Page 44 of The Forbidden
I glance up from my phone, giving him my full attention.
Tonight we showcase our latest collection, with hundreds of millions potentially on the table, if it goes how we anticipate it should. It’s an important night, with existing and new clients from around the world attending. Many of them, obscenely rich and influential, will gather in a private suite in one of Jameson’s hotels, to preview and purchase some of the rarest, most expensive, diamonds on the planet. Anais better not fuck it up.
The little brat has not only fucked with my lunch, but now she’s decided to fuck with my carefully organized desk. Within the last couple days, she’s made a point of leaving a mess in my office, several times. I can just about cope with the croutons, but fucking with my desk? That’s taking it a step too far.
Anais is aware of my obsessive tendencies. She knows I like organization and order. So when she scattered pens, again, I nearly lost my damn mind. I wanted nothing more than to lay her across my knee and spank her ass for her insolence.
My cock tightens in my pants at the thought.
Clearing my throat, I glance at Aria, then Bishop – her ex-bodyguard, and now fiancé – then back to my father. My mother isn’t joining us tonight, choosing to stay home and look after her grandson.
They all stare at me, waiting for my response.
“She’ll be fine if she can keep her brattiness in check.” I finally answer.
“Brattiness?”One eyebrow raises in questioning amusement.
I huff a laugh. “Don’t act surprised. You know she’s a damn brat.”
My sister chimes in, unhelpfully. “Well, I actually think Anais has matured a lot since I last saw her.”
Shaking my head, I snort. Aria believes this because she doesn’t see the side of Anais that she only seems to reserve for me. I’m sure if she witnessed her childish games she would think differently. But… there is also another side to Anais. Softer. Submissive. Vulnerable.
I’ve spent the better part of two days trying to forget that damn kiss, but I should’ve known better. It’s just like that fucking little brat to infiltrate my mind, reminding me she’s still here waiting for me. I grit my teeth.
She has no business being anywhere in my head, or anywhere else for that matter.
My father smirks. “Would you spend nearly a million dollars on abrat,” he raises his brow in challenge, and it takes everything inside me not to bite back. What’s the point?
“A million dollars? On what?” Bishop blurts, frowning.
“It’s nothing,” I snap.
“On the contrary,” my dad says smugly. “Installing a panoramic elevator in our building just to make Anaiscomfortable, is definitely something.”
Aria’s gaze swings to me, her eyes wide when she gasps. “You did what?”
I rub my temples, trying to alleviate the headache that is forming. “Jesus fucking Christ, will everyone shut the hell up.”
Laughter erupts in the back of the car. My jaw tightens.
“Ah. We’re here,” my father muses.
I glance out the window, my brows furrowing as I scan our surroundings. This isn’t The Calloway, the five-star luxury hotel hosting our event, this is–
My accusing gaze swings to my father, “Why are we at Anais’s building?”
Dad smooths a hand down his tie, clearing his throat. “Because we’re picking her up,” he says simply.
“No shit,” I deadpan. “Why are we picking her up?”
“I didn’t want her travelling alone,” he mutters, the smirk playing on his lips, knowing.
My jaw tightens, but I don’t dignify him with a response. Instead, I settle back in the buttery leather seat and sip my scotch. I don’t make it a habit to drink at our own events – usually sticking to a two-drink limit – but I need something to take the edge off before Anais climbs in and sucks all the air out of the vehicle.
My father types something on his phone before slipping it into his suit jacket pocket and turning his attention to me. “You’re responsible for Anais tonight. Make sure she knows what to do.”
Irritation slithers through my veins, and I bristle. “I already explained everything to her yesterday. If she can’t follow simple instructions, then maybe she shouldn’t be attending one of our most lucrative events.”
