Chapter 75: Don’t Call Her That
Tom’s face twisted. "Not to a whore!"
Winn’s shoulders stiffened, his entire body a storm contained by sheer willpower. His eyes burned with a rare fury. He stepped into Tom’s space until only inches separated them.
"Don’t call her that." Winn’s hands curled at his sides, nails digging into his palms as if the pain would tether him. He’d hit his father before—he’d promised his mother he wouldn’t ever again but hearing Ivy reduced to a slur made his blood boil. His heart hammered against his ribs, and every muscle in his body screamed for release.
Tom’s eyes narrowed into slits, his face hardening into stone. He took one step closer. "You think because you’re a grown man now, you can speak to me however you want? I should have known you would screw up something as simple as getting married. I should have known!" His hand smacked the edge of Winn’s desk.
Winn inhaled deeply through his nose, fighting for calm, for control. He reminded himself—this was his office. His territory. "This is my office, and I’m going to ask you to leave. You want to discuss this further? Schedule a family meeting."
"That woman is not going to be part of my family!" Tom barked, his face flushed crimson, veins bulging at his temple. He jabbed a finger toward Winn’s chest. "That slut will not be a Kane! Not now, not ever!" The venom in his tone was fear masquerading as hate, fear that he would lose everything to Winn and Ivy.
Winn’s fists itched, his knuckles tightening so hard they cracked.
The heavy thud of boots against marble interrupted the standoff. Security burst into the office, two men in dark uniforms. "Mr. Kane?" one of them turned to Winn , waiting for orders.
Right behind them, Joey all but tumbled into the room, his cheeks flushed. "Hey, Mr. Kane!" Joey chirped. "Good to see you!" He gave an awkward little wave, eyes flicking between Winn’s clenched fists and Tom’s murderous glare.
Tom’s head snapped toward Joey, eyes sharp and accusing. "Did you know?"
"Uh..." Joey froze, sweat prickling at his temple. He looked at Winn, then back at Tom, then back at Winn again. His throat bobbed nervously. "I, uh..." He forced a laugh that died instantly in the silence. "Depends on what you mean by... know?"
"That he plans to marry a whore. Imagine how well that will fly with your investors." He gave a derisive snort, straightened his tie, and stormed out of the office. On his way, he shoved one of the security guards so roughly the man nearly hit the wall.
Joey’s wide eyes turned immediately to Winn. "What is he talking about?"
"Nothing." Winn stalked toward his desk, shoulders tight, fists flexing and unflexing. His movements screamed of barely contained rage.
"Winn?" Joey tried again, softer this time, but more firm. His loyalty to Winn didn’t erase the reality: whatever Tom had meant was serious enough to shake the foundation they were standing on.
"Not now, Joey. Not now."
"If it’s going to affect the deal with the investors, then yes, now." Joey planted both hands on Winn’s desk, leaning forward until Winn had no choice but to look up at him. "We’ve been busting our asses for this project, and if there’s something in your personal life that’s going to blow it up, I need to know. Now."
Winn exhaled through clenched teeth. "Fine! Ivy is a dancer at Commissioned."
"...Okay. Just a dancer, right?"
"Yeah." Winn leaned back in his chair with a sigh that came from the depths of his chest. "She doesn’t do private dances."
Joey nodded slowly, chewing on the information. "That’s not so bad."
"Well, tell that to Tom Kane!" Winn snapped. He dragged a hand through his hair, disheveling it, frustration seeping through every pore.
"Well..." Joey scratched the back of his neck, offering a weak smile. "Now you have to make sure your dad keeps his mouth shut." He gave a little laugh, but it was hollow, nerves betraying him. He knew as well as Winn that controlling Tom Kane was like trying to leash a storm.
"You’ve known the man for years. Is he a man you can make do anything? My father only breaks people."
Joey had no argument for that.
"What are you going to do?" Joey finally asked.
Winn’s chest rose and fell, his gaze hardening as resolve flickered behind his eyes. "The investors wanted a wife. That’s what they’re getting." He sat straighter. "They don’t get to dictate who I marry. Besides...They love Ivy. They were practically singing her praises while they were here."
"Looks like they aren’t the only ones." Joey teased, his grin wide enough to split his face.
Winn narrowed his eyes at him, his jaw clenching until the muscle jumped. "Not the time, Joey. Really not the time."
Joey nodded. He didn’t see it yet, but he was in love with his secretary.
*****
Sylvia had outdone herself. She had transformed Ivy into a vision.
As the driver steered the car through the night, Ivy smoothed her hands down the fabric of her dress. "Syl...I am glad you’ve been trying to distract me all day, but I’d be lying if I said I weren’t curious."
"I’m taking you to Winn," Sylvia answered smoothly.
"Oh...why all the secrecy then?" Ivy asked, shifting slightly in her seat.
"You’ll see." Sylvia’s eyes glinted. "So, you work with Joey uhn."
Ivy tilted her head, caught off guard. "Not directly. He has his own secretary. Why?"
"Nothing. Just checking in."
Ivy turned to face her fully. "I know. Syl. No one told me anything directly, but I’m not stupid. I know you’re in love with him."
"I’m guessing he doesn’t talk about me much?" Sylvia asked. She tapped her fingers against the armrest, feigning nonchalance.
"No," Ivy admitted gently, adjusting the hem of her dress. "I hear more about you from Winn. He adores you." She glanced sideways, studying Sylvia’s face.
"Naaah," Sylvia dismissed with a wave of her hand. "He’s just constantly worried about me. I’m the crazy sister." She chuckled.