My brothers had good taste. It ran in the family.
The modern furniture was well placed with distinct artwork, but the shining crown of the space was the view. It didn’t get any better than this.
Other than maybe my apartment with Ava inside.
“You still seeing the doctor?” Devin asked, his gaze curious.
“I am.” I nodded, sitting back in my black leather chair as my laptop came to life.
“Do you think it’ll go anywhere?”
I hoped to hell it did, but I didn’t want to tell my brother, who’d tell my other brothers, who’d tell my mom, and it would die before it ever lifted off the ground. I felt like we were right there, at that moment where you’d fall all the way or not at all.
“We’ll see.”
Devin’s lip curled slightly. “Want to grab some lunch after the meeting with Summit?”
He saw right through me.
“I’m already busy.”
“Is that so? I didn’t see anything on your calendar.”
“It’s personal.”
Devin laughed and tapped the door on his way out. “I bet it is.”
Greta knocked on my door and I called her in.
“Appointment is here.” She stepped inside and closed the door. “Seems like a nice family.”
“Not nice enough to take the business over for him, or they wouldn’t be here,” I pointed out, and Greta gave a quick nod.
“Possibly. I wanted you to know you’re doing a good job. Your dad would be really proud of how you’ve stepped right into your role.”
“I had little choice.” I smiled.
“Everyone has a choice, Blake. You did too.”
I drew in a breath and stood up, buttoning my jacket and giving a quick glance out the window.
“I suppose I did.” I picked up the file and made my way toward her. “And I suppose I chose this.”
“I think you chose right.” She winked at me and opened the door. “Coffee and pastries are already set up. If you need anything, just buzz.”
“Thank you, Greta.”
She walked to her desk, and I joined my brother on the way to the conference room, where several men sat. My eyes fell to the elderly man, and I knew he didn’t have much longer. I held out my hand and greeted him.
“Carl Summit,” he said, his handshake still firm. “These are my advisors.”
Attorneys.
So much for having a nice family. These men were just paid to wear smiles.
“Please, have a seat.”
It didn’t take long to skip the pleasantries and get to business.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat things. Would I prefer my sons take over and grow my business? Absolutely.” He cleared his throat. “But those weren’t the kind of sons I raised, so I want to make sure my wife is well taken care of.”
“And your sons?” I asked.
A cynical smile spread across his lips. “They’ll be on their own for the first time in their lives.”
Devin shifted in his seat.
“It will be quite the surprise for them.” He tangled his fingers and leaned into the conference table. “So let’s get to the nitty gritty. I’ve met with several other companies who are interested in acquiring both the brand and our assets. Our top offer is fifteen million with a ten percent royalty for the first six years, falling to a five percent royalty after that.”
My brother squared his shoulders and drew in a deep breath.
“Is the royalty structure important to you?” I asked him.
“Not in the least bit, but that’s the best offer on the table.”
“We’re prepared to offer a flat seventeen million, no royalty agreement.” I slid the paper across the table. “That would include both brand and assets, as well as all talent.”
“Interesting.”
“What’s interesting?” I asked.
“No one mentioned retaining our employees.”
“We don’t make it a habit of buying companies to displace workers.”
A smile crept onto Carl’s face and he barely glanced at his men. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
I shook Carl’s hand and showed myself out of the conference room as our legal team made their way in.
The most important thing was to lock down any deal the moment they were on board. If you gave a person time to think about it, they often thought up too many reasons to not move forward. Business was like soccer. You needed quick responses and an even faster team to carry you to victory. There was no doubt having Wolf Industries behind us would continue to solidify us as leaders on and off the streets of Manhattan.
“Nice work,” Devin whispered in my office. “But why not offer him sixteen million and a lesser royalty agreement?”
“Because I know we’ll grow Summit’s business faster than what they predict, and we’d wind up paying more than our best and final at seventeen.”
“I guess some people are just born with it.” Devin flashed a grin. “I’ll let Jax know. He’ll be pleased.”
“I’m sure he will.” I glanced at the clock.
Ava was going to be here in fewer than ten minutes. She had the day off since she was scheduled to work on Sunday.
My pulse quickened just at the thought of getting to see her again. I didn’t doubt this was the real thing. My worry was that she did. It was like every time we took a few steps forward, she jumped back ten. I knew it was an uphill battle, but I felt certain she was worth it and I hoped she felt I was too.
Maybe that was why I wanted her to come here today so she could see that we ran a legitimate company no matter what was inside those pages she had on her desk.
“Mr. Volkov, a young woman named Ava Dalton is here to see you.”
I heard her laughter come through the speakerphone, and my body instantly responded. Not a great look for walking around the office.
“Thanks. I’ll be right out.” I hung up the phone and stood up, adjusting myself and the suit that had fit comfortably until Ava walked in.
I sucked in a deep breath and made my way out to the reception area, where Ava was chatting away with Greta. That was just Ava. She was infectious, and her interest in people never stopped.
