19. Chapter 18
Ria
I’m not sure which of us feels worse for how the atmosphere changed after Ezra appeared—me or Trixie.
Ezra followed us around until he had to leave for his flight, and he tried one last attempt at getting Trixie to come with him, but he was met with a wall of women who refused to let him bully her into going.
So she has been apologizing to Jade every chance she gets and has retreated into herself.
And me? I can’t stop thinking about how I’ve never fucked up more in my life. I’ve basically messed up my life, my family’s business if I can’t pull this off, and Leo’s as well. So my head is elsewhere and it’s affecting my mood.
But it’s not just the prospect of my family’s reputation that is weighing heavily on my mind.
No, it’s the way my stupid heart squeezed at the vision of Leo talking to that girl.
And the only explanation I have is that I’ve got it mixed up in my head that as my fake husband he can’t be showing me up like that.
Even if I watched as he stumbled away from her and didn’t take her up on whatever she was offering, my heart clenched and I fought with everything inside me not to strut up to him, wrap my arms around him, and claim him in front of her.
I have never felt this ridiculously possessive feeling before for anyone, let alone Leo.
All I’ve come up with is I’m worried we will fuck this up even further if he can’t keep it in his pants.
Lord knows I’ll be getting an A plus in that department.
I haven’t been with a man since Ezra even with Grace trying her best to, in her words, “bring water to the desert.” Celibacy and I are in a committed relationship and I’ve had no interest in men.
My career and building a name for myself has been my constant driving force.
So I can’t let one stupid decision ruin all my hard work.
“Morning, beautiful.” Grace bounces into my office on our first day back, looking refreshed and not like she is struggling from jet lag.
Unlike me who’s had to have four chai lattes already and it’s not even eight o’clock.
“Ria, you look terrible.” She grabs my cheeks, pulling my face down to hers.
“Your skin, babe. It’s not dewy, and I don’t want to fall into the pools of your luscious blue eyes. They’re all red and puffy.”
“I’ve not slept properly in days,” I mumble as she continues to scan my face.
“I can see that. But we have that meeting today with Mr. West.” She squeezes my cheeks before she releases me.
“I know; that’s why I can’t sleep.” I throw up my hands, and swiping the spray bottle off my desk, I start to mist my plants around my office.
This is something that would normally calm me, but it does nothing to ebb the nerves rolling through me.
“I’m panicking that he will see right through me and Leo.
We sat at my place last night with Hunter and laid out our story, but I’m absolutely sure he will see right through it.
” Placing the spray bottle down, I start to flap at my shirt as heat rushes me. “Is it hot in here?”
“Not particularly?” Grace frowns.
“You sure?” I continue to flap at my shirt. “I’m sweating from my eyeballs, it's so hot.”
“Okay, we need to take a breath.” She halts my steps by taking my hands in hers to stop my frantic movements. “Who are you?”
“Huh?”
“Who are you?” she repeats.
“Babe, you know who I am.”
“Yes, of course I know who you are.” She rolls her eyes.
“Okay, so why are you asking?”
“Dear God, Ria, who the fuck are you?” Her voice rises as she stares up at me.
“Ria Stone?”
“Again.”
“Ria Stone,” I say, slightly louder.
“With feeling.”
“Ria Stone.”
“Still not good enough. You are Ria fucking Stone. Boss bitch billionaire and CEO. This portfolio is yours. So I’ll ask you again. Who are you?”
“I’m Ria fucking Stone,” I shout and she beams at me.
“Yeah, you are. Stop worrying and go win that portfolio. The other shit will work itself out.”
“You’re right.” Grabbing my laptop, I continue, “This is my portfolio.” Strutting out of my office, determination set in my brow, I throw back over my shoulder. “You coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Dexter’s just bringing Mr. West up now.” Jade settles in next to me in the boardroom, opening up her laptop.
“Great. Did you see Leo on your way in?” I ask, my eyes darting from her to the open door.
“I did, and he's on his way.” She pushes her glasses up her nose and I nod. “You may want to put your ring on.” She motions to my bare finger.
“Shit.” Rummaging in my pocket, I pull out the simple band and slip it on my finger just as Leo walks in.
“Hi, Ri Ri.” Leo’s dazzling smile hits me as he moves easily toward me, planting a soft kiss to my cheek, which isn’t new. Leo has always been physically affectionate, but the way his lips linger on my skin has my cheeks flushing.
“Hi,” I whisper, sucking in a sharp breath as his hand rests gently on my hip.
