Chapter Eighteen
Ava
"Are you sure this is going to work?" I ask, pacing the length of our hotel room, my nerves getting the better of me. "What if he doesn't fall for it?"
Reese looks up from the folder in his hands, his eyes locking with mine. "He will," he assures me, his voice filled with conviction. "We've got him cornered, Ava. He won't have a choice."
I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. We've been going over the plan for hours, making sure every detail is perfect. The evidence we've gathered against Leon is certainly damning, and if he doesn't agree to our terms, we'll make sure the world knows exactly what kind of man he is: a corrupt businessman with too many skeletons in his closet to keep the door shut.
"I just want this to be over," I say, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dark blue dress. "I hate that he's still trying to hurt you, even after everything."
Reese sets the folder down on the bed and crosses the room to me, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. "Hey," he says softly, ducking his head to meet my gaze. "We won’t let him win, okay? We’ve got this."
A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, and I lean into his touch. "We do, don’t we?" I respond, feeling a surge of confidence bolstered by Reese's assurance.
"Absolutely. Today, Leon pays for everything he's done." He presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "We'll go in together, present the evidence—"
"And if he doesn't agree to leave Aurora alone, we'll threaten to take it to the authorities," I finish, the plan now ingrained in my memory.
Reese grins, his thumbs brushing over my collarbone. "That's my girl. We’ll have him quaking in his boots."
I take a step back, smoothing my hands over my dress. "How do I look? Intimidating enough to strike fear into the heart of a sleazy businessman?"
He lets out a low whistle, his eyes roaming over my body appreciatively. "Sweetheart, you look like you could bring an army to its knees. Leon doesn't stand a chance."
Laughter bubbles up in my throat, easing some of the tension in my body. "Flatterer," I tease, grabbing my purse from the bed.
"Just being honest," he says with a shrug, picking up the folder and tucking it under his arm. "Now, let's go show Leon what happens when he messes with the Donovans."
We make our way down to the lobby and out to the waiting car. The drive to Leon's building is short, but it feels like it takes an eternity. Reese holds my hand the entire way, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin.
As we pull up to the grand entrance, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. Reese gives my hand a gentle squeeze before stepping out of the car and helping me out.
Together, we walk into the lobby, our heads held high. The concierge greets us with a polite smile as we approach the front desk.
"Reese Donovan to see Leon Anderson," Reese states, his voice calm and self-assured. "He's expecting us."
She checks her computer and hands us two key cards, directing us to the penthouse suite. In the elevator, Reese turns to me, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek.
"Remember, no matter what happens in there, I'm so damn proud of you, Ava." His thumb strokes over my skin. "You're the strongest person I know."
Emotion clogs my throat, and I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. "I love you, Reese. More than anything."
“I love you, too.”
The elevator dings, signaling our arrival, and we walk toward the door to Leon's suite, two of his goons talking quickly into their headsets. I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Beside me, Reese does the same. We’re ready. It's time to face the monster and put an end to his games, once and for all.
As we walk across the plush, opulently decorated corridor, I’m reminded of the time I took a sewing class as a teenager. The project we were being graded on was a cute little pajama set that we were to model at a local fashion show at the community center. I was so nervous then, feeling like the fattest girl in the room with the thought that every stitch was a potential disaster waiting to happen. But just as Reese reminds me now of my strength, back then, it was my mother who stood beside me, reassuring me with gentle nudges and soft whispers of encouragement.
"Fear is just the prelude to victory," she said, and now, those words echo in my heart with an intensity that propels me forward. Just like they did that day.
Leon’s door swings open, revealing him standing there in a garish silk robe, a smirk on his thin lips. I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Reese, Ava," he greets us, his tone dripping with insincere warmth. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Reese immediately pushes past him into the suite, and I follow close behind, my head held high. "Cut the crap, Leon," Reese growls. "We're here to talk about your little stunt with our battery supplier."
Leon has the audacity to chuckle as he closes the door, turning to face us. "It’s just business, Reese. Nothing personal.”
