Chapter 42
Leo
“You both decent?” Grace comes through Ria’s office door, her hand covering her face.
“Of course,” Ria says.
“Oh, good.” She grins, placing her hands on her hips. “Deacon is here to see you both.”
“Deacon?” Ria shoots up from her chair just as Deacon walks into her office.
“Grace, you really shouldn’t walk into your boss’s office without knocking.”
“I’m a free spirit, Deeks. I’ll flow wherever the wind takes me.”
“You’re truly something, G.”
“Definitely. So I’ll leave you guys to do the important things because that folder you’re holding, Mr. Lowe, is giving me police drama vibes. And I’m not well-equipped to deal with that. I am, however, equipped to be my truly something self out here with your sexy-as-sin security detail.”
She bounces out of the room and Deacon calls out to her, “Don’t corrupt Seb.”
“Please, Seb was corrupted well before he knew me.” She winks, closing the door with a soft click.
“This obviously isn’t a friendly catch-up, Deacon. What have you got for me?” Ria waves her hand for Deacon to sit in the chair opposite her, and I fall into the chair beside him.
“I’m afraid not.” He opens the folder on the desk and passes us a few sheets of paper with various highlights. “I mentioned I would be doing some more digging on Ezra and Dale.”
“Yes, the information you last gave us was informative, but there really wasn’t anything in it that I could use to prove they were dirty,” Ria says, taking the papers from him.
“I’ve still not found exactly what they are playing at, but I’ve managed to get my hands on some of their financial records, and a few members of the Peak team have very loose lips.”
“Meaning?” I question.
“Meaning, they also know something isn’t right and are more than happy to talk.
Seb has had some of these employees”—he points to the papers where there are what looks like transcripts of interviews—“give him some of their thoughts and suspicions, and each one circles back round to potential money laundering.”
“Seriously?” Ria gasps.
“Yes, but we can’t prove it, and I haven’t got the time to trail through every tiny detail right now.” He sighs. “Hopefully you can join the dots.”
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to do this. I know you have a lot to be dealing with right now.” Ria stacks the papers together and leans over to grasp his hand, and he smiles warmly at her.
“I did. That brother of yours has been there for me when I was at my lowest. I will always make time for him and his family.” Ria releases his hand after giving it another quick squeeze, and Deacon clears his throat and stands.
“Right, I have to be going. I’ve got to make sure Seb hasn’t run for the hills after being subjected to Grace for longer than ten seconds. ”
“I think that man can handle himself around Grace.” Ria lets out a soft laugh as she stands to walk him to the door.
“I’m not taking that chance.” He huffs out a laugh as he opens the door and shakes his head. “G, what are you doing?”
“My feet hurt. Have you tried walking in five-inch Louboutins for eight hours?” She groans and both Ria and I peer around Deacon’s shoulder and I bark out a laugh, because Grace Kelly has done what Grace Kelly does best. She gets people to do what she wants.
She has managed to get Deacon’s six-foot-four muscle mountain of a security detail to crouch down in front of her and massage her feet while she sits and sips on her white-chocolate mocha.
“Never change, G.” Deacon laughs. “But you,”—he playfully smacks his security on the back of the head—“get up.”
“Cole has gone silent on me.” Ria paces her office Friday afternoon.
“He said he had problems with one of his hotels. It will be fine,” I soothe.
“How do you know?”
“Because the alternative isn’t happening.” Rising from her couch, I stalk toward her.
“Plus I’ve not had a chance to look through this.” She waves the folder Deacon gave us on Ezra and Dale before throwing it back down on her desk.
“He only gave it to you yesterday; give yourself a break.”
“I just know I’m missing something, and if I don’t find it soon, it’s going to bite me in the ass.”
Cupping her cheek, I brush my thumb over her soft skin, and she releases a drawn-out breath, her eyes drifting closed. “You’re worrying too much. Let me look over it with you after the wedding.”
“Okay.”
“There is no way that ass crack is going to win.”
“So confident.” She beams as she wraps her arms around me, and I hold her tightly against me.
“Not confident, just right.” Giggling, she nuzzles into my chest, my heart soaring knowing I’ve lightened her load. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Yeah. We need to get over to the venue.”
“I’ve got your overnight bag in the car already.”
