She nodded and followed him upstairs. Her anger mounted like a horse trapped in a pen, ready to race.

Whoever had decided to mess with her life, whether it was Robert, Sri, or some other idiot, they were going to find out exactly how she dealt with her enemies. How dare someone use her secrets against her? How dare they try to hurt Ajay?

As a plan began to form in her mind, she knew that she was about to play the biggest game she’d played in business and in her life. She just hoped that Ajay’s promise for partnership would stay steadfast when it was all over.

Fifteen minutes later, Ajay slipped out the basement apartment exit, and Raj put in a call to Harnette.

“I need to know what your email inbox looks like.”

Harnette let out a whoosh of air. “Let’s just say that the sales team is getting a few calls from our clients, and that’s the good news.”

Raj’s heart clenched, and she hated herself for it. She lived her life according to her own terms, and no one had the right to judge her.

“I need you to set up a press conference.”

There was silence on the other end of the line.

“Harnette?”

“Raj, you don’t even agree to interviews. You’re going to do a press conference?”

She looked at the half-empty bag packed and sitting on her bed. “Yes,” she said. “Today. This evening.”

“Okay, then. I trust you, boss. I’ll make it happen.”

Chapter Twenty-Two
Ajay

Ajay thought about kindergarten as he rode into the office. It was his earliest memory of knowing what he wanted to be when he grew up. His teacher had asked him to do a project where he dressed up and spoke to the class about his dreams.

He’d worn a suit and said he planned on leading a business like his father.

As he grew older, he knew his class project had just been a pipe dream. His brother was being groomed for the position. Besides, he couldn’t code like Zail or negotiate like Hem. All he had was determination and passion.

Now, as Ajay stepped out of his car and strode directly into his office building, he knew he needed to stop dreaming, to stop thinking that he couldn’t do the job that he’d always aspired to. He came from a long line of warriors, and he had to fight for what he wanted.

Rafael met him at the front entrance of the office, tablet in hand. “I cleared your schedule from now until the two o’clock meeting except for one commitment. The land developers out in Napa Valley need an answer today, so I left them on your calendar. Hopefully that’s a quick one.”