Claire and the Lady Billionaire_Book 8

by Giselle Fox

  “Here it comes,” Leda said.

  We didn’t move. I was waiting for Sabrina to stand up first, or to say something, and it seemed that Leda was doing the same. Sabrina was hurting, and though her situation could have been avoided, it was too late by that point. The whole thing just made me miss Camille more.

  I looked up at the sky and felt the first pelting drops of rain. The fire hissed and began to steam. And then it began to pour. We sat there, squinting at each other as it dripped down our faces and soaked us. Leda was the first to stand up.

  “Come on ladies. Let’s go for one last swim.” She ripped her tank top from her body and threw it on the blanket beside us, then she tore off through the rain.

  Sabrina shot up after and then so did I.

  Sabrina looked back at me. “Race ya,” and then she galloped off toward the water. I chased after her, leaving my clothes on since they were already soaked through. She reached the water, then I heard something that made me stop in my tracks. There was another yell behind me, then I saw a flash of naked man go by in the dark. Bryce streaked across the beach wearing nothing but his gold chain. He hit the water, shrieking like a banshee before diving under. Leda and Sabrina howled with laughter as they bobbed out in the waves. I ran in after and dove in too.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The boat arrived at 9 am the next morning. We were already packed and sitting on the dock. Bryce looked more like his old self than the sunburned deadbeat we’d found passed-out in a broken lounger. It might have looked like we’d all been on holiday, though it had certainly felt like an ordeal. Sabrina, at least, seemed more at peace than she had the night before. The idea of going home had made us all a little happier.

  A car was waiting for us at the dock. He drove us to the airport in Krabi where we waited for the charter flight back to the Seletar airport in Singapore. Leda’s car was waiting there for us. She drove Bryce home first and then delivered me to the condo. It was mid-afternoon and I knew Camille was still at work.

  I’d arranged for Sabrina to pick me up after we’d both showered and changed. Bryce’s plan was to go into the office as soon as possible and none of us wanted to miss that.

  “I can get there myself,” he’d said when we were all still in the car.

  “Your father asked to see you as soon as you got back,” Leda said. “So if you’re going into the office, you should wait for him. I’ll let him know your plans.”

  “Fine. He should be there,” Bryce said, staring out the window.

  I watched him until he caught my eyes in the reflection. “What?” he asked, spinning around to look at me. There was that typical entitled look, like he expected all of us to bow in his presence. Boy, was he in for a surprise.

  I came home to an empty condo, but the familiar scents of Camille’s lotions and shampoos in the bathroom made me feel welcomed. I walked into the closet to grab something suitable to wear for the meeting at Vermillion and was pleasantly surprised. My side of the closet was filled with new clothes bags, all emblazoned with Penny’s insignia. I smiled to myself knowing that Camille must have ordered them long before. I unzipped the bags one by one. There was suit after suit, all in fabrics designed for the Singapore climate. There were shirts with single cuffs, double cuffs, and short sleeves, both patterned and plain. I loved everything and had an impossible time deciding what to wear. Eventually, I settled on a light-gray plaid fresco with a white oxford and pair of tan loafers. A meeting with the entire Bettencourt family deserved something sharp.

  About an hour later, Sabrina picked me up again. Leda had already gone to get Bryce. John was getting driven in his own car. I had texted Camille but hadn’t heard back from her. Her line was busy and I imagined that she was probably talking to her father.

  I had hoped to arrive first, but Bryce’s place was closer to the Vermillion tower. When Sabrina and I got up to the thirty-sixth floor, Camille’s door was closed. The office outside seemed more on edge than it had the last time I’d been there. News of Bryce’s return had already circulated.

  Jamie greeted us warmly. “He’s in there,” she whispered. “And so is Leda.”

  That was a relief. “John is on his way,” I said.

  “This could get interesting.”

  “Should I stay out here?” Sabrina asked.

  “No, let’s both go in. Camille could use the back-up.”

  I knocked once and then opened the door. Camille’s face lit up, she crossed the room and threw her arms around me. “You look fantastic,” she whispered in my ear.

  Bryce cleared his throat and then gave me a little wave. Things between them seemed civil, at least.

  “Do you guys need time alone?” I asked.

  “No, please stay,” Camille replied and returned to her seat behind the desk. “Bryce was just telling me about your trip.”

  “You mean my kidnapping,” he muttered.

  Leda rolled her eyes just enough for me to notice.

  “I thought Dad would be here by now,” Bryce said. “Where is he?”

  “On his way,” Camille replied.

  Bryce stood up and buttoned his jacket. He had shaved. His hair was slicked back. His suit was immaculate. He looked like John from another generation. Then, he took a seat on the corner of Camille’s desk, pivoting his body so that he was looking down at her. “So… things have changed around here.”

  “Yes, they have,” Camille said, looking unfazed by his seating arrangement.

  “That was a pretty bold move at a time like this,” he said.

  “It had to be done,” Camille replied.

  “Does Dad know?”

  “Of course, he knows.”

  “I thought you were keeping him out of the loop because of his… condition.”

  Camille stared back at her brother. “Your concern is so touching, Bryce.”

