Chapter 20
Xander
“The Hightower Energy board meets in a month.” Sloan’s voice came through over the sound of a dinner party in the background
that got progressively quieter. “The Senate is conducting hearings next week.”
The humid air of a Singaporean summer practically adhered to my skin. I was hoping the unrelenting heat would wake me up.
The jet lag and the fact that we were staying in the honeymoon suite, so I was sleeping on the couch, meant my sleep schedule
was fucked.
“Really?” I said through a deep yawn. It was already well into the afternoon by the time I woke up. “That was fast.”
I took a few steps to the edge of the terrace and looked at the city on one end and the bay on the other. Our suite at the
Four Seasons came with a pool on a large terrace, outfitted with tables and lounge chairs and enough space to throw a party.
“Mm-hmm,” Sloan affirmed. The sound of a door closing behind her could be heard on my end. “Victor Hightower will be voted
down. I’ll advise the family to take a step back in order to meet the restitution mandated by the Feds, which I’m sure will
be hefty.”
“Victor is out.” I glanced over my shoulder, through the glass doors that led into the hotel suite. I could see Penelope walking
around inside.
In a bikini.
Fuck.
Sunlight drenched her warm sandy skin, light streams from the blinds cutting shadows along her gentle curves as she walked
around. The modest bikini bottom and top did nothing to stop the heat that ran through my veins at the sight of her.
But Sloan’s voice did. It was a fucking ice bucket when she cheerily replied, “A new direction for Hightower Energy is in.”
I smiled. One step closer.
Once I took control of Hightower Energy, their global reach combined with Herrera’s revolutionary battery technology would
make the newly merged company a leader in clean energy. It would be the only leader in an open field for decades, until others
could catch up. All tucked neatly under Dawn Capital’s umbrella.
“Next step will be the acquisition,” Sloan told me, as if I needed a reminder. Take out Victor. Take over. Sit whomever I
chose on the open throne. It was child’s play. “It’s going to be a bloodbath once those shares hit the market. You’ll need
to act fast to take Hightower.”
My eyes flicked to the side when I heard the sound of a smooth swipe from the glass door. Penelope stepped outside with her
laptop tucked under her arm.
“I know.” My voice lowered to a whisper now that Penelope was in earshot. What Sloan was doing for me wasn’t exactly ethical.
After a long pause, Sloan must have known I got distracted.
“I’m gonna go, but enjoy your honeymoon.” She hung up before I could correct her.
All the things normal couples did on a honeymoon were just out of my reach. Yet, it was the only thing I could think about
when a sultry breeze danced along her sheer cover-up.
Flimsy, it opened completely, giving me a better look at her curves.
I walked over to her once she sat down. I dropped my phone on the teak table beside her.
“Save whatever you’re doing,” I told her, gently tapping the top of her screen.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Show me around Singapore.”
We were out yesterday, but most of the day was spent with Olivia leading the way. Penelope didn’t really say much in the direction
of things.
“If you’d like a tour guide, Xander, I am sure the concierge can help you.”
“I’m calling in that favor. You know, the little one where we save your inheritance,” I teased.
We were in her home city, and she didn’t want to leave the hotel? We weren’t doing anything interesting in here. She deserved
to have some fun.
And, fuck, I missed her smile.
“I know what you’re doing, being all meddlesome, and I’d just like to point out”—she leaned in closer and shut the laptop—“You
are exactly like your best friend when you do that.”
“Should I be offended?” I kind of was.
She stood up and walked back inside. “Entirely up to you. Be ready in ten minutes.”