Chapter 15
Fifteen
REGINA
As we exit the elevator, I’m a little self-conscious as several men in suits crowd around us.
The fact I’m still wearing the dress from last night makes this a walk of shame I wasn’t expecting to make.
Nico is dressed in his suit from last night, but it doesn’t look as obvious as the silver dress that looks completely out of place now.
As we exit the hotel, I’m glad it’s a different doorman, at least the other one isn’t around to witness my shame. If anything, I’m angry at myself for not filming more content. I was so caught up in the moment I completely forgot about my duties as a content creator.
My phone battery is now dead anyway because I forgot my charger, and as wasted opportunities go, I am mourning this one big time.
I’m not surprised to find a huge black car waiting outside, no yellow cabs required, but I’m surprised to see another two, one in front and one behind.
“Wow, they are busy this morning.”
Nico says nothing as Trent stands by an open door and nods to me respectfully as I slip inside. I flash him a brilliant smile and remark, “Where’s Alyssia? I never got to say goodbye.”
He merely nods as Nico pushes in after me and slams the door behind him.
“He never answered me.”
“He won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
“Rude.”
“Yes, it is rude to expect an answer from someone who doesn’t owe you any.”
“I was only being polite.”
I shake my head. Jeez, these guys are seriously emotionally depraved.
“Who are they all, anyway? I mean, are you famous or something?”
“I’m careful.”
He sighs, leaning back against the heated leather seat that, I’m not going to lie, feels amazing against the icy chill of winter.
“And rich.” I state the obvious.
“Very.”
I am itching to ask for an interview for my followers, but as my phone has died, this is not the right time, so I turn my attention back to the contract.
“So, tell me what you need me to do. I suppose I should have asked before I signed on the dotted line, but, hell, lesson learned.”
He heaves a deep breath. “Regina, you have a lot to learn about business. I will make certain to educate you.”
“Sounds boring.”
I gaze out at the passing buildings, noting the people scurrying along to work, their coats pulled tight against the cold.
“But I thought you were a businesswoman.”
“I am, but my business isn’t boring; it’s fun.”
He falls silent as I gaze out of the window, still on a high from last night and then it strikes me that he hasn’t asked me for directions and we are heading in the right way to my apartment in the less affluent part of town.
“How do you know where I live?”
“You are careless with your personal information.”
“I didn’t give you any.”
I stare at him in shock.
“You told me the name of your business; that was enough.”
“How?”
If anything, I’m fascinated, and his amused smirk reveals he’s a man who enjoys proving he’s better than them.
“You registered your address in the small print of your website, rather than acquiring a PO box like most intelligent business owners would. Anyone could turn up at your door unannounced, and given the fact you probably don’t possess adequate security, you could be in danger from any crazy person out there. ”
“Oh my God, I never thought of that.”
My eyes widen in horror because he’s right. I did post my address on the website.
“I will never sleep safely in my bed again.”
He chuckles softly. “Then it’s a good job you’ll be sleeping in mine. I have impenetrable security, as you pointed out.”
“I guess.“ I smile and then his words register. “Wait—what! Where did you say I was sleeping?”
I am half hoping I misheard and the other half hoping I heard right.
“You’ll be sleeping in my bed.”
He raises an amused brow and I gasp, “As in the spare one in your um, family’s house for um, two nights?”
He merely shrugs and turns his attention to the several messages that are flashing up constantly on his phone, effectively shutting the conversation down.
I lean back in my seat, a thousand things swirling around my mind along with the enormity of what I agreed to last night and signed in ink this morning.
I am spending Christmas with a hot stranger and his family, and I wasn’t even drunk at the time.
What self-respecting sane woman does that without knowing all the facts?
I should be certified, but then again, he is the most attractive man I’ve ever met, and well, the way he rescued me from the red carpet earned him a million bonus points.
There is something so addictively gorgeous about this man, and as opportunities go, I would have kicked myself if I had let this one slip past me.
It’s only two days after all. What’s the worst that could happen?
It’s strange turning up at my apartment/condo on the rougher side of Queens. This car sticks out like a red rag to a bull, and I say slightly nervously, “You can’t park here.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s a no-parking zone and, newsflash, you may be targeted by criminals for your wheels, money, anything they can take, and it’s not uncommon for gunfights out here.”
I point to the car in front. “That car and the one behind are seriously ostentatious. You are attracting unwanted attention and should really be more careful. Just saying.”
I make to leave the car, and he pulls me back with a strong hand.
“Regina.”
It’s as if he is talking to a small child.
“You just informed me of the threats outside that door. Gunfights, thieves and people with no moral compass or fucks to give and yet you insist on stepping onto the sidewalk unprepared, wearing a dress that cost five thousand dollars.”
It’s strange that the only thing that registers is the price of the dress and my jaw drops.
“Five thousand what?”
He shrugs. “At a guess. It could be ten.”
“But–”
He places his finger on my lips, and his expression is fierce.
“You really do have a lot to learn, so it’s probably best for your own safety and mental well-being that you allow me to make the decisions from now on.”
“Decisions?”
My mind is spinning, and he shakes his head.
“You pointed out my security. Therefore, my cars will be perfectly safe. Because, like me, my men do not leave home without several firearms at hand. Secondly, I park where the fuck I like, and if the locals have a problem with that, they can request a meeting, but I don’t rate their chances.
Thirdly, get used to the price tags. It is part of my world, which is now also yours.
Ten thousand dollars for a dress is normal.
Money is a byproduct of my success, and it’s vulgar to mention it.
Act as if you deserve every penny, and nobody will question it.
Now you can see why I surround myself with security because I will not allow another man’s desire to take from me and corrupt my day. ”
The door flies open before I can answer, and the rude one stands there with a nod.
“All clear.”
Nico reaches for my hand and pulls me from the car, and as I gaze at the rundown building that I’ve proudly called home for the past year, I’m embarrassed for him to walk inside.
“I’ll, um, I won’t be long.”
I attempt to make him wait, and he says nothing and merely grips my hand and pulls me up the steps toward the door.