Chapter 12 Rafael
Rafael
Walking into Gabriel’s office, I throw myself into one of the couches he has in his seating area. Dove looks up from her laptop beside me, and Angelo lifts both brows at me in question from the couch opposite.
‘Your face suggests you just got off a call with Dad,’ Gabe comments, glancing up from his computer screen before he continues typing at a million miles per minute.
I’ll never understand how he can code so fast or do whatever genius tech whizz stuff it is that he’s so damn good at, without steam coming off his keyboard.
‘That bloody obvious, huh?’ I scrub a hand around my jaw, exhaling with a muttered curse. ‘He wanted to get me before our meeting.’
This is what the four of us do every Monday morning, usually before anyone arrives.
Sit in Gabe’s office and go over our plans for the week.
My office would be the more logical choice because it’s the biggest. But Gabe’s doesn’t have floor-to-ceiling windows beside his seating area like mine does.
A fact that made me want to choose another office when I became CEO, before my father insisted I take his old one.
I can’t stomach a view that high this early in the morning, or any time of day, for that matter.
‘What did he say?’ Angelo asks, trying to keep his tone casual.
My heart bleeds for my kid brother, because I know what he’s really asking.
Did Dad ask after me? Did our stiff-upper-lipped father show an ounce of tenderness towards his kids, and actually ask how we are, rather than just how business is?
Gabe, Dove and I have grown to expect nothing less, but Angelo still holds out hope.
‘Same as usual. Wanted figures. Gave his opinion on which clients we should be trying to sign. Told me the latest staff bonuses were unnecessary, and they’ll think I’m a bloody soft touch if I’m that generous.’
‘That’s our father,’ Dove tuts. ‘Always about the money.’
My spine prickles with unease. As far as they’re all aware, our investments were never affected by George Thorne’s actions, but her words strike a nerve. I’ve been so hellbent on finding out what George Thorne did with my money that it’s become an obsession.
Maybe I’m more like my father than I care to admit.
Angelo sniffs, looking away. ‘Can we get this moving? I didn’t have breakfast yet and my stomach’s eating itself here.’
‘I’ve seen you hangry, and it’s not pleasant,’ Gabe says, screwing up his nose.
He pulls open his desk drawer, grabs something out, then walks over, taking a seat beside Angelo.
‘Here. Bacon flavour. Knock yourself out.’ He scoops Benedict up off the floor, where he’s rubbing at his shins, and cradles him in his lap as he sits back.
‘Nice.’ Angelo nods, popping the lid off a tube of crisps.
‘Whose are those?’ I ask, my gaze fixing on Angelo as he crunches down three at once.
Dove smirks. ‘Don’t tell me she got you hooked on those too?’ she says to Gabe.
‘She’s trying.’ Gabe smiles.
‘Who?’ I snap.
‘Aurora,’ Gabe says.
‘Give them to me,’ I bark, holding out my hand.
Angelo grabs a handful of crisps before passing me the tube. I sniff them, then read the ingredients. ‘These aren’t food.’
‘Taste good,’ Angelo moans through a mouthful.
‘Why is Aurora bringing you these? We’re not paying her to cosy up over lunch with you. She’s got a goddamn job to do.’
Gabe’s eyes slide to mine, narrowing. ‘Would you rather she eats lunch with you?’
‘Don’t be so bloody ridiculous,’ I scoff.
He smirks and I fix him with a glare as I shove the lid back on the crisps. I’ve barely seen Aurora since she began working here one week ago. Gabe’s kept me updated on her suggestions to our PR campaigns. Enquiries are up thirty per cent as a result. She’s clever. Too clever.
My plan to unearth where my money is might have stalled somewhat with how busy I’ve been with new clients, but I haven’t forgotten. I’ll still get exactly what I want from her, one way or another.
‘Let’s get this bloody meeting started,’ I grumble.
‘I’m sho sworry, Mr Fwairfak.’
I wince at AJ’s swollen cheek as he cradles a heat pack on it.
‘It’s fine. Get yourself to the dentist. We can’t have you greeting clients like that.’
‘Yesh, swir.’
I should have known when he started complaining about his toothache this morning that this could happen.
‘Bugger,’ I mumble as he leaves my office.
I guess it doesn’t matter if he’s not here to take notes for the meetings this afternoon, I can keep track of everything we discuss.
I just like AJ to sit in because the man is a walking sponge.
He’ll recall every detail, down to the number of times the client blinks.
It’s surprising how useful his small observations can be during negotiations.
I open my calendar and check my schedule. I have a couple of calls booked, including one with Sullivan Beaufort.
