Going Down Hard (Billionaire Bad Boys 3)

“I remember you,” Spencer said, stepping closer. “The gardener and maid’s kid.”

“And proud of it,” Derek said easily, but she sensed his leashed anger.

Understood it because it matched her own.

He didn’t engage her brother in conversation or mention Blink or his current status in the world. Both men knew who Derek was today. Spencer was just trying to goad him. But Derek could handle himself, so she let the men deal with each other, stare each other down.

All the while she was seething inside.

The sound of Derek’s cell phone finally broke into the charged silence. He glanced at the screen. “I have to take this. Excuse me.” He shot her an apologetic glance and walked into the outer room.

“You’re rude, Spencer.”

“I’m honest.”

She shook her head. “Not really, because you left a few important things out. Derek is the biggest news in the tech world. It was a coup to convince him to let me interview him, and that’s where I’ve been. Out of the office. Working.”

He frowned at the reminder. “Be that as it may, our family has a sordid history with his. I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be interviewing him.”

Or seeing him. Or fucking him. She could hear the thoughts rampaging through her brother’s brain. The ones he at least had the smarts not to say.

She curled her fingers into fists at his ridiculous way of thinking. “Are you suggesting I turn my interview over to another editor or staff reporter?” she asked mildly, her blood boiling at the notion.

He shook his head. “I’m telling you not to do the story at all.”

She flinched at his nerve. “You don’t get to tell me how to run my magazine or what stories I can publish.”

“I’m the chairman of the company.” He smirked, and she wanted to smack the arrogant grin off his face.

“And I’m the executive editor of this magazine,” she said, her voice rising. “Every story starts and ends with my approval. Unless you want me to take this decision to the board—and tell them you’re denying me the chance to interview the billionaire tech god nobody else could get to even speak to them—I suggest you walk out that door right now.”

His cheeks turned a bright red. She had him and he knew it. “This isn’t over.”

“What do you have against Derek, other than the fact that he made something of himself?” She really wanted to know. Spencer’s feelings toward Derek made no sense, and she searched for an explanation.

“He’s beneath us,” Spencer said through gritted teeth.

The answer didn’t work for her, but she knew she wouldn’t be getting the truth out of him now.

Cassie shook her head and laughed. “If you ask me, Derek West is above us both. Good-bye, Spencer,” she said, effectively dismissing her sibling.

“Cassie—”

“This discussion is over.” She settled into her chair, picked up her pen, and glanced down at her notes, pretending to get back to work.

But the truth was, she couldn’t see past the haze of anger that vibrated through her. Anger at how rudely he’d treated Derek, both to his face and behind his back. She was frustrated that she didn’t understand his motivation for attempting to forbid her to interview Derek at all. Maybe it was jealousy, pure and simple. She’d probably never know.

Finally, the door slammed and she knew he was gone.

She breathed in deep, searching for calm, and was still looking for Zen when Derek walked back into the room.

She wasn’t sure how to face him after what her brother had said. She wouldn’t blame him if he turned ice cold again or ended things between them altogether. There was just so much someone should have to take, and Cassie wouldn’t blame Derek if he’d reached his limit.

Slowly she met his gaze, bracing herself for his reaction.

* * *

As far as Derek was concerned, Becky’s phone call came just in time. He wasn’t sure how much longer he’d have been able to stand in front of Spencer Storms and not go for the other man’s throat. Derek was still on the phone with his assistant, wrapping up a problem, when the other man stormed out of Cassie’s office, brushing past Derek without a word or a glance.