perspective. “Holden cares,” she repeated. “Why? He knew Violet had a past.”
Poppy didn’t know the specifics of their conversations. Still, Holden couldn’t have expected Violet to be a virgin; she hadn’t been locked in a tower waiting for true love’s first kiss.
“From how I understand it, these guys have history. Abernathy’s on the cusp of forty, used to getting what he wants, when he wants… He’s not used to the women in his life screwing around with other guys.”
Closing her eyes, Poppy crossed her legs beneath the blanket. “Screwing around? Violet hasn’t been with Trey for years.” Except the unflinching certainty in Preston’s deliberate gaze told a different story. “Oh my God, she was screwing around with Trey while she was with Holden?”
“Hanover told her not to go through with it.”
“The wedding? Because he was in love with her?”
Poppy didn’t understand what Violet’s affair had to do with her or Holden’s actions at the altar. But being who she was, a tale of passion and romance was always going to draw her in.
“Because Hanover and Abernathy have both been in negotiations with a third party regarding acquisition of assets. It’s all about business.”
Well, that was disappointing. “They’re going after the same deal?”
“Have been for a while, more than a year. Hanover thinks it will make him, get him out from his father’s shadow. Abernathy, as I’m learning is his way, just wants to win. He doesn’t need it, he just doesn’t want Hanover to succeed.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s younger, more attractive, used to screw his fiancée, who knows? The Hanovers have been edging deeper into the biotech field for a while, don’t think Abernathy likes them poaching from him.”
“If the deals are out there, aren’t they fair game? It shouldn’t be seen as poaching… Unless Trey is making a point of chasing down what Holden wants for some reason.”
“I don’t know,” Preston said, exhaling and sinking against the back of the chair. “It doesn’t matter. The point is they don’t like each other. The point is Violet was in both of their beds at the same time, planning her wedding to one, maybe feeding one or both of them information, I don’t know.”
“What has that got to do with me?”
“He wants to hurt her,” Preston said.
“Why not just expose the affair? Tell the world about it.”
“Because Abernathy wants to save face and because your family are still a lucrative option.”
Ire struck her hard. “A lucrative option?” Poppy said, tossing the blanket aside. “I’ll show him lucrative option.”
Before she could get out of bed, Turner appeared from the bathroom, clothed, but running his fingers through his damp hair. He took one look at her, then laid the next on his friend.
Turner’s hands dropped to his sides. “What happened?”
“Holden Abernathy is an asshole, that’s what happened,” Poppy said, leaping to her feet. “I’m going to his damn house. I’ll show up on his doorstep, maybe take the press train with me! See how he likes that!”
Marching toward the door, Poppy fully intended to do exactly that. Anger burned so hot inside her that steam seemed to cloud her vision.
“Whoa,” Turner said, sliding in front of her to block her route and take her upper arms. “You knew Abernathy was an asshole, you’ve known it a while.”
“I’m a lucrative option,” she snapped. “Did you know that?”
“I did,” he said, wearing a smile. “Why do you think we’re getting married?”
No way Poppy was in the mood for jokes. “First—”
“Look, whatever he did, we’re going to figure it out,” he said, walking her backward in the direction of the bed. “Whatever the plan, it’ll involve you less naked and alone.”
It hadn’t even really registered that she was only wearing his tee-shirt, she hadn’t even combed her hair or brushed her teeth. Not that it mattered in the haze of her fury. If Turner hadn’t got in her way, Poppy would be calling for a car and dialing the tabloids.
He sat her down on the end of the bed and turned to his friend.
Preston filled him in. “Violet was screwing around with Hanover while she was with Abernathy.”
“Who’s Hanover?” Turner asked.
“Violet’s ex-boyfriend,” Poppy said. A question for the lawyer popped into her mind. “How do you know all this? How do you know any of it is true?”
“I have a credible source.”
Something the press would probably say just to goad a quote out of someone.
“Who?” Poppy asked. “You can’t go around slandering my sister without good cause. If this is something out of one of those ridiculous