Getting up from my desk, I exit my office in search of Angelo to get an update on another of our clients – a woman with a private collection of Italian artwork she wants to insure.
Female laughter rings out from the staff lounge as I head down the corridor. Reaching the doorway, I glance in. Steve, one of the underwriters, is leaning against the counter with his hands in his pockets, looking all too bloody comfortable chatting with Aurora as she uses the coffee machine.
He grins at her, and I don’t miss the way the fucker’s eyes drop to her arse in her pencil skirt as she reaches for the sugar.
‘Trust me, it’s a great film. We should watch it together sometime.’
‘Okay,’ Aurora answers innocently, unaware the leech is licking his lips, thinking his dick’s about to get wet.
‘Steve!’ I bark. ‘Where’s the file for Ruperts?’
His eyes widen as he takes me in, and he straightens from the counter. ‘Mr Fairfax, I didn’t see you. Um . . . Ruperts?’ he questions, confusion knitting his brow. ‘That only came to me this morning.’
I usually give him a few days to look over a new client in detail.
‘If you’ve got time to plan a movie night when I’m waiting on something for a new client, then I’m obviously paying you too much,’ I say, watching the colour drain from his face.
‘Of course.’ He swallows thickly. ‘I’ll get right on it.’
‘You do that,’ I grunt.
He scurries past me and Aurora watches him go with a frown.
‘What?’ I snap.
She turns her attention to her coffee and stirs it. ‘I didn’t say anything.’
‘But you’re thinking it. I can tell,’ I say, moving to stand beside her at the coffee machine.
I place a mug underneath and click it on.
She side-eyes me like she’s wondering why I’m using the machine here when I have a better one in my office.
The scent of her perfume dances up my nostrils and I place my hands on to my hips so I don’t reach out and touch her.
It’s sweet, feminine, and adds a whole new layer to what I already know about her from watching her vlogs.
In those I can watch every tiny expression she makes, hear every little lift in her voice when she likes something.
Savour the sparkle in her eyes when she really loves something.
My dick thickens in my trousers, threatening me with the possibility of a raging hard-on in the goddamn staff lounge.
‘You might be a shrewd businessman, but you can’t tell what I’m thinking,’ she says.
‘You’re thinking I’m an unreasonable arsehole.’
Her brows rise and she lets out a small, surprised laugh. ‘Okay. You’re good.’
I take the opportunity as she glances away to admire the pale blue silk shirt she’s wearing. Her blond hair is tied up and a loose strand has fallen against her neck directly over her fluttering pulse.
‘But not great,’ she adds. ‘I was thinking “demanding”.’
I lick my lips. ‘I don’t need to make demands, Aurora. I always get what I want.’
She chances a glance at me and her pupils dilate the moment our eyes meet.
‘Excuse me. Gabriel’s waiting for me,’ she says quickly, heading for the door.
I stuff my hand into my pocket and rearrange my dick, urging the bastard to chill out. It’s perfume. That’s all.
I can’t help but drink in the curve of her hips. I’ve never seen her wear this skirt before. Plenty of other skirts and tight dresses in her videos, but never a navy-blue pencil skirt and light blue silk blouse before. It’s a new combination.
One I like. Very much.
‘I need you,’ I announce as she reaches the doorway.
She snaps her eyes back to mine. ‘But we’re about to—’
Images of my brother and Aurora taking lunch together has heat creeping across the back of my neck and my fingers flex with the urge to crack my knuckles. I’m pretty sure Aurora isn’t Gabriel’s type, but that’s not the point. Plus, I need to spend more time with her to find out what I need.
‘Gabe’s a big boy. And he told me you’re making great progress. So he can cope for the afternoon,’ I tell her. ‘I want you.’
She frowns, biting her lower lip like she’s considering whether she can decline or not.
‘I have client meetings. I need you to take notes,’ I add, motioning to AJ’s empty desk.
‘Oh.’ Her expression clears, pricking with interest. ‘Okay. Absolutely.’
‘Good.’ I take a sip of my coffee, holding her eyes over the rim.
I wince. The stuff’s barely palatable. First thing AJ can do when he gets back is order a replacement machine. I’m not having my staff tell people I’m an arsehole who also makes them drink crap coffee.
I tip it down the sink. ‘Let’s go.’
I lead Aurora to my office and gesture towards the meeting table.
‘Take a seat there. The first call I have is with Beaufort Diamonds, one of our biggest clients. Biggest jewellery brand in the world.’
Aurora nods and obediently slides into a chair at the table where she can see the large flat-screen monitor that’s fixed on the wall. It’s currently displaying the Fairfax Guardian logo of golden wings.
‘They’re in New York, five hours behind us. We’ve got ten minutes until I need to call them.’