into the kitchen. We both wash our hands before heading back out.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” says Ethan as we return.
At least I look okay. The hairdresser and makeup artist gave me lessons yesterday. While he may not like what I’m doing, he can’t disapprove of my appearance. “Ethan. Nice to see you again.”
“She can’t be doing this,” he says to his little brother. “What’ll people think?”
“Do people think? That’s the real question.” Beck’s frown is not quite as fierce as his brother’s, but it’s not bad. “And as far as I’m concerned, she can do whatever she wants. Currently, she’s choosing to help run this business. A family business until the sale goes through. How can you possibly fault her for that?”
“You want the board to take you seriously or not?”
“Of course I do.”
“Having your new girlfriend join the kitchen staff is not the way to go about it,” growls Ethan. “I realize her employment options are limited, given her experience. But if you need to keep her busy then Emma can get her involved in some charities or something more suitable.”
My fingers curl into fists. Confrontation sucks, but I’m not about to stand here and take this. “Could we not talk about me like I’m not here, please?”
“You had Alice investigated?” asks Beck, his face still and voice cold.
“Of course we did.” His brother doesn’t even hesitate. Like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Damn creep. “Most positive thing I can say about her is that I almost fell asleep reading the report. I know Dad setting you up with Selah pissed you off, but did you have to hit back by finding a woman who encapsulates average to quite this degree?”
Beck’s jaw is rigid.
“But then you’ve always had a weakness for unloved and neglected things. It’s how you first got your hands on this hotel.”
Ouch.
But he isn’t finished yet. “I suppose I should be relieved it’s not some coked-up pop princess on your arm like last time.”
“That’s enough,” I say, teeth gritted. My parents raised me to be nice, to be polite. But I’m not into being a doormat. Some people are just never going to like you for whatever reason and that’s life. “You’ve said your piece, Ethan, and rest assured we’re all in awe at your level of dickery. It’s time, however, for you to think about leaving.”
Ethan’s nostrils flare in anger.
And the suit beside him makes a strangled sort of noise.
I care not. “Look around you; you’re causing a scene. People are watching and listening and soon this’ll be talked about all over town. Of course, no one expects any better from the likes of me. But you…that’s not very Elliot behavior now, is it?”
Beck bites back a smile.
“I need you at that meeting tomorrow, Beck.” Ethan’s face is tense. “Don’t be late.”
“I’ll be there,” says Beck.
With a final glare thrown in my direction, his brother strides away with dude number three hot on his heels. The fourth member of the group, however, gives me a warm smile. “Nice to see you again, Alice.”
“Matías. Hi.”
A new waitress emerges from out back and Isaac gives me a smile. Guess I’m done waitressing for the day.
Without saying a word, Beck takes my hand and leads me toward the elevators. I didn’t tell any lies. People are indeed watching. Matías follows a couple of steps behind us. But it isn’t until we’re in an elevator heading up to the apartment that the scene is discussed.
“Is dickery even a word?” asks Beck.
Matías cocks his head. “If it isn’t, it should be. And your older brother’s behavior certainly encapsulates the very essence of it.”
“I hope you’re not angry at me,” I say. “But I’d kind of had enough. There’s constructive feedback and then there’s character assassination and his little speech was closer to the latter. For both of us.”
“You were absolutely perfect.” Beck raises my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a girlfriend who’d been willing to protect me from Ethan before. I like it.”
Phew. “What do you think is in the file on me?”
“Try not to let it worry you,” says Matías. “They have files on everyone.”
Beck smiles and says a whole lot of nothing.
“Coked-up pop princess?” I ask.
The smile falls from his face. “That was a long time ago.”
“Months,” agrees Matías.
“Years.”
“Years is plural.”
“Fine. More than a year ago, then.” Beck frowns. “Don’t make me look bad in front of my girl, you asshole.”