Page 63 of Capture
30
18 months later
Ifound them sitting in the viewing room at the end of the hall, smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. That sweet cocktail scent, I’d become used to, and knew my men were relaxed and feeling satisfied with life. Good. That’s how I wanted it. If they’re happy, then I'm so glad, and vice versa. It was a game of four where there were no individual winners or losers, but we always fought for and with one another as a team, a family.
I waved the smoke away from my face as three pairs of eyes dragged their gaze away from the window to greet me.
“Which one?” I asked, showing them four samples of wallpaper for the Velvet rooms. I chose material that was easy to clean and looked expensive, even though they were on sale.
“The red,” Ronan was the first to reply, then glanced at Mikky, who had a pained expression on his face.
“I don’t remember giving you my approval to action this, Annika,” he said in his business tone.
“Yes, you did. I was saying the other day in bed that the rooms need to be updated, and you said, “Fine.” That’s what you said, ‘Fine.’ That’syougiving me approval,” I explained.
“I meant 'fine' as in stop going on about it,” he reasoned, sternly.
“I only asked ten thousand times and you finally said, ‘fine,’” I argued back, ignoring his argument.
Gunner smacked his lips, chuckling under his breath. “She’s a bossy broad, aren’t she?”
“Yes,” Mikky groaned.
“So, which one?” I asked them again. “Which wallpaper do you like?”
“I like the dark blue,” Gunner pointed out. Typical of Gunner to choose the dark, moody one, but an entire room dressed in this wallpaper would look super classy.
“Mikky?” I urged, even though he was being difficult. “Which one?”
He forced himself to look at the samples, acting all grouchy and stubborn as per usual, which didn’t work on me anymore. Despite my simmering Fall’s icy exterior, he was on the inside a cuddly teddy bear, as long as you didn’t piss him off by hurting one of his family.
“Have you finished your marine biology assignment?” he pressed in that tone of authority.
“Of course,” I replied, enthusiastically. “I handed it in earlier today.”
I had only one more year to go before I graduate, and then I could work full-time at the club, now that I was over twenty-one. By then, I would’ve had enough experience to perform Betty’s old role. Ronan had stated several times that he would be glad to hand it over, as he had been filling in until it was time for me to take over.
That was the deal I made with the guys. If I completed my marine biology degree and worked part-time in the club in junior roles, I would be eligible for promotion.
“The gold one,” Mikky finally gave me an answer.
I snarled exhaustedly. “Three different answers, three different colors.”
“Use different wallpapers for different rooms,” Mikky suggested, which was exactly what I was hoping he’d say.
“What a fabulous idea,” I gasped, slightly exaggerated to encourage him. I’d never forget Sylvie saying to me a year ago, when we came together in peace at the olive branch meeting, ‘The best way to get your way is to convince them that your idea was theirs all along.’
She was right. She also said if you want them to do something for you, butter them up with praise. She was right about that, too.
We’ve become distant allies, women in business who want the best outcomes for all of us. If I were to be honest, I doubt that we’d be as friendly if we lived in the same city and worked in the same club. One thing Sylvie and I had in common is that we’re fiercely territorial, not just over land but our men.
“Oh my gosh, I could design themed rooms,” I suggested, excitedly, and I could see him baffled by my enthusiasm. Then his expression changed when he realized he’d been duped. Even Gunner and Ronan knew I was blindsiding him, but they sat there with broad smiles.
Good one, Sylvie.
“Decision done,” I announced as I walked away.
“What did I just agree to?” I heard Mikky asking the guys.
