33. Declan
“You ready for today?” Lex eyes me from across the elevator, a soft smile on her lush lips.
I already found myself staring at her mouth a dozen times since breakfast, the vision of my cock disappearing into it warring with one of her flushed and needy, impaled between Shane and Linc. I can’t decide which I prefer. Absently, I shift to adjust myself.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
She smirks, Linc rolling his eyes at my short reply. Lex doesn’t need me to elaborate; she knows I’m ready, she just wants me to admit the same. I’m ready, thanks to you.
Sex could be clarifying. In the aftermath of arguably the best sexual encounter of my life, I had a few revelations. As I railed against Lex and my own feelings, I failed to celebrate something monumental–we’d been funded. Startups were a dime a dozen, but startups with prominent VC backing? Those were in a far more exclusive group. Shane and Linc were right–we should’ve been celebrating the last three months.
Looking back, it’s laughable that I tried to liken Lex to Anne-Marie for so long. Our conniving former business partner didn’t have a compassionate bone in her body. She looked out for number one–herself–and didn’t give a flying fuck what happened to anyone around her. She sold an inspiring story of trial and error, a bright young woman making it in a cutthroat industry, but it was all smoke and mirrors.
Lex was the antithesis of Anne-Marie. Cunning, direct, and invested in the people around her as much as she was in their professional success–more so, even.
“Greenstar’s on the schedule for this morning.” Linc stares at his phone with the Summit schedule pulled up on the event app.
Lex nods. “Right before you. We might run into her. Are you worried?”
Am I?I don’t want to be, but I can’t deny the thought of coming face-to-face with her is unpleasant.
“No.” Shane answers before I can, stepping through the elevator doors as they open.
He looks as relaxed as ever, hands tucked in the pockets of his dark gray suit pants. A small smile lifts Lex’s mouth as she glances from him to me, and I want to kick myself for missing so many similar moments over the last few months. Paris Lex is playful, unguarded. She’s quick to smile and laugh, and seems happiest when touching one of us. Is this what she’s like at home, too?
“She’ll try to unsettle you, Declan.” Lex pitches her voice low, her hand on my shoulder as we walk toward the registration desk. “Don’t let her. She’s the one who stands to lose everything today, not you. Remember that.”
I dip my chin as she grips me gently before moving to greet the event organizers with a smile. They’re clearly pleased to see her, several of them rushing over to take her hand. She’s relaxed and warm in response, one hand in the pocket of her wide-leg pants. So fucking effortless.
“You good?” Shane steps over, holding out my badge.
Taking it, I run a thumb over the bold green ‘Presenter’ banner along the top. It’s simple, but seeing my name and title over ‘Solum Technologies’ is something else. We’d never invested in business cards, so the opportunity to see my name in something more official than an email signature was rare. Everything suddenly feels real. I’m struck with the weight of the moment, years of pressure and strain fading as fragile hope settles in its place.
“You did it.” Linc joins us, gripping my shoulder.
I look from him to Shane, my Adam’s apple bobbing. “We did.”
Lex wanders over, a soft smile on her lips as she regards us. Linc offers her a badge, which she loops over her head without hesitation. My eyes drop to the bold black letters under her name.
“It says Athena Ventures.”
She glances down. “So it does. Should it say something different?”
“I…no. I suppose not.” It feels wrong for her to be here representing Athena and not Solum. She belongs with us.
The thought catches me by surprise and I blink rapidly, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Solum’s yours, Declan. I’m just here to celebrate your success.”
Clearing my throat, I stare hard at the badge in my hands. “Thank you,” I manage, voice raw.
“Don’t thank me. Thank yourselves.”
Linc grins as Shane ducks his head, hiding his smile.
“No, Lex,” I press, meeting her gaze. “We wouldn’t be here without you. And whatever happens in there today…” I swallow roughly, my voice trailing to nothing as nerves and hope and wicked want momentarily overwhelm me.
