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Dante joins us and looks at me. “What’s put you in a bad mood, Bella?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the two of you.” I cross my arms and look at my brothers. “What exactly did you want to discuss with me this morning, Knox?”
“I was hoping you’d have the accounts for the first two nights.”
“And I told you I’d have them for you. But can I remind you that this is my business. Not yours. Abel, you didn’t even bother to turn up. Just because you’ve had a report that it’s doing well doesn’t mean you can come in and take over. It’s my hard work that’s got it running.”
“Calm down. It’s still yours.” Knox placates me, but Abel just keeps his eyes on me like he’s trying to decide something.
“Then why are you making decisions about the girls and Carmen without me?”
“Carmen is experienced and knows what she’s doing,” Abel says.
“Implying that I’m not. No. I’m not having that. I’ve built this up from an empty fucking apartment building.”
“Yes, and you’ve done well, but-”
“No buts, Knox. You gave me this, and I’ve proved myself.” I make sure I deliver that line directly to Abel. “You don’t take it away as my reward. You show me you trust me to turn my projected profit and return my investment. Neither of you know the details of how we run, the bookings or the client list.”
“They are our clients. Half of them have been involved in auctions here.” Knox counters.
“Fine. They’re our clients, but when they are at Apartment B, they are mine. I deliver the service they are paying for. I oversee every aspect, including security. So I’d appreciate it if you back off.”
“It’s not as easy as that to run a business, Mariana.”
“So what, you were willing to let me burn a million dollars on renovations and purchasing to have it fail? You weren’t interested before. Now you can see it’s a success you suddenly want in? Screw you. I’m so fucking over your attitude. If this was Shaw’s project, there would be none of this. He’d never be able to pull this off. You’re always playing the protective family card. Why don’t you start acting like it, tell me your proud, and give me a fucking break.” I storm away, furious that they treat me like this.
“Bella. Come back.” Dante calls, but I ignore him.
I grab my keys and leave, unable to be in the same room as them. What right do they think they have? This goes well beyond trusting me or brotherly concern. This is just Abel wanting to take over everything.
I pull out of the drive but get to the gate and see it closed. I hit the automatic release, but it doesn’t work. We still have security on site, and a staff member usually runs the gate entry. Leaving the engine running, I exit the car and hit the intercom on the side wall.
“Somebody better get this gate open!” I yell into it.
“I’m sorry, Miss Mariana. Mr Cortez already phoned down to keep the gates closed.”
Fucking Abel.
“Well, I live here. He doesn’t. So I suggest you open the gate before I smash through it and have you cover the bill for the gate and the car.”
“Miss Mariana.”
“I’m fucking serious. Now!” I scream at the box.
First, my mother, now I can’t even leave after a fight.
I rev the engine and inch the car forward, before reversing and revving again. He’ll be able to see on the cameras. Finally, the electronic whir sounds and the gates swing open. I barely get through without scraping the side of the car; I’m so irate.
Is it too much to ask to just be treated like any of the Cortezes?
Fine, if they want a Cortez, I’ll show them a Cortez.
I have work to do.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
KAI
