Dirty Beginning (Dirty 0.50)

“You will run every decision by either Killian or me .”

I nod, not liking that as much, but I’ll accept it—for now .

“Lastly, this is a trial run. If you last a year, it can be a permanent position, but Killian or I can fire you for any reason at any time .”

I take a deep breath and nod. His terms seem fair, considering I have never run a company like this before .

“If you last a year, I’ll give you all of my equity .”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “That would be …”

He nods. “You would have controlling power over the company. You would have fifty-one percent. Killian will only have forty-nine .”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I can’t believe what he is offering me. I don’t understand what changed since the heart attack, but whatever it is, I’ll take it .

“Do we have an agreement ?”

I smile. “Yes .”

I extend my hand, and we shake on it .

“Now that, that is taken care of, what is that boy still doing here ?”

“What do you mean ?”

“I figured, since you aren’t wearing a ring and you finally got the balls to tell me that you weren’t marrying him, no matter what, that it meant you told him no .”

I nervously twist my strands of hair in front of my body .

“Kinsley?”

“I haven’t answered him yet. I tried to earlier, but he wouldn’t let me .”

“Then, answer me this. How do you feel about that boy ?”

“What do you mean ?”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Do you love him? And don’t you dare lie to me. I’ve been through enough these last few days. You wouldn’t want to give me another heart attack because you lied to me .”

I shake my head at his dramatics. I don’t know how to answer him because I’m not sure how I feel .

“Maybe. I don’t know,” I say, getting up from the bed and pacing the room .

He doesn’t rush me or ask me any further questions. He just watches me pace and encourages me with his patience to tell him .

“He makes me feel warm when he’s around me. I ache when he’s gone .”

I walk to the other side of the room .

“He charming, intelligent, strong. He’s take

n care of me more than he should .”

I pace again .

“He was willing to marry me for no other reason than because he felt he made a promise to my father .”

I pace again .