“Thank you.” Leaning up, she kisses the corner of my lips and lingers there, her warm breath tangling with mine, and I sink my fingers into her hair, holding her in place.
I capture her lips in mine and she moans against me, her lips parting to allow me to slide my tongue against hers.
When I push her against her office window overlooking the bustling city below, she gasps when the cool glass hits her back.
“I’ll never get enough of this mouth.” Her fists knot in my shirt as I grind my hips against her.
“What the hell is going on?” Hunter’s voice booms from behind me, causing my entire body to lock tight, and I stare wide-eyed at Ria who has gone rigid in my hold.
“Well?” Hunter tries again.
“Oh, hi, little bro. What’s up?” Ria slips out of my hold and gives her brother a manic smile as she fluffs out her hair. I, on the other hand, remain frozen to the spot.
“What’s up? What’s up, Ria?”
“Yes, Hunter, what’s up?” Ria throws back defiantly.
“You were just kissing Leo.” His voice cracks, and the mention of my name snaps me out of my daze.
“Look, man—”
“No, don't give me that, Leo. We talked about this. You promised.”
“You talked?” Ria frowns at me and I stride toward her.
“Not like that. We—”
“I told you not to take this little game too far,” Hunter cuts me off.
“This isn’t a game, Hunter.” Throwing my hands up, I turn to him. “I’m not playing a game. Your sister isn’t a game.”
“But this marriage is,” he grits out. “Or have you both forgotten that?”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. It’s all I’ve been thinking about.” My voice rises as I stare at my oldest friend.
“Not by the looks of it. Looks like you’ve been thinking of a lot of other things.” He scoffs.
“Not fair, man,” I spit out.
“Jesus, Leo. She’s my sister and you promised.”
“Promised? What the hell do you mean promised? And why did you speak about not taking this too far? What is this?” Ria strides toward her brother. “What have you two been saying?” Her eyes dart between us both.
“I saw how he was looking at you at the gala, and I told him not to lead you along.”
“Lead me along? Am I not a grown woman, Hunter, who can make her own mind up?”
“Yes, of course you are. I just worry about you, especially after Ezra.”
“Don’t talk about that man and Leo in the same sentence, do you hear me?” She jabs her finger into his chest. A rush of heat floods me as her words hit me. “They are not the same. This is not the same.”
“I know they aren’t the same.” He reaches out to rest his hand on her shoulder. “Ezra isn't worth the shit on Leo’s shoe. I just… shit, I wasn’t expecting to walk in on the two of you.”
“Well, I wasn’t ready to talk to you about this yet either. I haven’t wrapped my own head around what’s happening.” She shakes her head, looking down at the ground.
Hunter’s gaze flicks to mine over Ria’s shoulder, and I come to stand at her side. “And what is happening?” I whisper softly.
When I curl my arm around her waist, Hunter drops his hand and Ria leans into me. “Not sure, but I’m not stopping. I want to find out.” Looking up at me expectantly, she continues, “If you do?”
“Yeah, Ri Ri, I want to.” I kiss her forehead softly. “But I think I need a word with your brother.”
“Are you going to explain?” Hunter gives me a side-eye from his stool, tipping his head at the bartender who places our drinks down.
“I’m not really sure what to say.” I stare at my tumbler on the bar top.
“Try explaining why you were pinning my sister to her office window.” I cringe as he keeps going. “Her office window? Jesus Christ, Leo. Anyone could have walked in.”
“I know.” Groaning, I rub at my brow.
“So what were you thinking?” he presses.
“I wasn’t.”
“What’s going on? You tell me everything. I always want to help you, man.”
“I don’t know. I…” Trailing off, I shake my head, not daring to look at him. “I lose my head around her.” Pushing the heels of my palms into my eyes, I groan, adding, “I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“This isn’t a new thing, is it?” He claps his hand on my shoulder, and I turn to look at him, my brow furrowed. “I thought it was just a crush.”
“What do you mean crush?”
“I have eyes. I saw how you looked at her when we were growing up, but I just thought it was a teenage crush.” He shrugs.
“I guess it started out that way. But…”
“But what?”
“But I married her. And I was all set to sign the papers, but she wanted to stay married. Then having to pretend to be her husband in public made me lose my head in private, and I got carried away and I can’t apologize—not really—because it feels right with her.”
