Chapter20 " Mr. Fairchild , you made it . " The heavyset man on the sofa arched a brow at him . Only then did Logan recognize him , Mr. Warren . " Mr. Warren . " Logan's eyes narrowed . He glanced at Sloane . How had she become like this ? How could she let someone paw at her ? " You're late , " Warren drawled , pointing at the bottles on the table . " You're late . Down three shots to make up for it . " Logan checked the time . He wasn't late , he was a few minutes early . " Why the hesitation ? You're the one asking for favors , " another man chimed in , an arm hooked possessively around a young actress Logan recognized , someone who had debuted the same year as Sloane . " Can't even drink ? That's not much of an attitude . " Heat crawled up Logan's spine . He surged forward and grabbed Sloane's wrist . " What are you doing ? You're coming with me . " " Let go . " Sloane tore free , chin tilting , eyes sharp . " Do you even understand why you're here ? You're begging Mr. Warren for business . Your CFO got hauled in for embezzlement , men jumped at your city site , your deals are cratering , shouldn't you be a little more desperate ? " He was desperate . Fairchild Development was his father's life's work . Logan would not let it collapse on his watch . He faced Warren . " What will it take to keep working together ? " Warren's smile turned oily . " Tonight I'm not the one calling the shots . Hart is . " He leaned in , pressing a greasy kiss to Sloane's cheek . She didn't pull away , she giggled , clung to his arm , and cooed , " Mr. Warren , you're too good to me . " She even pecked him back. Logan's jaw locked . " Sloane ... " " Mr. Fairchild , " she cut in coolly , " call me Hart . We're not that close . " She sank back onto the sofa , regal and remote . " You want the deal ? Easy . Finish these two bottles of whiskey . " Logan looked at the bottles . Downing them would wreck a man . " What's wrong ? Scared ? " Sloane's laugh was a blade . " Aren't you worried about sinking your father's company ? He trusted you with Fairchild Group before he died , and in just a few years you're going to run it into the ground ? " " Sloane ... you really want me to drink this ? " He could barely recognize her , only days had passed , and it was as if she'd become someone else . " Finish it , or the deal's off . " Hate smoldered in her eyes . Only then did Logan understand , this was revenge . For the company , he had no choice . " Fine , I'll drink . " He uncapped a bottle and tilted it back . After a few long swallows his legs went unsteady . He had never held liquor well ; in the past , he'd only pushed himself because of Sloane . The bitter irony stung , he was doing it for her again . " Keep going , Mr. Fairchild , " Warren said , watching him like a bored spectator at a circus . Mr. Langley lounged beside him, smoking , amused , " Or do you not want the deal ? " Logan forced the rest of the first bottle down . His throat and gut burned like fire ; sweat beaded at his hairline . The second bottle blurred in bis vision . " Mr. Warren , Mr. Langley , I can't take another drop . " His voice rasped . " You've seen my sincerity . Please , let's continue our partnership . " Warren exchanged a look with Langley , then smirked . " Get our Ms. Hart in a good mood , and we'll talk . " Logan lifted his gaze to Sloane . She stared back , expression flat . " Apologize . " " What ? " He thought he'd misheard . " Sloane , what did you say ? " " I said apologize . " Her smile curled , cold and merciless . " No ? Then the deal's off . " Logan's teeth ground together . He lowered himself to his knees in front of her . Even that didn't satisfy her . She lifted her hand and slapped him across the face . " Logan Fairchild , " she said , voice shaking with fury , " you brought this on yourself . Don't love me anymore ? Then I'll show you exactly what that costs . " She slapped him again . And again . Chapter20