No Simple Sacrifice (Secrets of Stone Book 5) Read Free Page B

discovery in mind for when Drake and I got her alone next.
    “So, these are the men from your work? And from the hotel room in Las Vegas?”
    I was tempted to swallow my tongue. Was damn sure Drake had already slam-dunked his. Still, he managed a damn impressive poker face as Mrs. Perizkova stared expectantly at us—not a feat I could come close to touching—while Talia stammered to answer. Her eyes had widened with the force of a new expression, though whether it was embarrassment or frustration, I couldn’t be sure.
    “Mama!” she finally blurted. “I explained that to you how many times now?”
    “Don’t be sassy with me, young lady.” It was clear where Talia had learned her ability for fierce glares. “You aren’t too old to be taken over my knee.”
    Now my dick rose to full attention. Not one bit appropriate given the time, the place, or the company, but the thought of that perfectly shaped ass bent over for a few swats? Jesus Christ .
    Drake’s cough shook me from my musings. The pained look on his face told me his imagination had just eased on down the same dirty road as mine. Luckily, Poker Face recovered more quickly. With a smooth-as-whiskey smile, he leaned forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Your daughter is an amazing asset to the team at Stone Global, especially with all of her new responsibilities. I was just speaking to the owner, Killian Stone, about a possible promotion.”
    Talia glared at Drake. Yeah, glared . Who the hell glared about a promotion?
    Mrs. Perizkova provided the answer to that quickly enough. “Hmmph. ‘New responsibilities’. She already works too much for a woman. It’s no wonder she’s first in line to become the next family spinster.”
    “ Mama !”
    “It’s true, Natalia. And since these men are your bosses, someone needs to speak up for you, if you’re not going to do it for yourself.”
    Talia put her face in her hands, physically shrinking once more. Watching the change in her was like getting wrapped in barbed wire. I refused to stand by and let it happen a second time, no matter how it affected the way her mother viewed me. I wasn’t here for Perizkova brownie points.
    Instinctively, I tightened a hand on Talia’s shoulder until she raised her face for me. Only after ensuring her undivided focus did I finally speak.
    “You are an amazing, talented, smart, and necessary part of our team. No one knows that better than Drake and me. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You singlehandedly organized an entire product line launch. SGC would never be enjoying its exposure and success without you.”
    Before Tolly could voice a peep in response, I turned on her mother—the woman who should have been building her up, not tearing her down.
    “Your daughter is in a league of her own among her peers, Mrs. Perizkova. If we were standing at SGC headquarters right now, I guarantee you I’d be backed by hundreds more voices. She has a promising future because of her insightfulness, awareness, and compassion. It would probably be best if you came to terms with that truth.” When Tolly fidgeted beneath my hold, I clamped my grip tighter. “More importantly, this is what she wants. She has too much to contribute to the world to be sitting on the sidelines repopulating the earth. Not that I have anything against children”—I tossed a weary look around at the little princess mobs still running about—“but she is young and just hitting her professional stride. I can only imagine her abilities if she had a little family support.”
    Silence. Well, what could pass for it in this place.
    Everyone, including Drake and Talia, just stared at me. Gawked? I couldn’t—and wouldn’t—debate the point. Right now, for Talia’s sake, I hoped I hadn’t gone too far overboard, and would be forgiven the outburst. I sure as hell wouldn’t be taking it back. No way could I bear witness as her own mother whittled her self-esteem. It hit way too close to home.