Phoenix Rising Issue #3 - S. R. Watson Page 0,42

and my mother, of all people, cheated with his twin. Nothing is ever as it seems. How can I trust when I’m being lied to at every turn?

I leave Melissa to think about my last remark. I just wish she would have the decency to come clean and share how she fits into Trevor’s plan to take over our company. It’s highly unlikely, so she’ll just have to face the retribution from the Phoenix she’s conjured up. Challenge accepted. Back to step one.

I decide to go for that run after all. I need the mental clarity it affords. I’ll get a run in and wait for Sevyn to call me back.

“Want some breakfast?” Lily asks as I enter the living room. “I made some omelets, but I made an egg white one in case you haven’t eaten.”

“Thanks, Lil. That was super sweet. I’m headed for a run first, so I’ll get it when I get back for sure.”

The thought of omelets reminds me of Harlow and the feast I had on her pussy after she made one for me. I’m guessing she’s still upstairs. She and Ivy are the only two missing. Although Ivy has been missing in action a lot lately. She’s been seeing some dude, which is more than fine by me.

“Not a problem. I’ll just put it in the microwave for you.”

I nod before heading out. Time to mentally plan my attack for this upcoming interview. I can’t wait to tell Claude and Sevyn how I’m going to flip this shit on its head. But first, I have some explaining to do.

Chapter Fifteen

Harlow

I’ve stalled going downstairs as long as I could. Three hours of finishing my romance novel followed by a long soak in the tub. Lily knocked on the bathroom door about an hour ago to tell me the guys had no rehearsal today. Apparently, Phoenix has some interview down in Houston, and Melissa left with him. They guys are grilling on the beach until it’s time to tune into the interview. My stomach grumbles for the fourth time since then. My granola bar and banana are wearing off. I change into a pair of cutoffs and a tank. I have no plans to get in the water. I just need to get some food in me. I’m thankful Melissa left as well. I’m not in the mood to face her.

I pad down downstairs, only to find everybody glued to the flat screen in the living room.

“Turn it up,” Killian shouts. “There’s Phoenix.”

And there he is in HD. He crosses a jeans-clad leg over his knee and sinks back into the leather. He runs a single hand through his hair, giving the host a charming smile. His band tee clings to his muscular chest … just pure perfection. The questions start simple enough. He begins by telling a little about the band, but the interview quickly transitions into questions about the recent twin scandal and Beck Investment Firm. The room goes quiet as we listen to how Phoenix will handle this.

He explains that there was never a scandal. He confirms that his father is indeed terminal and his last trip out of the country was to plan how he wanted to move forward with handing over the reins of the company he worked so hard to build. He gave the controlling shares to Sevyn in case he didn’t survive the trip. He further explains he was a contingency plan in the interest of joint ownership should those reins be passed on to Sevyn prematurely. Claude not only knew about it but also gave the plan his blessing. Without going into specifics, he informs the hosts that a threat has been launched at his family’s company—one that he can’t divulge, but that was the reason for the transfer of controlling shares. His father is protecting what he’s built as well as his shareholders and board members.

I’m not sure if it’s all true, but the woman interviewing looks satisfied with his reasoning. She thanks him for the exclusive and iterates that The Round Table wanted to get his perspective out there. Then she asks one last question—a loaded question that Phoenix uses to turn the whole damn interview on its head. She asks him if there anything else he wanted to share … to set the record straight.

“I have a penchant for control,” he admits.

“Oooh, okay,” the woman says, unsure of the relevancy or what to do with that answer.

“That control filters into the bedroom,” he explains, now