Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Theo
“If they can't handle it, we will have to assign someone to it.
This shouldn't be out of their scope of skills.” This trip was longer than expected, and there were still some issues to figure out, but I needed to come home.
“Is there anyone we can move and not cause issues elsewhere?” Eddie is concerned we left too soon.
I told him he could stay behind and run things, but I was leaving.
“I have full confidence in the Raiden boys. I don't think we will have to move anybody, plus they have the support of Acadia being nearby. This shouldn't be an issue.”
“Sir, we are two blocks away,” William interrupts.
“Eddie, I have to go. We can finish this discussion later.”
“Ok, Daddy. I’ll set up a meeting.” My jaw tightens as he talks.
“How long are you going to keep this up?” I asked, gritted through my teeth.
“Until it doesn't annoy you anymore.” He laughs. “Is it just the age gap thing? Because we’re what, ten years apart? That's still an age gap, so it makes sense I get to call you Daddy, too.”
“No, it’s not—never mind.” I cut myself off before I give him anything else to use against me.
“Oh, so it is a sex thing!” And…I was too late.
“Eddie, I'm hanging up now.”
“Ok. Bye, Daddy.” His laugh gets cut off when I hang up.
We pull up in front of Castin Tower. The moment the car stops, I am out the door. The doorman barely has time to react before I am barreling through the glass doors.
“Mr. Reeves, how may I assist you today?”
“Let Mr. Castin know I am on my way up.” I continue walking to the elevator I know takes me directly to the CEO’s office.
I hear a “Yes, sir,” and the scrambling of a phone behind the counter as I enter the elevator. For seventy-five floors, the ride is quick. I enter the office just as Kai puts the phone down. He leans back in his chair, watching me.
“Always did have a flair for the dramatic.” He laughs.
“What’s the point of having a reputation like mine if I don't get to wield it?” I laugh, pulling my jacket off.
I have known Kai for just over twenty years.
He was who introduced me to The Society, and is a huge reason I am the person I am today.
He stands to shake my hand before offering me a seat.
“Can I offer you a drink?” He pulls scotch off one of the shelves behind him.
“Sure.” Taking the glass, I sit back in the seat. “How is she doing?” Kai has a knowing smile as he relaxes back into his seat.
“She’s doing great. You didn’t tell us she graduated second in her class with a Bachelor’s of Architecture.”
“I did not.” I smile into my glass as I raise it to my lips, knowing where this is going.
“And why is that? You must have background checked her if she has gotten this close to you. You would have known she had her degree from Acadia, of all places. It seems like pertinent information when asking us to do you a favor.”
“I only asked you to interview her; you chose to hire her on your own.”
“True, and we probably would have given her a low-stakes job just to keep you happy.”
“But you decided to bend rules for her.” I smile, knowing that they see the strong, capable, and smart woman I do.
“Did you see who recommended her?”
“I did not.” If he is impressed, it has to be someone influential.
“Sebastian Thorne. Have anything to do with that?”
“Nope, didn't even know she was in his class. We didn't meet until after she graduated.” His eyes widen. We went to school with Sebastian; he was the first of us to find out about The Court. He has done well for himself, with the help of the Knights.
“So you have only known each other for a few months?” He smiles, feeling like he has uncovered some huge secret.
Just because I don't tell everyone everything doesn't mean I'm hiding things.
I mean, I do hide things, but Aria will never be one of them.
“She had said she moved here this weekend. Have anything to do with that?”
“Obviously. I couldn't leave her again.”
“But you left this weekend to go back to Acadia?”
“That’s different.”
“So did you date before and then rekindle? Wait, that wouldn't make sense if you met her after she graduated.” He takes a sip of his scotch before trying to piece the puzzle back together.
“How long are you planning on interrogating me about my relationship?”
“Until it makes sense. I do appreciate you admitting it's a relationship, though.”
“Would I ask for a favor for just anyone?”
“You never ask for favors.”
“Exactly.”
A knock on the office door pulls our attention. Ms. Davidson pokes her head in.
“Good to see you, Mr. Reeves. Mr. Castin, the interns will be leaving their end-of-day meeting soon. If you needed to tell them anything before they leave for the evening, now would be the time.”
“Thank you, Steph. We will head over there momentarily.”
I finish off the last of the scotch in my glass before placing it down on his desk. He continues to watch me as we head to the interns’ desks, practically taking notes to see if any changes in my body language will crack the code.
The desks are all full, except one. It seems the guy who sits next to Aria feels the need to lean all over her desk. Heat rises into my chest. Who the fuck is this guy, and why is he that close to my girl?
“Jealousy. This is serious.” Kai laughs.
“She won't be in tomorrow.”
“She has things to do, tasks to complete.”
“She can do them from home,” I growl before pushing past him to Aria's desk. As I get closer, I can start to hear the conversation between Aria and the guy, who, if he doesn't back off, will be found in a ditch.
“Still good for dinner and drinks tonight?” he asks.
She is going on a date? Didn't she just push for a title? She can't be serious.
“Ye—” She starts to respond, but I cut her off.
“She has plans.” Her head whips around in surprise.
Not a surprise of getting caught, but one of excitement.
She is smiling ear to ear. In a blink, she is up out of her chair and in my arms. I pull her in close, and when she lifts her face to mine, I cannot help but pull her lips against mine.
She lowers herself off her tiptoes, smiling up at me.
She looks over her shoulder at whatever his name is, who is just staring at us. “Yes, I will still be at dinner.”
“No, you won't,” I growl.
“You weren't home and couldn't tell me when you would be, so I made plans.”
“With another man? If I didn't make it clear, baby, I don't share.”
“It is most of the interns celebrating my joining the team. It won't be too long, promise,” she explains, and I do feel slightly better knowing she won't be alone with this fraternity reject.
I lean down, placing my lips against her ear.
“If you want to go to dinner with your friends, that's fine, but know I haven't stopped thinking of each and every way I am going to make you cum using the things you found in my closet.
I want to play, and I don't like being kept waiting.” I can hear her breath catch as she listens to my soft words.
“The longer I am left to wait, the harder it is going to be to earn my forgiveness.”
She lets out the softest moan. I pull away from her, smiling, knowing my words are affecting her body. She may be masking it well while we're in public, but I can see it. We may have to do this again sometime. I like watching her fight to hide what is happening.
“I will see you later. Enjoy your dinner.” I kiss the top of her head before walking away. Kai is still watching us from the hallway.
“Interesting,” is all he says as he leads me out of the building.