Lex grips my forearm. “Declan, don’t–”
“I’m grateful.” Her expression softens at my insistent words. “I’m so fucking grateful, Lex. For your team, for Athena. But mostly for you.”
Silence falls in our small circle as warmth gathers in my chest. Lex’s fingers on my sleeve may as well be a brand for how they sear straight to my soul.
“Wow, brother. Paris really is magic,” Linc quips, breaking the growing tension.
Chuckling, I take a deep breath to ground myself, staring once again at the badge in my hands. I’m vaguely aware of Lex saying something to Linc and Shane before walking away, leaving the three of us in the welcome lobby.
“We should go catch the opening ceremonies,” Linc suggests, stepping toward the main theater of the Palais des Congrès.
“Yeah,” I mutter absently, draping the lanyard over my head as I follow him and Shane. Lex’s touch lingers.
The convention center hums, the crowd lively with first-day energy. As we move toward the main theater, a familiar grating laugh breaks out just ahead. Linc’s spine snaps straight as he glances toward the noise. The crowd parts, and there the bitch is.
As though aware of our presence, Anne-Marie Townsend turns to look over her shoulder, harsh brown eyes zeroing in on me. Surprise flickers in her gaze before it sharpens to determination, and she turns back to her small audience.
“That didn’t take long,” Linc mutters, moving to go wide of Anne-Marie.
I assume she won’t let us by so easily. A second later, she proves me right.
“Lincoln Wilde,” she calls, one hand on her hip. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Of course it’s my brother she targets first. His shoulders are tight as he turns to give her a flat look. He doesn’t speak, and the small group around her exchange raised eyebrows as he regards her stonily. Anne-Marie cocks her head, then turns to Shane.
“Shane, I’m surprised to see you. I thought you would’ve slunk back to Seattle with your tail between your legs long before now.”
“Why? We’ve been on the agenda for months.”
She blinks, seemingly taken aback by his cool response. It’s further proof she never paid attention to anyone other than herself–Shane’s retort is laughably on-brand. Her lips part, then purse, her gaze finally landing on me.
“Declan.”
“Anne-Marie.”
“I’m looking forward to hearing more about your tech. Pity you’re going after us, though. I’ll just be stealing your thunder.” Her eyes flash with triumph at the chuckles from her audience.
“There’s certainly something to be said for first mover advantage,” I concede, “though I’ve always focused more on results. That was the key difference between us, wasn’t it?”
Anne-Marie crosses her arms, waiting for me to go on. I give her a wolfish smile, tamping down the fury I’ve felt since her betrayal. Faced with the opportunity to dress her down, I find I don’t want to waste the energy. I want to eviscerate her company, yes, but she isn’t worth my time. When I look at her, all I feel is pity.
“You might be seduced by speed, but I’ll always put functionality first. You’ll give me the perfect lay up, Ms. Townsend. You can share all the lofty promises you’re so fond of, get the ball ready, but it’ll be Solum who sends it through the net.” I’m looking forward to it.
“You think you’re hot shit now, huh? Got a little funding and think you can waltz in here and play in the majors.” Anne-Marie spreads her arms, like she owns the Summit and everyone attending. “What even is Procerus without me, Declan? The three of you couldn’t make it happen then, and you can’t now.”
“Well, Ms. Townsend.” Lex steps up next to me, poised and nonplussed. “I’d say it was a pleasure to see you again, but we both know that would be a lie.”
Shocked murmurs start up in Anne-Marie’s crowd, a tall man in the back glaring daggers at Lex as he steps forward. Lex had mentioned she saw Anne-Marie at Bay events here and there. From what I understood, they’d always been civil.
“I didn’t realize we had history, Lex.” Anne-Marie’s careful mask slips as she glances back at the people behind her. “I assure you I wish you nothing but the best.”
Lex cocks her head, a patronizing smile on her lips. “This is the fourth–no, fifth–opportunity you’ve missed to right your past indiscretions, Ms. Townsend. One must wonder whether you’re truly that calculating, or simply oblivious. In our line of business, I know which is worse. Do you?”