I step forward, eyes narrowing as my anger flares. "Don't play dumb, Leon. You’re trying to interfere with Aurora, but it didn't work, did it? We've already secured new suppliers."
For a brief moment, annoyance flickers across Leon's face, but he quickly masks it with a smile. "Clever girl," he says, his gaze raking over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. "But do you really think a few new suppliers will keep your little company afloat? I have connections, Reese. I can make life very difficult for you."
"I'm sure you can.” Reese's voice is low and dangerous as he responds. “But we didn't come here to listen to your threats, Leon. We came here to make you an offer."
Leon quirks an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
I reach into my purse and pull out the thick envelope. "Inside this envelope is proof of your attempts to sabotage Aurora," I say, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. "Emails, financial records, witness statements. Everything we need to bury you in court."
As Leon's eyes widen, a flicker of fear passing over his features, he quickly controls his expression. "You're bluffing," he says, but there’s uncertainty in his voice.
Reese takes the envelope from my hands and tosses it onto the coffee table. "Are we? Go ahead, take a look. I think you'll find it very enlightening."
With a scowl, Leon snatches up the envelope, ripping it open and scanning the contents. As he reads, I watch the color drain from his face, and he sinks onto the couch.
"What do you want?" he asks, his voice suddenly missing all the pomp and circumstance it carried just moments before. Reese steps closer.
"It's simple," he tells him. "You're going to leave Aurora alone. No more attempts to sabotage our business, no more trying to weasel your way into the company. You're going to forget we exist."
Leon's jaw clenches, his fingers tightening on the papers in his hand. "And if I refuse?"
I move to join Reese, standing shoulder to shoulder with him as a united front. "Then the next envelope we send will be to the federal authorities. We've already made copies of everything you see there. Rest assured, we are prepared to defend our business and our integrity at all costs. We’ll make sure everyone knows about your underhanded business practices. Your reputation will be ruined, your business in crumbles, and you'll be lucky if you don't end up in prison."
Leon's eyes dart between us, the calculations clear in his gaze as he weighs his options. He swallows hard, the arrogance that so often defines him now noticeably absent. After a tense moment, he sets the envelope down on the table.
"Fine." He lets out a long, defeated sigh. "You win. I'll leave Aurora alone."
"Wise choice, Leon.” Reese glances my way, a triumphant grin teasing the corner of that gorgeous mouth. Oh, I can’t wait to get back into our hotel room to ‘celebrate’. “But just to be clear, this isn't a one-time deal. If you ever come after my company or my family again, I won't hesitate to destroy you.”
As we turn to leave, Leon calls out, "What about Nina? Are you going to tell her about our little… arrangement?"
Reese pauses, glancing back over his shoulder. "My mother is no longer any of your concern, Leon. She knows who you really are now, and she wants nothing to do with you."
With that, we step out into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind us. The moment we're back on the elevator and out of sight of Leon’s hired men, I throw my arms around Reese's neck, grinning from ear to ear.
"We did it," I whisper, bouncing on my toes with excitement. "I can't believe it was that easy."
Reese chuckles, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. "Easy? I thought you were going to have to hold me back from punching him in the face."
Giggling, I press a soft kiss to his lips. "I'm proud of you for keeping your cool. And for standing up for your mom like that."
"She's family," he says simply, resting his forehead against mine. "And so are you, Ava. I'd do anything to protect the people I love."
My heart swells to an impossible size. "I love you, too, Reese. More than I thought was possible."
I can't help but marvel at the incredible journey we've been on together since we came to Vegas. In just a few short days, Reese has become not only my husband but my partner in every sense of the word.
When the elevator doors glide shut, sealing us from the view of anyone who might pass by, Reese presses the button for the lobby and turns to me with that look I know all too well in his eyes. "So, how do you propose we celebrate our little victory?"
“Well, considering we’re in Vegas,” I pause, leaning in closer to whisper, “I say we gamble a little more. Only this time, not with company shares or threats, but with something far riskier.”
Reese’s eyes light up as he tilts his head in question. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
I tug on the front of his jacket, closing the distance between us just as we hit the ground floor. “Yes, Reese. Let’s make a baby.”