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‘We share things, Eric. That’s how a relationship should work. There shouldn’t be a tyrant handing out orders with a firm hand and a sharp tongue. That behaviour doesn’t make you a man; it makes you a bully.’
Eric smiled and nodded, resting his cigar in the ashtray on the desk. Nicholas swallowed. Eric thumped his hands down on the desk and leaned towards Nicholas, his lips curled into a snarl.
‘How dare you come into my office, sit there and insult me! I thought better of you. I thought you might have a little respect for me. I didn’t think you were foolish enough to try and pick an argument with me,’ Eric hissed.
‘You don’t frighten me. Look at yourself! A small man in a flash suit, hiding behind a big desk and two, even bigger security guards. Appearing from behind a false bookcase! What was that all about? Who do you see yourself as, Eric? Some kind of Bond villain?’ He held firm in his seat.
‘If I were you, I’d keep that smart mouth of yours in check. I have a feeling you’ve been with Jane for too long. Some of her acridness has rubbed off on you.’
‘The only people you attack are those you think are smaller and weaker than you. I am not one of them.’
‘What makes you think I won’t finish you right here and now?’ Eric wanted to know.
‘You don’t have it in you. You don’t sully your own hands. You pay people to do it for you.’
‘Not when it’s personal.’
‘Listen, you can do whatever you like to me. You can have me assaulted, have me killed if you must, but leave Freya alone. She’s suffered enough.’
‘You’d put yourself in the firing line for her. How touching.’
‘I love her. I would do absolutely anything in my power to protect her. That’s why I’m here now. Don’t think for a moment I really want to be anywhere near you, let alone in the same room as you. You disgust me.’
‘It’s a funny thing, isn’t it? What disgusts people. I mean, what’s your definition of disgusting, Nick?’ Eric queried. He sat back in his seat and picked up the cigar again.
‘What are you talking about? I don’t have time for this. I’ve said what I came to say.’ He stood up, turned away.
‘Sit down!’ Eric ordered.
‘Go to hell! I’m not answerable to you.’ He headed towards the door.
‘Oh, trust me. You’ll want to hear this.’
Nicholas turned back round to face him.
‘Please, sit back down. I think you’ll need to.’
‘I’m not in to playing games.’ He walked back to the desk and Eric.
‘I understand you’ve met my son.’ He relit his cigar and raised his eyes to meet Nicholas’.
‘I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.’
‘You met my son, the other day. Now, he’s a fine boy, almost a chip off the old block. I mean, he has definitely inherited my business brain. He’s rich and successful and he’s going places. In fact, the only defect he has is a rather pathetic weakness in the emotional department,’ Eric told him.
‘I’m still not with you. I didn’t know you had a son.’
‘No, well, it isn’t something I’ve broadcast. In this case, all parties concerned have kept their mouths shut. But despite his rather unsavoury conception, he’s turned out rather well. His name’s Jonathan, by the way. I believe Jane still calls him Jonny.’
‘Oh my God.’ He took a breath and moistened his lips.
‘I did say you’d want to stay and hear it, didn’t I? So, now who’s disgusting, Nick? Jane, for sleeping with her half-brother? Or me, for parting them when I could?’
‘My God. This is sick. You are sick. I don’t believe a word of it.’ Nicholas rose from his seat.
‘You’d better believe it, because he’s the only reason I’m not having you and Jane wiped off the face of the planet. He came to me. He heard about your driver’s little incident and he begged me, he pleaded with me to leave his sister alone. It was pathetic. It was utter weakness. He was snivelling and grovelling and it made me feel nauseous. And do you know? Despite everything, I think he still loves her. It’s a little frightening considering their genealogy, but I suppose deep feelings never leave you, do they?’ Eric continued.
‘If you are lying about this, I swear to God I’ll kill you.’