Anne-Marie gapes. I’ve never seen her at a loss for words. Point, Lex.
“That’s enough.” The tall, dark-haired man scowls, and Shane moves to intercede.
Lex holds up a hand, bringing Shane to an immediate halt. “It’s good to see you, brother. Despite the company you keep.”
Brother?I glance at Shane and Linc, but their expressions are stoic. I knew Lex had a brother in the business, everyone in the Bay did, though I’d never met the man.
“Are you seriously here just to stir shit, Lex?” Her brother’s voice is low as he leans in, clearly wanting to keep the conversation between them.
“I’m here to celebrate the launch of one of Athena’s most promising clients,” she answers, her voice firm and clear. “Why are you here, Nate?”
“You know damn well why I’m here,” he snarls.
Shane is a solid wall next to me. Linc shifts, gripping his arm tightly and shooting me a concerned look. Despite the tension, Lex laughs. She shakes her head, smirking at her brother.
“I don’t, actually. I’ve been focused on my client. I suggest you do the same; seems she could use the coaching.”
Anne-Marie’s cheeks pinken. “I do not need coaching,” she protests. “I’m perfectly prepared and looking forward to sharing Greenstar’s revolutionary technology later today. You may have been fooled by those three and their pathetic last ditch effort to get attention, but I’m the one–”
“Do not mistake my professionalism for leniency,” Lex sneers. “I can look past your insolence and lack of preparedness three years ago, Ms. Townsend, though I won’t forget it. But I will not allow you to stand there and make baseless claims about my clients.”
Lex takes a step forward as Anne-Marie tries to back up, but the people behind her aren’t about to move away and miss the show.
“The three businessmen behind me have given their all to Solum Technologies, and they’ve built something remarkable. You might be good at selling an idea, but I suspect your ability to deliver is as nonexistent as your professional courtesy.”
“Lex, that’s enough.” Nate’s nostrils flare as he stares his sister down.
Lex tsks, her eyes on Anne-Marie, who is white as a sheet. “You’re right. It is. Ms. Townsend isn’t worth another second of my time.” She turns to Nate, dismissing Anne-Marie.
Nate’s eyes narrow as Anne-Marie’s gaze pings back and forth between the siblings.
“Anne-Marie.”
I turn to Shane in surprise as he calls to her, his deep voice deadly and soft. Her gaze flies to his, her lips pinched in frustration.
“You asked what we even have without you.” Shane slides a nonchalant hand into his pocket, his expression hard. “Nothing you gave to Procerus made a difference, so why would you possibly think we ever needed you? You did us a favor when you walked out the door.”
Anne-Marie’s brow furrows. “Listen here, Shane–”
“Is Reginald here?” Lex barks at Nate, ignoring our former partner entirely.
Anne-Marie steps back abruptly, eyes wide as she notices the attention of the crowd. Swallowing roughly, she spins and hurries away, shoulders hunched.
“He is,” Nate bites out, glaring daggers at his sister.
Lex sighs. “That’s a shame. I’m sure you were hoping he’d let you do something on your own for once.”
His jaw clenches so tight I’m surprised we don’t hear his teeth crack.
“Anyway,” Lex continues airily, turning toward us, “we have places to be, don’t we?” With a pointed look at Nate, she starts toward the theater as she tosses the final word over her shoulder. “Good luck, brother. Make good choices.”
I turn wide eyes to Linc and Shane as we follow her. Shane’s scowling, no doubt still frustrated at Nate’s treatment of Lex, but Linc is grinning ear-to-ear.
“That was hot, right?” Linc whispers. “Really fucking hot. Fuck, she’s something else.”
“Get it together,” Shane deadpans.
Linc grins and I fight a smile. Of course, my brother catches it.
“Dec even agrees with me! Look at that smug grin.” Linc jostles me with his shoulder. “Bet you’re as turned on as I am.”
“Fuck off, Linc,” I groan as Shane rolls his eyes. “Time and fucking place.”
No need to tell him he’s right.