Dare You to Catch Me

1. EMMA

Chapter one

EMMA

I 'm not your average girl. I work alongside my father, Charles Beckett, running the day to day operations at our Sapphire Hotel , I didn't expect this at all.

“Emma, you're the heiress to our Empire, bosses will want to claim you as their own, so they can take what's not theirs. This car will at least get you out of here, to figure out a move.” His gaze intensifies.

“Promise me you will run, Collin's boy can hold down everything here, to keep you safe. Marry when you are ready to who you want, promise me that.” Pop has never spoken to me in a sentimental way, showing this much love and how much he cares through these words, and they hit deep in my soul.

“I promise Pop.”

PRESENT DAY

Hearing deep voices coming down the hallway, causes me to look up, noticing my father, Ryan, and another man coming this way.

My eyes follow the man I assume is Ace, noticing his long strides, his broad shoulders, his head down, eyes following the path in front of him.

I stand up, adjust my dress, smoothing it down, I start around the table to greet them.

“Father.” My father now stands in front of me as I get up on my tip toes then place a quick peck on his cheek.

“Emma, thank you for meeting us so late.”

Yes, late it is, it's 9pm and I have a race at midnight, and he's already fucking late getting to the meeting, but I grit my teeth and smile, moving on to Ryan.

Same thing, peck to the cheek, a requirement of me as a heiress of the underground, showing powerful men their respect, even when not given, boosting their egos.

“Mr. Collins.” I softly but confidently say.

“Emma, nice to see you again.”

“You as well.”

“You remember Ace, my son.”

“It's been a very very long time Ryan.” I joke.

When I finally start to look at Ace, my eyes trailing up his body, his perfectly tailored suit, the tattoos sneaking from the cuff of his shirt over his hand, and up his neck. When my eyes meet those gorgeous blue eyes, I feel like my knees could give out. Fuck, he's like a fucking god.

Trying to control my breathing, my pulse, I show him the same respect by getting up on my tip toes, even though his lips twist into a smirk, I place a peck to his cheek.

Dropping back down on my heel, Ace stares down at me with a hungry smile.

“Been a long time, Baby Girl.” The heat floods my cheeks as I smile.

Yes indeed it is nice to see him. I only met Ace a few times growing up, always kept in my own world, not introduced to any mafia boys, and then he left when we got older, I was young.

I do remember him always calling me Baby Girl and he told me he'd be back one day.

“Shall we?” I gesture to the table before taking our seats next to our father's as we begin our meeting .

And I try to stay focused with the task at hand but it is extremely hard when you're not a little girl anymore, looking at a childhood friend.

ACE

Not entirely thrilled to be home, but, also ready to take my place and run this fucking show the way I want it ran. And, I made someone a promise before I left too. I'm only making good on my word.

Sitting here across from Emma, Charles' daughter, I can't stop my eyes from catching quick glances of her. I was expecting to see her tonight but damn, I didn't expect all that.

I remember her when we were younger, being a few years older than her, she was always kept hidden but on occasion I would see her here, and fuck, she's changed. The Baby Girl, the princess, has grown up.

I slide my hand in my pocket, pulling my phone out, shooting Caz a quick text, asking him to give me the latest on Emma. I'm a bit behind on keeping tabs on her. It's been busy.

The way she keeps snapping those gorgeous green eyes up at me, keeping her head down is driving me crazy.

My father throws a contract in front of me, snapping my attention away from her.

“This is the plan for Sapphire West Hotel & Casino we discussed. Are you still in agreement?” My plan of changing Sapphire west to another private casino will give me my own home base, I already live in the Penthouse.

“Yes, I am.” I grab my pen and sign off on the contract, then push the paper across the table towards Emma as she reaches over, barely brushing her finger tips against mine, “Are you in agreement?”

“Yes.” Her voice, her smile, and those fucking eyes are intoxicating and this is my future partner, I'm in trouble but I don't fucking care, I need to talk to her without our fathers present, but right now, I need to wrap this up.

EMMA

He keeps watching me. Every time I look over he has his gaze burning my skin hot. And as much as I would enjoy staying here to talk some more, I really need to go.

I stand from the table and look down at my father. “Father, I'm sorry, I need to go. You don't need me for anything else, right?”

My father glares up at me, his jaw ticks. In a way, I think he knows what I'm doing but I don't care. But also, me leaving is disrespectful to him, so it's even worse.

“Good night, Sweetheart.” Uh, I love how he plays the nice father, until he isn't.

Looking over to Ryan and Ace. “Excuse me, gentleman, I have somewhere to be.” My eyes connect with Ace's hungry gaze and I shoot him a playful wink, before I dart out the door.

I've got a race to get to.