He was going to say more but stopped. He never talked about family stuff with anyone except Jackson and his brothers. Battling for the business he dreamed of running since he was eighteen was a constant frustration for him. He thought he’d earned it, but no.
“But you eventually convinced him.” She leaned in. “You’re the big boss now. Right?”
“I’m in charge of the day-to-day operations, but there’s no guarantee it’s permanent. There are some…things I need to accomplish first.” Derrick pivoted off that subject before he divulged something he didn’t mean to divulge. “The only reason my father isn’t here, picking every move apart, is because he’s in love.”
Derrick heard the snide edge to his voice but didn’t bother trying to hide it. The idea of his father spending his days laughing and drinking after having spent so many years making his sons’ lives a constant competition, pitting them against each other and punishing them for any perceived failure, rubbed Derrick raw.
Ellie blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Wife number four.”
“Oh.” Ellie’s mouth dropped open. “Do we like her?”
“Thanks to Jackie, my father is testing out possible retirement far away on a beach in Tortola.” He laughed. “So, yes.”
“Your family is not dull.”
No kidding. “And since you commented on my businesses, you should know I have no financial interest in the gas station across the street. I wish I did because I think my tank is almost empty.”
“You’ll probably buy that next week.”
Since she sounded amused by his comments he played along, happy to move off a subject that kept him up at night worrying. Off the fear his father would show up and take it all away without warning. Derrick would survive, of course, but he wanted the family business and the family that went with it. “If I find some extra time at lunch to buy a multimillion-dollar venture, sure.”
“Ellie.”
Her smile disappeared as she looked up at their unwanted dinner guest. “Mr. Cantor.”
Joe Cantor, Ellie’s former boss, stood at the edge of the table. A guy known to have a wandering eye and a big mouth. He wasn’t half the businessman he thought he was. The only thing that saved him was a mix of old family money and a forgiving wife. As far as Derrick was concerned, the wife could do a lot better than Joe—a man still trying to live off his former reputation as a big-man-on-campus almost two decades later.
Joe glanced at Derrick then focused on Ellie again. “I’ve been reading about the two of you.”
Yeah, Derrick was done. “And I’ve been reading about you.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I thought you’d like to explain why Ellie was fired.” Derrick didn’t bother lowering his voice. He wanted people to know how little he thought about Joe’s fake dismissal story. “Right here. To my face. In front of her. Let her finally tell her side.”
Joe’s smirk didn’t waver. “Look, it’s over. You two are together now.”
“Clearly.” Before tonight Derrick didn’t think much of Joe. Now he thought even less. This intimidation tactic was a clear misstep. A smart guy wouldn’t have tried it.
“Whatever happened between us—”
“Nothing.” Ellie’s eyebrow lifted as she stared Joe down. “Nothing happened between us. Ever.”
Joe shook his head. “Ellie, it’s okay. It’s done.”
“Not really.” Derrick hated this guy now. “She’s still waiting on your apology.”
For the first time Joe’s mouth fell into a flat line. “What?”
“I don’t like when people make up stories about my woman.”
Ellie made a humming noise. “My woman? Do we like that phrase?”
“Too much?” Derrick asked, seeing in Ellie’s eyes that she was enjoying Joe’s public takedown. Derrick looked at Joe again, who didn’t appear as smug now. “Then ignore the word choice, but the result is the same. One more false word about her coming on to you—which we both know is complete bullshit—and you get to fight me.”
Joe let out a pathetic strangled laugh and did a quick glance around. “Are you threatening me, Derrick?”
“I’m actually threatening your business. I thought that was obvious.” He glanced at Ellie. “No?”
She put her hand over his. “I thought you were very clear.”
“Thank you, dear.” Derrick winked at Ellie then turned to Joe again. “Clean up the misunderstanding about her firing and then keep your mouth shut, and we’re good. Maybe she’ll even decide not to sue you.”