“Hey, babe.”
Ava turned around and blushed while Greta’s grin grew wider. Ava was dressed in a pair of tight jeans that stretched over her wide hips perfectly and a crimson sweater that skimmed her breasts and tugged with each movement, making my imagination go wild.
“Hey.” Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that could drop me to my knees if I let it, but I was at work and didn’t need anyone noticing how much I’d fallen for this woman.
“Ready for lunch?”
“All I had was a latte this morning, so I’m more than ready.”
“There’s a place down the street that has out-of-this-world burgers.”
“I can’t wait.”
Greta wandered off to the copy room, and I immediately pulled Ava into me, touching my lips to hers and tasting the sweetness I’d craved all morning. She let out a tiny moan, and I nearly lost it in the middle of our lobby, having to break free.
“You’re trouble,” I murmured.
“I could say the same.”
“I hope you do.”
A gleam flashed through her gaze and she giggled.
I took her hand in mine and we exited through the glass doors and waited for the elevator.
“Do you always have men stationed outside your office?” she asked.
“Yes.”
We stepped into the elevator full of people, and she let go of my hand as we found places to stand. I stole a look at her and couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have her.
I did have her, didn’t I? I bit my lip and looked toward the ceiling as the carriage carried us down to the lobby. The moment the elevator chimed and everyone spilled out around us, I felt centered again. We got to spend so little time together that I didn’t want to miss a second.
She sid
led up to me and looped her arm around mine as we walked outside and down the sidewalk. There was a great restaurant a block over, and it was nice to enjoy the walk over with her. The brisk air scattered the few leaves that remained on the sidewalk.
“It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away,” she said, resting her head against my arm.
“It’s been a crazy autumn so far,” I agreed. “Do you have any plans?”
“I’m making the turkey for my dad, his girlfriend, his girlfriend’s daughter . . .” She laughed. “And whoever’s at the station who might be alone. It usually starts with needing a turkey for seven to eight people and grabbing a ham the night before to make enough food for twelve or thirteen, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. What about you?”
“All the family will be at Oyster Cove. Drake and Mia will be there, and Luke and his wife.”
“Luke Fletcher?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Please tell him thank you. I still feel so . . .”
“Don’t.” I kissed the top of her head, and the familiar vanilla scent swirled around me.
“My dad told me he’s still waiting for an invoice.”
“Well, he’ll be waiting for a long time.”
“I think he’s starting to realize that.”
We made it to the restaurant, which was packed, but the hostess showed us to a small booth for two in a quiet corner overlooking the empty patio seating.
“Thank you,” I told her, sliding the hostess a twenty.
“Is that how it always works for you?” Ava asked.
“What?” I was unsure of what she was talking about.
“The money.”
I smiled and shook my head. “No, but when something’s important to me, I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
“A burger is that important to you?” Her brow arched and she hid a smile.
“No. You are.”
The server came over and filled our water glasses. I ordered for both of us and the server left the table.
“I talked to my dad.”
“About what, in particular?” I asked. “Aside from him waiting for the invoice.”
“About us.”
“Us?” Hearing that word from her made my heartrate accelerate.
She nodded.
“And?” I knew by the look in her eyes that it wasn’t something I’d want to hear.
“He has a lot of concerns.” She shifted in her seat and her breathing quickened, making her chest lift with each breath. It was beyond difficult to not want to blow off the afternoon and take her back to my place. Technically, I could do it, but that wasn’t how I operated. “And so do I.”
“About what, in particular?” I asked, leaning in slightly.
“What a future would be like.” Our eyes locked and I saw the worry dash through her.
“It’s an impossible thing to predict.”
She placed her napkin on her lap without taking her eyes off me.
“We’re from two different worlds. I understand your life is filled with many obligations to your family, your work, your—”
“You. I want my life to be filled with you.” I adjusted my suit jacket and sat back. “Ava, since you came into my life, I haven’t been the same.”
Her eyes stayed on mine and the restaurant fell away.
“Soccer was my passion. It saved me. After my sister’s death, my behavior spiraled out of control. I drank too much, slept with too many women, and didn’t care about my life much at all. Getting to play for the MLS changed all of that.”
“And then that guy ripped it away,” she said softly.
“But it brought me you.” My voice was low.
“What if I’m a rebound?” Her brow arched.
“There’s no way you’re a rebound.” I smiled, thinking it was the cutest statement I’d ever heard. “I have every intention of fulfilling my duties to this family, but that doesn’t bar me from making a life separate from them. You excite me, Ava. You make me think of an us, instead of a me.”
“I feel like I’m on the edge of making the biggest decision of my life, and it makes no sense.”
“It makes all the sense in the world, Ava.” I smiled. “We’re talking about a future together. Right?”