“Good morning, Miss Stone.” Mr. West's strong voice fills the boardroom. Turning, I’m shaken out of whatever weird moment I’m having with Leo. “Or is it Mrs. Brent now?” He offers me his hand, a huge smile on his devilishly handsome face.
“I’m still Stone in the office, Mr. West.” I shake his hand before glancing across at Leo.
Heat blooms in my cheeks when I catch him already looking at me with adoration and a soft smile.
“This is my husband, Leo Brent.” Saying the words out loud doesn’t sound as strange as it did this morning when I practiced in the mirror.
“We have met a few times at Enigma.” He shakes Leo’s hand, and they share a knowing look.
I know what sort of club Enigma is. It’s for the rich—high-end with added extras.
I’m not a prude, and if I’m honest I’ve been intrigued.
Even Grace has walked through those glossy black doors in Mayfair, but I haven’t had the balls to do it.
Leo releases his hand and rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, haven’t been there for a while.”
“Can I get you a drink, Mr. West?” Grace beams across the room.
“I’d love a cup of tea, please.” He smiles warmly at her as she nods.
“Can I get everyone else their usual?”
“Please,” we all reply in unison, and she sways out of the room before softly closing the door behind her.
“It’s lovely to have you here, Mr. West.” I gesture for him to take a seat. “This is our associate, Jade. She will be helping with maintaining your portfolio if we are lucky enough to work with you.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mr. West. Your accolades are pretty spectacular.” Jade stands and eagerly shakes his hand.
“I could say the same about you, Miss Wilde.” He releases her hand, and Jade’s mouth gapes slightly. “Did you really think I wouldn’t have googled the people I’d potentially be trusting with my investments?” He lets out a soft laugh.
“Well, I suppose not but my resume is nothing like yours,” Jade says shyly.
“It’s very impressive what you’ve managed to achieve. Bright was lucky to snap you up from Peak when they did.”
“It wasn’t a tough decision to make the move; I’m truly blessed to have been given the opportunities I have here at Bright.”
“And we’re grateful that you took that leap.” I smile warmly at her as we all take our seats around the boardroom table. “You quickly became a huge asset to our team, and I know I for one would be lost without you.”
“Thank you.” Jade’s cheeks flush at my compliment.
“And this is the type of leadership and company I need helping me control my investments.” He rests his elbows on the table, steepling his fingers.
“I believe that my staff are my biggest asset—without them I have nothing. From my managers and executives of my hotels to the cleaning staff, every single member on the West Hotels payroll is integral.” He pauses and looks between me and Leo, and I sense he’s sizing us up.
Should I be more affectionate toward Leo?
No, this is a business meeting, so I hold Mr. West’s gaze, but I see Leo’s fingers twitch on his thigh, a sign I’ve learned over the years means that he’s uncomfortable.
Placing my hand over his, I feel his frame instantly relax, and he turns his hand, intertwining our fingers.
Mr. West continues, his tone all business.
“I need someone on my level who I can trust to run this because I will be handing over the whole portfolio.” I tighten my grip on Leo’s, my heart rate spiking at the thought that Mr. West can see right through us.
“What I gave you to look over is a small part of what I have, and I will be able to get a good idea on how well you’ll cope with the load and pressure I could be placing on your team.
But I’m not just assessing your ability to make me money.
I could go to any of the top three in London to manage this.
I want a firm who will not just look at the bottom line and the clout that comes with having my money under management. So the floor is yours, Miss Stone.”
Dear God, that's some speech.
“Here we go.” Grace comes back through the glass doors, instantly cutting through the tension.
“One perfectly brewed tea.” She takes Mr. West’s mug off the tray and places it on the coaster in front of him.
“I’ve been taking lessons on making the perfect brew since I moved here from Jade and her best friend, Lily, who literally wouldn’t let me leave her apartment until I got the right tan color. ” She laughs, shaking her head.
“It looks perfect, Miss…?” Mr. West gives Grace an appreciative look as she moves to pass out our drinks.
“Miss Kelly, but you can call me Grace.” She winks at him, and he huffs out a laugh.
“Your name is Grace Kelly?”
“It is. My mom is not as funny as she thinks. Joke’s on her because I’m a lady just like Grace Kelly but only when I need to be.
” She shimmies as she takes her seat on my other side, flipping open her laptop, ready to take notes.
Dear God, Grace, time and place. I need to have a talk with her about her nonexistent filter.
“Anyway, have I missed much?” Her eyes drift down to Leo’s and my conjoined hands, and she does nothing to hide her grin.
“Not at all, Grace. Mr. West was just outlining his expectations.” I clear my throat, giving her a not now look.
“And one of those is to have a close relationship with whoever I pick to run this. So please call me Cole.”