“It’d be best for you to carry your ass away from this fucking table. Now.” I keep my voice down but say it sternly, ready to bulldoze them out of here if need be.

Cora laughs, putting her hands up defensively. “You really should’ve let us sue him, Marnie. I only speak the truth.”

“Truth, huh?” Steeling herself with a deep breath and her forced smile, Marina locks eyes with Cora. “It’s a family business. He’s a Tripp. They’re all funding me. That’s the truth.”

“It’s a farce, regardless.”

“No, it’s competition,” Marina quips confidently. “This little engagement reminds me of that time you got defensive when one of our best vendors threatened to leave—Cora the Conquerer came out in full force. You have no reason to antagonize me now, unless…”

Marina giggles, slapping her hand on the table.

“… Oh, my goodness! I see right through you. You’re worried.”

“Ridiculous!”

“No, you are. Look at your little forehead lines,” Marina coos. “Has the G&G dented your profits already?”

Cora gapes, silent for once. Wes and Ashe share a bothered look. Holy shit, Marina’s right.

Marina shrugs and shakes her head. “No wonder you still want me to skedaddle out of town. Well, sorry-not-sorry. I’m staying. Now that that’s settled, I suggest going to your table because you’re making your guest uncomfortable, and, you know, optics.”

The word breaks out of Marina like a trapped animal, pissed and hungry. Fuck, even I have chills. Cora shudders, taking in the room again and stepping away.

Then, Marina says, casually glancing from Cora to Ashe, “I write my own narrative now. I wish you’d do the same.”

Ashe looks puzzled before he drapes an arm over his mom’s shoulder and pulls her away.

“Have a nice dinner,” Marina tacks on like a champ. “Oh, and Elise, good to see you. Hope you’re enjoying that promotion.”

The bouncy blonde isn’t so happy as she moves away from the table.

“Damn, that was some badass pirate shit,” I tell her.

She grins. “It’s hard not to scream and jump up and down, knowing that the G&G is making them nervous. Can you believe it?”

“You can do anything. Of course, I believe it.”

She blushes and tuts, staring at her menu. “I trained Elise at the same time as Wren. Now, she has my old job, a different title, of course, and my old boyfriend. Creepy.”

I don’t know what to say—that Cora’s dropped my secret and Marina isn’t storming out of here should mean it’s okay. Cora tried to use it against us and failed.

But her smile wanes.

I breathe out a heavy sigh. “Are you mad? Is this you not letting them break you?”