The Glass Slipper (Cinderella 3)

“Defensive much?” He shakes his head. “I get that you’re used to everyone trying to fuck you over because we’re Constantines, but don’t insult me, Winny. I love you. You’re my damn brother. If it’s fucked-up games we must play, then I’m always on your team, ready to play them. I guess I didn’t realize there was more to this job than acquisitions and financial world domination. I should have negotiated a higher salary.”

“Prove to me you mean those words and I can guarantee you a lot more than a higher salary.”

Like a new position. One much, much higher. His brows crash together as if to interpret the meaning behind my words. In time, he’ll understand.

A knock on the door of my office is my only warning before Nate pushes inside. His gaze is intense as he sweeps it over the two of us, brows furrowing slightly as though he doesn’t seem to find what he’s looking for.

Ash isn’t here, buddy. Why so obsessed with her, hmm?

“Can I help you?” I lift a brow at him.

“Just checking in. Seems I missed the memo about the meeting.”

Perry remains surprisingly quiet, an impassive expression on his usually telling face. I wait Nate out, offering nothing. It’s at least an hour before he usually shows up.

“Unless Deborah is failing at her job, I don’t have a meeting scheduled with you,” I clip out, an edge to my tone that could flay a man where he stands.

This is the Constantine who’s been hiding.

Ash softened my edges when I can’t be anything but razor-sharp and brutally hard.

Nate adopts an easy grin, the tension leaving his shoulders. “I take it there are no wedding bells in the future?”

“There never were.”

“No, you’re right,” Nate says, nodding. “For a second there, I was worried you were going to ruin your life over a nice piece of ass. I should have known better. You’re Winston fucking Constantine.” He grins, reminding me of those years in prep school when he’d be pumped after a thrilling win on the rugby field.

Perry’s jaw clenches but he says nothing. Even though Nate’s words about Ash irritate me, I ignore them, waving him off with a flick of my wrist. Not the time for this. I’ll deal with it later.

“Don’t you have money to make me? If you’re here early, may as well get to it.”

Nate smirks. “You’re so bitchy in the mornings. Now that you’re not tied to that money-hungry wannabe ball and chain, we should go out tonight and get wasted.”

“Bye, Nate.”

“Think about it,” he says with a chuckle.

Before he can exit my office, Deborah predictably rushes in, a horrified expression on her face.

Oh, Morelli, you really fucked up now.

“What is it?” I ask, apathy dripping from my words.

“It’s…” She waves frantically as if that’ll answer me. “The news…it’s everywhere.”

“What?” Nate demands, his brows pinched together.

Deborah shoots me a helpless look.

Perry tugs his phone from his pocket and sighs heavily. “Billionaire CEO Exposed in Humiliating Sex Scandal with Teenager.”

“Jesus Christ,” Nate chokes out, eyes going wide.

“Deborah,” I say in an even tone, “why don’t you have Anthony meet me here at his earliest convenience? Looks like the day is getting started early.”

It’s on now, Morelli.

Predictable bastard.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ash

I wake to the sound of my alarm with a jolt. It takes all of five seconds to realize where I’m at. The whore’s apartment. But Shrimp is here, singing a good-morning tune and that makes it a teeny bit better. Flinging off my blanket, I reach over to unplug my phone from the charger and to check for damages.

Crap.

Based on the million missed texts from Dad, what looks like cruel ones from Leo, a few from an unknown number, and several more from Perry, I’d say the shit has hit the proverbial fan.

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach making me nauseous. I don’t know what this day will bring, but I can tell I’m going to hate every second of it. I’m not sure if I should stay in bed or do something.

What?

Go to work?

Do I even still have a job?

Before I even have a chance to reach out to Win, he texts me. My heart does a little flutter in my chest. He knows what time my alarm goes off and he waited until I woke to message me.

It’s the little things in life.

Win: A car will be around in an hour to pick you up for work.

Me: I still have a job?

He sends me an eyeroll emoji that makes me tear up. We’ll be okay. We can fix this. I know we can.

Win: Don’t speak to the paparazzi.

My stomach does a painful flip, twisting my guts.

Me: He really did it, huh?

Win: Of course he did.

Me: Is it bad?

Win: Billionaire CEO Exposed in Humiliating Sex Scandal with Teenager? I’ll let you make your own deductions.