“Do you love her?” he asks, no malice in his voice, just curiosity.
“Yeah. I really do. I think I’ve loved her for a while.”
“Does she know that?”
Downing my drink, I let the heat of the scotch settle in my throat. Relishing in the burn, I shake my head.
“You plan on telling her?”
“I’ve been silent for years. A few more weeks until this is finished isn’t going to hurt. This isn’t permanent for her.”
“Bullshit.” He scoffs.
“I’m sorry?” Turning, my brow knits as I watch him belly laugh.
“Bullshit. You claim to know my big sister, so tell me… If she says she wants to do something, will she do it?” I nod. “And I’m not deaf. I heard her say she wants to try this with you.”
“She shouldn’t want to.” Gripping my now empty glass, I force down the hope bubbling inside me at his words.
“What, try and have a relationship with one of the best people I know?” Huffing out a laugh, I signal for the server to get us another round as he continues.
“The one person I know I can call no matter what the time and he’ll be there?
The man who can always make me smile when I’m down or the man who is always looking out for other people and is the most loyal man I know?
Yeah, why would she want to try and date a man like that?
” Our new drinks are put down in front of us, but I don’t reach for mine.
I just stare blankly at my best friend. “Look, I was shocked at seeing you together, but if you think I’m going to stand in your way then think again. ”
“You’re actually okay with this?”
“Ria is her own person. I can't tell her who she can date any more than I can tell you.”
“Can you keep this to yourself for a while? I really need to get my head around it.”
“What is there to get your head around?”
“This all started out as fake and has all too quickly become real, and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
“You won’t fuck it up.” Taking a sip of his scotch, he throws me a smug smile. “Because if you hurt her, it’s not me, Noah, or even Dad you’ve got to worry about, it’s Grace.”
Shuddering, I give him a small smile. “Yeah, she is scary.”
“Who’s scary, Chuckles?” Sliding onto the stool next to me, Grace signals for the server. “Two martinis, please.” She winks at him, and his cheeks flush as he gathers what he needs.
“Two martinis?” Hunter asks.
“One’s for your sister, you tool.”
“Really? I would have thought they were both for you?”
“Wiseass.” She nudges his shoulder. “I’m pacing myself. Got a big day tomorrow. Anyway, I hear you may have walked in on your sister and this guy and may or may not have overreacted.”
“She told you?” I cringe.
“Or course she told me.” She rolls her eyes before grinning at me. “She tells me everything.”
“Everything?” I ask.
“Yep, everything.” She gives me a mischievous grin, her eyes briefly dropping to my crotch.
“Jesus.” I drag my hand down my face and she cackles, accepting her drinks from the server who slips her a card and winks before walking away.
“Do you think he is the type that can bend me into the best and most pleasurable positions and make me black out?”
“Christ, Grace,” we both say, laughing.
“What? I have a terrible reputation to maintain. Do you think he could?”
“Who could what?” Ria slides in next to Hunter who gives her a soft smile that she returns.
“That server…” Grace nods at the man now fixing a drink for someone else on the other side of the bar.
“Do you reckon he could bend me into a pretzel and have me scream his name as he ran through me like a traffic light?” Smothering my laugh behind my hand, I look at Hunter who is doing the same, but Ria glances across the bar.
“I doubt it, babe.” Ria shrugs.
“Crap.” Grace pops her olive in her mouth. “It’s been too long.”
“Babe, he’s more likely to call you by his mom’s name than have you screaming his.” Ria sips her martini, and both Hunter and I stare at her in shock.
“You’re right. He’s got mama’s boy written all over him.” Grace groans.
“Who has mama’s boy written all over him?” Lily appears at Ria’s side along with Marcus, Jade, Deacon, Beck, and Noah.
“The server who gave Grace his number,” Ria says, motioning with her glass, and everyone turns to look. “Jesus, guys, why not make it more obvious.” She giggles.
“Definitely mama’s boy,” Deacon says gruffly.
“One hundred percent that man cries when he comes.” Lily leans against the bar, crossing her arms, and we all erupt.
“I think I’m going to take that chance.” She steals Ria’s olive, seductively placing it on her tongue. “He’s very pretty.”
“Pretty won’t sate your appetite, G.” Deacon squeezes her shoulder as he walks by and she smiles into her drink.
“It sure won’t.”