip's voice soften.

“Of course tonight's yours. Have I ever missed a special occasion with you?”

The doors shut.

I stood against the rail, holding a tissue to my mouth.

Our anniversary. My birthday. The dinner I'd cooked when my latest patent was approved.

He'd missed all of them.

For a year, I'd told myself that building a business inside a crime family left little room for romance. There were obligations I understood and others he wouldn't discuss.

Apparently, he'd found the time for Winona.

I wiped the blood from my lip.

Philip didn't come home that night.

Neither did I.

The next morning, Eastwell held the Eastern Pacific contract presentation in a waterfront hotel.

Black sedans lined the entrance. Inside, reporters waited beneath crystal chandeliers while representatives of the coast's most powerful families greeted one another with careful smiles.

The contract was legitimate. The competition behind it was less so.

Whoever controlled the terminals' communications infrastructure would become indispensable to men who disliked depending on outsiders.

I arrived with a bandage above my eyebrow and bruises the makeup couldn't conceal.

Philip saw me before I reached the registration desk.

His gaze moved from my face to the proposal folder beneath my arm.

Then he smiled.

“I knew you'd come around.”

His collar sat open at the throat. Dark marks showed above it.

I looked at them, then at him.

He seemed pleased that I'd noticed.

“Stayed up all night fixing the proposal, didn't you?” He leaned closer. “You could have saved us both the trouble yesterday.”

Winona stood a few steps behind him, wearing an expensive dress and the expression of someone whose morning had just been spoiled.

Philip lowered his voice.

“I only stayed with her because she was upset after what you did. Someone had to calm her down.”

I adjusted my grip on the folder.

“But you're here. You've brought the work.” He gave a small, approving nod. “That's what matters.”

He reached toward my elbow. I moved out of reach.

His smile tightened.

“Don't start again. I'll come home tonight. You've earned that much.”

For seven years, I'd wanted to hear him say he was coming home.

Now I only wanted him to step aside.

Winona joined us.

“You still haven't taken the hint?”

Her eyes lingered on my bandage.

“After yesterday, I thought you'd have enough self-respect to stay away from him.”

A nearby reporter turned.

Within seconds, cameras were pointing at us.

“Ms. Maxwell. Is it true you were dismissed after harassing Mr. Delgado and his girlfriend?”

A microphone blocked my path.

“Did the man who was supposed to hire you withdraw his offer after the livestream?”

Another voice came from behind it.

“Are you here to ask Mr. Delgado to take you back?”

The questions grew uglier when I didn't answer.

“Does professional reputation mean nothing to you?”

“Or is a wealthy man worth any amount of humiliation?”

Philip stood beside Winona and let them ask.

I waited for a gap, stepped past the nearest microphone, and walked toward the Eastwell delegation.

Their director recognized me immediately.

“Ms. Maxwell.”

I handed him the folder.

“The final specifications, independent test results, and deployment schedule. This is the system we discussed.”

He opened it.

I watched his attention settle on the first table of results.

“This performance figure,” he said. “You've verified it under full load?”

“The supporting tests are in section three.”

He turned the pages.

Around us, the reporters quieted. Philip moved closer.

The director looked up, then reached for my hand.

“This is extraordinary.”

He glanced toward another member of the selection committee and passed him the folder.

“We said from the beginning that whoever secured your expertise would have the advantage.”

Philip stepped forward before the man had finished speaking.

“Thank you. We've worked very hard for this.”

He turned toward the cameras, positioning himself beside me.

“I've always believed in getting the best out of my people.”

I moved away. He barely noticed.

“A woman like Cora needs a firm hand,” he continued, smiling as though he were sharing useful advice. “Same as a dog. Let her think she runs the house, and nothing gets done. Remind her who's in charge, and look what she delivers.”

A few strained laughs came from his delegation.

The Eastwell director stopped smiling.

Philip was watching the cameras.

Then he spotted Craig Butler standing near the stage.

His expression brightened.

“Butler.”

Craig turned.

“Save yourself the trip next time,” Philip said. “Some contracts are out of your league.”

His men stood behind him, enjoying the insult.

“After today, you'll know who you have to come through on this coast.”

Craig glanced at me.

Then he looked back at Philip with a faint smile.

“You should let him finish.”

The Eastwell director stepped onto the stage. He placed the selection committee's decision on the podium and adjusted the microphone.

Philip straightened his jacket.

He was still smiling when the announcement began.

By the time the director finished reading the winning company's name, every trace of color had left his face.