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She shifted her gaze between them before she centered her gaze on Grant, raising her eyebrows. She wanted him to go first. She wanted him to play nice with Kyle, but he didn’t think he could do it.
The expression on her features became more demanding, and she tilted her head at him in a silent request. He shifted his weight as he prepared to give in to her, not because he wanted to win her over, but because she was right. He and Kyle pushed each other’s buttons. No matter what one did, the other one took it the wrong way without fail. Poor Julia was trapped in the middle, trying to manage two strong egos as she waded her way through the DG Industries issue the best way she could.
“Fine. She’s right. As usual. I…sometimes have my doubts about you because of the way we met. Fair or not, it’s true. The only thing that will fix that is time and…building trust. Both of which we’ve had a pretty short supply of so far.”
Kyle’s forehead creased as a confused expression crossed his features. “Forgive me, but there seem to be two key words missing from that apology.”
Grant’s blood boiled as he flexed his jaw, trying desperately not to lash out again.
“Kyle, that’s not really helpful,” Julia warned.
“I’m sorry, Kyle. There, I said it. Okay? Things got out of hand like they normally do between us. Tensions are running high already with everything that’s happened and is still happening. And with the stakes, particularly for me and Sierra, I just…my temper got the better of me.”
Kyle puckered his lips as he stared down into his scotch and bobbed his head. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Good,” Julia said as she slid her hand around his elbow and offered Kyle an expectant glance.
He glanced at her, a moment of surprise crossing his features. “Oh, me. Right. Uh, sorry, Dad.”
“That’s it?” Grant barked.
“What else do you want?”
Julia offered him a disappointed glance and a small sigh.
“Okay, fine. I’m sorry that I said all that stuff about your past. I’m proof that people can change, so…maybe you can, too.”
“I have changed,” Grant said. “Maybe we’ll work together long enough for you to realize that.”
“I have the same hope. Which is why I’m so disturbed that I haven’t gotten further with this. And…the reason I was really upset when I came in is because…I…” He slurped down another sip of scotch, wiping at his lips with the back of his head. “I think I really messed up with Lydia.”
“What do you mean?” Julia asked.
“I mean…” He shook his head, avoiding her gaze. “I was getting nowhere. And I…pushed. I pushed for more from her. And I think I showed too much of my hand. I think I overplayed it.” He finally raised his eyes to meet theirs. “I think I ruined everything.”
Grant slid his eyes closed, heaving a sigh. Whether he trusted the man enough to believe they were on the same side or not, whatever connection they had into Lydia’s twisted mind might be gone. And they were no closer to defeating her.
Julia slicked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Okay, let’s just take a breath here. What happened exactly?”
Kyle refilled his scotch and took a sip. “She…wasn’t really telling me anything. I kept pushing her, asking her what the plan was, where this was going. She hinted that she had something big coming. And I wanted the details. She told me I wasn’t privy to those. I…accused her of not having any plan. I said she was just playing games. And she got pretty mad about that.”
“But she still didn’t tell you anything.”
“No, and then…I…” His features showed annoyance. “Did what I always do. I crossed the line. I told her if she didn’t tell me, I was out. I didn’t believe she had any plans, and I wouldn’t help her.”
“What did she say?” Julia asked.
“She told me that was fine and that I was dismissed.” He shook his head, his features scrunching. “I messed up, Julia. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “You didn’t mess up. This is salvageable.”
“How?” he asked.
“Lydia’s ego is huge. You can probably get back in her good graces by just…going to her hat in hand and saying you were frustrated but you thought about it, and you want back in. Tell her…tell her you don’t care what the plan is as long as Grant loses everything. Give her some…personal reason…not too deep, just enough to be believable.”
Grant considered her plan, his head bobbing up and down as he thought it over. “She’s right. Lydia would buy that. She wants to feel powerful. Give that to her, and she’ll likely take you back into the fold.”
“But…she’s barely giving me anything now. This is such a setback.”
