Chapter Seventeen #3
After dinner, the group drifted toward the lobby in a loose cluster.
I fell into step with Alexander’s daughter, saving her address and phone number so I could ship Noah’s promised merch.
When I glanced around, I noticed Simon had lingered behind, deep in conversation with Alexander near the restaurant’s entrance.
I decided to wait in the hallway, watching the rest of the group disappear around the corner.
That’s when I sensed someone behind me. I turned to find Chuck approaching, his expression a blend of frustration and calculation that immediately put me on edge. We were in public. Guests wandered past, staff members crossed the corridor, but somehow that didn’t make me feel any safer.
“Can I help you?” I kept my voice cool, controlled.
“Alexander likes you.” The words came out like an accusation.
I shrugged. “He has good judgment.”
Chuck’s eyes narrowed, assessing. “Simon was smart to bring you along. His grumpy ass would never win Alexander over on his own.”
Anger flared hot and immediate. “Simon doesn’t need anyone’s help. He’s a good man with a solid reputation. Alexander can see that.”
Chuck’s laugh grated against my nerves like sandpaper. “Sure, sure. But I’d like my odds a lot better if you weren’t in the picture.”
My skin prickled with unease. “What exactly are you saying?”
“Name your price.” He smiled, and it didn’t reach his eyes. “What will it take to make you disappear?”
For a moment, I could only stare at him. The audacity of what he was suggesting was staggering. “Excuse me?”
“Break things off with Simon. Leave tonight. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Twenty thousand.” He threw the number out like it was nothing, like he was offering to buy me a cup of coffee.
“No.”
I started to turn away, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm. I yanked free, fury replacing any trace of intimidation.
“Not enough?” Chuck’s lip curled into a sneer. “Fine. Thirty thousand. I can have a cashier’s check drafted for you by tonight.”
The offer landed like a slap. I thought of my previous boss, Mr. Hull—his manipulation, his willingness to cross any line, his absolute certainty that everyone had a price. I saw echoes of him in Chuck’s calculating gaze, and it disgusted me to my core.
Even if my feelings for Simon weren’t real, even if this had all been the act we’d originally planned, I would never have agreed to this. Some things weren’t for sale.
“I don’t want a single thing from you,” I said, my voice sharp enough to cut. “Stay away from me.”
I turned and walked away without looking back, leaving Chuck and his sleazy offer behind.
Up ahead, I saw that Simon had parted ways with Alexander.
His gaze was on me, and even from this distance, I could see the frown creasing his brow.
He’d witnessed the tail end of my interaction with Chuck—the grabbed arm, my sharp exchange, my abrupt departure.
Shit. He was going to ask questions. And I was going to have to lie.
The realization settled heavily in my chest, but I knew it was the right call. Simon didn’t need to know what Chuck had offered me. Not now. Not when we were so close to achieving what we’d come here to accomplish.
This weekend was about proving to Alexander that Simon was the right partner for the expansion of Neptune’s Kingdom.
That Powers Investment Group had the vision, the resources, and the integrity to help Alexander build something lasting.
Chuck was competition, yes, but he was also a distraction, and if Simon found out about the bribe attempt, he wouldn’t just be distracted. He’d be furious.
I knew Simon well enough by now to predict exactly how he’d react.
He’d confront Chuck, probably publicly, and whatever careful diplomacy we’d built with Alexander would crumble in the fallout.
Alexander valued family, stability, trustworthiness.
A shouting match between two potential business partners in the middle of his resort wouldn’t exactly inspire confidence.
And honestly? Chuck’s pathetic attempt at bribery wasn’t worth derailing everything we’d worked for.
Beyond the business implications, there was something else more personal that made me want to shield Simon from this.
I didn’t know the details, but I was now aware that it was Chuck’s betrayal that had destroyed their first company.
Learning that Chuck was still playing dirty, still willing to manipulate and scheme to get what he wanted, would only dredge up old wounds.
And Simon deserved better than to spend this weekend seething over ancient grudges.
No, I decided. This was my problem, and I’d already handled it.
Chuck had shown his hand, and I’d shut him down.
He knew now that I couldn’t be bought, that his money meant nothing to me.
With any luck, he’d slink back to his disinterested wife and unruly children and leave us alone for the rest of the weekend.
And if he didn’t—if he tried something else—I’d deal with that too.