“I’d like to try it. I’d like to try a relationship.” Her eyes filled with excitement and something else neither of us dared admit was happening.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ava
I wasn’t sure what I’d agreed to with Blake, but whatever it was, it felt amazing. I knew neither of us knew what the future held, and he certainly carried a lot of baggage.
But so did I.
It was kind of a relief to know we were both headed into this with low expectations. Neither of us was perfect, and we weren’t hinging unrealistic expectations on how we felt for one another.
The truth was that I couldn’t get him out of my mind. I loved everything about him, but most importantly, I loved how he made me feel like I could conquer anything.
It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and I was making my rounds with Nina by my side. I was looking over the charts of one of Dr. Silian’s patients before going into the therapy room, but my thoughts drifted back to Blake.
In a perfect world, Blake would come over to my dad’s house for Thanksgiving, but neither of us were masochists, and we actually wanted a shot at making this relationship work.
I flipped the chart and reviewed the last few notes before unlocking the door and stepping inside. Two correction officers were stationed at the door for these sessions. In this room, a clear Lexan partition separated the patient from the doctor. We generally used this room when the patients were prone to violent outbursts.
I took a seat, and the door buzzed open with a correctional officer leading in the patient. His name was Trent Wallace, but he only responded to Mercury. The chains clanked as the CO moved the patient to his chair and sat him down. The CO separated Mercury’s wrists and locked them onto the table.
The patient hadn’t bothered looking in my direction since he entered. He might have even thought Dr. Silian was sitting in my chair.
“Thank you, Charles,” I told the CO before he left the room.
Mercury’s eyes flew to mine, and he opened his mouth, revealing very few teeth, but two had been filed to near points.
“You’re not Dr. Silian.”
“No, I’m not. I’m—”
“I know who you are,” Mercury snapped. “You’re Dr. Dalton.”
His hands were splayed on the table. He began lifting up each finger and tapping it down in a steady rhythm as he studied me. All the doctors at this facility were free to step into any group sessions, and we often covered for one another due to illness or holiday schedules, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to be known to more patients than just our own. Yet, when I looked at Mercury, I could tell there was more he wanted to say.
“Dr. Silian noted that you’ve been making great strides when discussing—”
“I’m tired of talking about myself all the time. I want to talk about you.”
“I’m sorry, Mercury, but that’s not how these sessions work. We can either stick to the plan or I can have Charlie escort you back to your room.”
Mercury slammed his palms on the table, the chains clanking right behind as he glared at me.
“Do you know what I do to women who don’t listen to me?” he snapped.
“I’m giving you one more warning.”
“I make them my slaves. I drink their blood until they have no more to give.”
I signaled Charlie, who was waiting outside the door, and he gave a quick nod.
“Alfred and I have so much in common, really. We have the same taste in women,” he said in an even tone, watching for my reaction.
The door clicked open and Charlie stepped inside.
“You know those women who are missing?” Mercury’s eyes blazed. “Those were my gift to Alfred.”
My blood chil
led as Charlie started to unlock Mercury’s cuffs from the table.
“I can tell you where he hid the bodies, you know. I can tell you where he’s hiding.”
“Wait one moment, please.” I held up my hand, and Charlie quickly locked Mercury back down. Correctional Officers were used to patient outbursts.
“So there are bodies. He’s been busy at work like he said in his letters.” Mercury inhaled dramatically and closed his eyes, swishing his cheeks as he danced to music no one could hear but him. His eyes snapped open. “He’s a good man, that Alfred. Do you know what he wants to do to you?”
Charlie had never exited the room. Instead, he took a leap forward and stood next to Mercury to remind him he wasn’t far.
“Why do you care?” I asked, narrowing my eyes on him.
“I have a heart, doctor. Despite what all your testing says, I do care.”
Charlie’s entire body was tense. He looked like he wanted to pounce on Mercury, but he was good at his job. He wouldn’t move until Mercury was a danger to others or himself.
“You don’t know how to care, and that’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
Psychopaths never wanted to feel inadequate, and they’d go to great lengths to prove otherwise.
Mercury opened his mouth and traced his tongue slowly over his two pointy teeth.
In this position, open propositions were nothing more than part of the job. These patients always tested boundaries and wanted to intimidate. It was nothing new, but I was determined not to seem too interested in what he had to say about Alfred, but I also ran the risk of not sounding interested enough.
All of our sessions were recorded, so if needed, we could go over everything he said in case it proved useful.
“I’ve got a proposal for you,” Mercury informed me.
“You’re in no position to make a proposition.” My brow arched and I propped my elbows on the table.
Mercury rose from his chair and pressed his whiskered cheek against the Lexan separating us before turning to lick it. I continued to stare at him until Charlie pushed him back down in the seat.
“Would you like the lap belt?” I asked. “Charlie would be more than happy to accommodate. I’d hoped you were more civilized than that, but . . .” I let my voice trail off.
Blake: A Romantic Suspense (V Mafia Series Book 1) Page 19
