Page 10 of Kaid's Empire

I follow him through the yacht, reminding myself to not let my jaw drop in amazement. Butterflies swarm my stomach as we walk. This is insane and a completely different world that I in no way belong.

We enter a room––it’s like a small ballroom which is ridiculous because we are on a boat. I can’t help it, my jaw drops as I look around the room. “Theia! Darling, I am so happy you came!” Allegra greets, walking over to me her arms wide, pulling me in for a hug like we are old friends, and we didn’t just meet yesterday.

“Allegra, your yacht is like a flipping floating mansion,” I blurt.

“Oh, sweetie, it’s just a boat.” She laughs.

I raise my brow and look at her. “I really don’t belong here,” I mutter to her.

“Nonsense, it’s just money. Everyone has money, just some have more than others. I started off with nothing and now look at me.” She pauses, linking her arm with mine. “Admittedly, it’s all my husband’s money, but still,” she whispers, making me laugh. “Now, come on, let me introduce you to my guests.” She turns to the crew member that brought me up here. “Get Theia a glass of champagne right away, please, Simon.” He nods and scurries off.

Allegra parades me around the room like I'm her latest show pony. I don’t mind, I'm guessing everyone here already knows each other. “So, tell me, Theia, what brings you to Monaco?” a woman called Pricilla asks as she sips her champagne.

“Just on holiday, nothing else. Figured I would treat myself to a few weeks of luxury before returning home to work my arse off to pay for my house.” I laugh. A few of the men let out a small laugh with me, but Pricilla just scrunches her nose up in disgust. I bet she hasn’t worked a day in her life.

“That is admirable, Theia. You are a strong and independent woman––you want something, you work to get it,” Allegra adds, her eye on Pricilla. She gives me a wink and I appreciate that she has my back. “Just don’t go telling my husband that or he may get ideas!” She laughs. Everyone laughs apart from Pricilla.

Allegra hooks her arm through mine and leads us away. “Ignore her, she was born into money and married for money. I can’t stand her but her husband, William, is a good friend of my husband.” She sighs.

“Don’t apologise.” I look around. “Where is your husband anyway? You haven’t introduced me,” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “In his office, talking business with a friend. Honestly, he has endless amounts of money but is always looking to make more. I swear he will never retire.”

We talk some more and she introduces me to a nice guy called Ben. He owns the biggest yacht company in Europe. “So, this isn’t the biggest yacht that you sell? There are even bigger ones?” I ask, astounded.

He smiles. He has a handsome face and kind eyes. “That’s the truth. Some just want bigger, it’s all about what you have and what you can afford, especially when coming to Monaco.”

“Well, in that case, I'm shit out of luck because apart from a few quid in the bank, I have nothing. Not even a rubber dingy.” I laugh.

He chokes on his champagne and laughs. “I don’t think I've ever heard anyone speak like you before.”

I blush. “Sorry, I guess I'm not up on how to speak like the rich and famous. You’ll have to just put up with the standard Bristol girl talk.” I shrug and wink. I need to watch myself on the champagne as I start to feel a little lightheaded.

Ben leans in a little closer, whispering, “Don’t apologise, you're a breath of fresh air around these uptight snobs.”

I smile. “I'm glad at least one person is happy to have me here.”

“Oh, I am more than happy.” He winks.

I feel my face blush at his flirty behaviour. “Theia, sweetie, come meet my husband, Aleck,” Allegra calls.

“Excuse me,” I say before turning around to meet Allegra’s husband.

“Aleck, this beauty is Theia, we met in the salon yesterday and hit it off. You’ll just love her.”

I hold out my hand and he takes it in his, leaning in, he kisses each cheek. “Nice to meet you, Aleck. I just hope I live up to Allegra’s expectations.”

“My wife is never wrong, if she says you're a good person then you're a good person,” he answers with a thick accent.

“Well, I'm honoured you invited me here tonight, you have a beautiful yacht,” I compliment.

He shrugs. “It is just a home.”

“I'm sorry, I love your accent, where are you from?” I ask.

“I am Russian, I see my wife forgot to mention that part,” he teases.

She leans into him and playfully slaps his chest. “Darling, I just didn’t have time to talk all about you, we had more important things to talk about,” she teases.

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