  “He did ask me to leave,” Bryce countered.

  “No, he fired you and cut off your allowance. You still could have visited him.”

  “I was busy,” Bryce said.

  “Yes, well… we all know what you were doing,” Camille said as she swept a non-existent piece of lint off her thigh.

  Bryce leaned forward, Camille sat back in her chair. Both of them stared each other down.

  “So… you’re looking well. Better than you did on Instagram, anyhow,” Camille said finally.

  “Thank you,” Bryce said. “You look tired. The job’s been getting to you, I see.”

  Camille shook her head, looking more amused than angered. “You haven’t changed.”

  “Why would I?”

  “I thought you might have gained a little clarity after destroying so many brain cells.”

  “Things are crystal clear,” Bryce said.

  “They are, are they?”

  “You’re here only because there was no other choice. Now you’re in a bind and so you sent your minions to get me. Well… here I am. Let’s talk.”

  Camille smiled back at him. Then she began to chuckle. “Sorry, that was funny.”

  “This place is a mess,” he hissed.

  “Wrong again,” Camille replied.

  Bryce stared back at her. “Why can’t you just admit it? This is too much for you. You hate it… and Dad can’t do it anymore.”

  “You know, when you first walked in here I had a tiny hope that you would have changed somehow for the better. But you haven’t one bit, have you? You’re the same Bryce as always.”

  “Cut the bullshit. When Dad gets here, it’s over.”

  “For whom is it over?”

  “For you, and you know it. You can’t run this place; I can. It’s time for you to move on.”

  “I see. You feel you should be sitting here?”

  “Yes. I’m the logical choice to lead us out of the situation we’re in.”

  Camille shook her head. “You’ve conveniently forgotten that you’re the reason we’re in this situation.”

  “Come on. You did your part too.”

&n
bsp; “How?”

  Bryce let out a sarcastic laugh. “You’re kidding, right? This isn’t LA or Portland. You can’t expect to parade around like you have been and not expose us all to repercussions.”

  “Ah, I understand,” Camille said and shook her head again.

  Bryce looked at all of us. “You’re not discrete. You act like it’s normal. It’s not normal!”

  Camille stood up and placed her palms on the desk in front of her. She took a deep breath. “All our partners want is a good deal; they want jobs for their people, they want profit. They don’t work for me; they sit at a table with me a few times a year at most and then they go back and run their own businesses. When the deal I bring them makes them money, they’re happy. I might be a lesbian, but I’m the lesbian that will make them rich.”

  She slid a folder marked quarterly report across the table toward him. “It’s already begun. Trimming the fat was good for us. We’re up eight points.”

  “You can’t take credit for that!”

  “I don’t need credit to be able to read what’s in front of me.”

  “Our strongest people are gone! You need me and you know it!”

  “It’s true, we all could have used your help. Dad certainly would have appreciated it. But you weren’t here and so we dealt with it on our own.”

  “This is madness! You have no idea what you’re doing!”

  “You were the biggest offender of all, in fact.” She opened her top drawer and pulled out a binder. “This is a detailed list of your HR infractions: harassment, inappropriate comments, bullying, litigation over broken contracts, the list goes on. Never mind that you nearly derailed the company that’s been letting you live like a prince your entire life. No,” Camille said flatly. “Your position has been filled.”

  “By who?”

  “That’s none of your concern.”

  Bryce hadn’t been prepared for that. “I don’t get it. Then why did you bring me back here?”

  “You’re here because you are a member of this family and you needed help-”

  “I didn’t need help. I was fine!”

  “You were so far from being fine that it was painful even for me to watch! Now that you’re sober and of sound enough mind to choose your entourage a little more wisely, you are free to go.”

  “Where am I supposed to go?”

  “That’s up to you, but I certainly hope you stay away from Thailand.”

  Bryce looked back at us. “I can’t believe this!”

  “Believe it,” Camille assured him. “And another thing; coupled with your terrible HR record and the fact that you tried to sabotage Vermillion with that Fox News piece, you released a sex tape of your own sister. I have witnesses and signed testimony detailing the exact process through which you acquired that tape. If you decide to release anything else, Bryce, and I mean anything, this information will be made public. Both Avery and I will prosecute to the full extent of the law. With a criminal record—perhaps even jail time—and your recent behavior abroad, the media will slaughter you. You will be a pariah. It will be the end of any career you hope to have again. Do you understand?”

  Eventually, Bryce nodded.

  “I can’t hear you,” Camille said louder.

  “Yes!” Bryce shouted. He shot up from his seat, then he caught my eye. “Oh, just fuck off!” He held up his middle fingers and waved them wildly at the three of us. His tantrum reminded me of his first day on Prison Island. Then, he flung open the door until it smashed against the wall behind it.

  “Careful or you might have to replace that,” Camille said calmly.

  Bryce grabbed the door and threw it open so that it bounced off the wall again.

  “Oh yeah? There!”

  “Settle down!” John said. He sat in his wheelchair on the other side of the door. His fake cast was on his leg. Jamie stood behind him, looking like she’d just been about to wheel him in.

