“Of course,” the woman said, sounding promisingly pleased to actually have me on the phone.

I pressed the mute button and pinned my father with eyes that I knew were the same exact shade of gray as his. “Doing this will almost certainly get us enough goodwill to make Valle Mar happy. But I have conditions.” My father did not like being told what to do. He also knew this could likely save our ass.

“Fine.”

I ignored the grudging tone in his voice and turned my attention to Cecilia, who was looking at me with a surprised expression. I was never this stern with my father. Him being the only parent I’d had since my mother had taken off... I had my fair share of daddy issues. But this was happening on my terms.

“I will call the shots, they are interested in me, you get no say on how I do this.” He opened his mouth to protest, but I shot him down again. “That’s not all. I’m probably going to be out of town while filming and I want Cecilia, and only Cecilia, to run point for Valle Mar. She’s done most of the heavy lifting for this deal anyway, and when I come back...”

I could see my father’s molars grinding under the skin, but he nodded.

“I want to explore doing some solo projects and I’d like for Cecilia to head up the day-to-day.” My stepmother liked to pretend like my father’s bullshit didn’t get to her, but I could see the eagerness in her eyes.

“We’ll have to discuss this further,” my father offered in place of a yes. “I’m not getting bullied by you.” I moved my hand like I was about to hang up the phone and he threw up his hands. “Fine, if Cecilia wants more responsibility that is fine with me,” he conceded like he didn’t know it was the right thing to do. “But you have to be back here in a month for the signing.” I knew not to expect him to just let me have something without making demands of his own. “I don’t want absolutely anything jeopardizing this, Theodoro Anibal.”

“I’ll be here for the signing,” I agreed, and Cecilia’s smile got wider with every word. In my head I was already laying things out. Streamflix was eager enough to have me that they’d likely agree to bring on a designer I suggested. I just had to sell them on the idea. I could do that. I was usually a very effective negotiator...unless said negotiating was with my former PA.

I hit the button for the speaker phone as my father and stepmother slid out of the room. “Miss Billings, Theo Ganas here.”

“I am surprised you took my call.” She got the dig in, but she didn’t sound mad.