  Bryce swung around and glared at Camille again. “I want to hear what dad has to say!”

  “Why?” John said, rising from his chair. He stood tall and imposing. He walked in and pushed the door closed again behind him. “Haven’t you figured out that your sister has more patience for your bullshit than I do?”

  Bryce said nothing.

  “Two weeks ago you were at rock-bottom,” John said. “For all you know, these women saved your life. And here you are screaming like a child. Get a hold of yourself!”

  Bryce was silent.

  “You want back in? Be better. You want respect? Be better. Instead of running back to that goddamn beach and trying to forget this ever happened, why don’t you focus your exceptional mind on being a better man?”

  Bryce looked down at the floor with his hands on his hips.

  “Son,” Johnathon stepped forward and held out his hand, “look at me.”

  Bryce looked up.

  “You have it in you, I know you do.”

  Bryce looked into his father’s eyes. “Don’t you see? This is a mistake.”

  “No… it’s not. And the only thing you need to worry about right now is yourself,” John said gently. He looked over at Camille and then back at Bryce again. “You two are the most important thing to me. We’re a family, no matter what. I know it hasn’t always felt like it… but maybe it could again. Everything else will be fine.”

  I glanced at Camille. Her eyes had softened a little. We all looked at Bryce. His anger slowly diffused. He’d been defeated, but he seemed to accept it. He looked at his father again.

  “I’ll be around,” he said and walked out.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Sabrina, Leda, and I gave John and Camille a recap of our two-week stay in Thailand; telling them everything: from the state we’d found Bryce in, to the small improvements he’d made along the way. John was happy to hear that Anton’s book had helped give Bryce some guidance. When it was time for John to leave us, Leda and Sabrina took their cue as well. Camille had booked the rest of the day off in anticipation of my return.

  Greg was waiting for us beside the car downstairs. “Nice to have you back,” he said to me before opening the door. I rarely saw Greg since he was Camille’s driver, but whenever I did, I appreciated that he always made a point of acknowledging me.

  Camille and I sat close in the back seat of the Limo. Her hand rested on my thigh. She looked down at it and then sighed a little happy sigh before looking out the window again.

  She smelled so good. She looked so beautiful. I’d expected to return and find her exhausted again but I was happy to be wrong. Despite what Bryce had said, she didn’t look tired at all. In fact, she looked better than she had in weeks.

  “Thank you, for everything that you did. It was good to see Bryce looking like himself again. I’m sure I haven’t seen the last of him.”

  “You laid it out for him pretty clear. I don’t think he’ll be stupid enough to test you again.”

  “I hope not. The last thing I want to do is press charges against him, but I will if I have to.”

  I sat back in my seat. “That meeting actually went better than I expected.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “He was sure that you’d sent us to bring him back so he could swoop in and save Vermillion.”

  Camille chuckled. “No.”

  “No,” I said. “He did alright there. Better than I thought he would.”

  “Good,” Camille said. “Maybe he’ll find purpose in something else.”

  “He was seriously all over Anton’s book.”

  “Those two would make a perfect pair.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if Bryce contacts him for some private coaching.”

  Camille shook her head.

  “You seem happy,” I whispered.

  Camille looked at me and smiled. “I am.”

  “Things are going okay?”

  She nodded. “Much better.”

  I didn’t need the details; her happiness was all that mattered. “How are the new pe
ople working out?”

  “They seem good so far. There’s one other person I’m waiting to hear back from. I’ve offered her a permanent position.” She smiled at me again.

  “Who is it?” I asked, though I had a feeling I already knew.

  “Jasmine. She’s been invaluable. We wouldn’t be where we are without her.”

  My stomach sank. “Oh dear.”

  “I know. It’s not without its complications. You’re worried about Sabrina?”

  I nodded. “If Jasmine takes it and relocates here with her wife…?” My stomach dropped again.

  “We’ll see how things go,” Camille said. “It’s a very big move. She would only consider it if she was ready to make a jump like that.”

  “You think she’ll say yes?”

  “She didn’t say no. I gave her the rest of the month to decide. I’ve retained her until the end of August.”

  “She’s great. I just hope it doesn’t get ugly. Sabrina is in pretty deep.”

  Camille placed her hand on my thigh again. “I have something to ask you.”

  “What is it?”

  “Can I be your plus-one at Sherri’s wedding?”

  I almost exploded right on the spot. “You’re coming?!”

  “If you say yes,” Camille grinned.

  “Are you kidding me!? Yes!” I threw my arms around her. “Thank you! This is a really big thing for me. I really wanted you there.”

  “I know,” Camille whispered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t commit sooner. You know how things have been.”

  “Of course, I know.”

  “I also didn’t want to leave the whole house thing in your lap. And really, after everything that happened this summer, I should spend some time with your parents. I hope they forgive me.”

  “You don’t need to worry about them,” I said.

  “No, I do. I’m taking you away from them. They don’t even know it yet. What kind of a partner would I be if I didn’t show up for important family events? I have to go.”

  She was right. “My parents will really appreciate it. They might not know it while it’s happening, but they will in the long run.”