Page 55 of Checkmate

“I’m going to be late,” I giggle, and someone clears their throat. I look up and see Brennan dressed in a grey suit that moulds perfectly to his chiselled body. Jealousy swirls in my stomach over the thought that someone would have handmade that suit just for him and how close they must have been to him to take his measurements for that custom fit.

“Our call is in five minutes. I have the conference set up in the office.”

“There’s an office?” I ask and he nods. I stand from Chester’s lap, but before I can take a step he slaps my ass with a chuckle.

“Have a nice date,” Chester calls out as both Brennan and I exit the room.

Brennan leads me down to the main floor and through a door that leads to a dimly lit hallway with a singular door at the end. He opens the door and I look around the room, which looks like what I think a conference room would be like.

The room is a stark difference to the rest of the house. Creed's house has a gothic feel, whereas this room is all business. The walls are white except for a dark grey feature wall that has a rectangle shape cut out and lined with that kind of faux wood, showcasing crystal decanters filled with amber liquor.

The long table that would seat at least ten people has a light wooden top and metal legs. The chairs surrounding it are all grey bucket style seats, and a bonsai has been placed in the middle of the table. Brennan has the large screen extended down at the far end of the room.

“Is this thing on?” a guy says over the screen, only half of his mouth and nose visible.

“Kalen,” a girl snaps. “Move away from the screen, no one needs to see your boogers.”

I snicker at her comment.

“No, they want to see my monster co…omph. Why did you sucker punch me?” This Kalen guy says with a laugh.

Kalen finally steps back away from the camera, and I can take in the beautiful woman dressed in a black pinned striped pants suit, her hair pulled back into a braid. The guy looks less formal in a pair of slacks and business shirt with the top buttons undone in a casual way.

“Hi,” the woman, who I’m guessing is Amelie, says, and I awkwardly give her a wave. Both her and Kalen sit side by side, looking like a true power couple. I walk to the front of the room and sit in a seat Brennan has placed next to his.

“Thank you for calling us,” Brennan says. “I’m Brennan and this is Jolie.”

“Amelie and this is one of my boyfriends, Kalen.”

Kalen goes to open his mouth but Amelie digs her nails into his leg.

“You have more than one boyfriend? How do you manage it?” I ask with a sigh as Kalen smiles and Amelie gives him a warning look. “I’m trying to juggle ten.”

Brennan turns to me wide eyed.Shit, I just spilled our secret.I would make a terrible spy.

“Ten,” Kalen mutters, shaking his head. “That’s a lot of cocks and not enough holes.”

I snort as Amelie shoots him a death glare.

After chastising him, she turns back to us. “I apologise for him. I wanted one of his brothers to accompany me, but they’re all busy.”

“I have the smart one with me,” I say and look at Brennan, finding him smiling back at me.

“How about we get this business chat over with and then you can tell me about these ten guys.”

Brennan squirms in his seat. “Sounds good…Brennan?”

“We have come across some information, and I’m sure you can appreciate that there is information that neither of us can disclose given the secret nature of them, however, we have been looking into who would acquire our company in the unfortunate demise of its sole owner. It has come to our attention that it would go into the hands of a man named Harold Knox. We also found out that he has been ‘missing’ for some time now and that you, Amelie, are now in his position and would get the company by default.”

“I can understand your need for secrecy, Brennan, but upon initial contact with a man named Ziyon, I made some inquiries into your business. My people are good at what they do and found out all I needed to know. I know all about the experiments and what it is you do. One of our own is actually connected to you. I also have done my research into the men behind the company, and I have to say that if by chance your company was to fall into my hands, I have zero interest in taking it over. I can see why Harold would have wanted in, but we have enough on our plate. I would, however, be interested in working with you in the future, Jolie, if you do happen to take over, because mark my words, if I do sign it over, it will solely be to Jolie. I’m sorry but Ziyon is a wild card and someone who goes to that much trouble to hide themselves online isn’t someone that I would trust.”

“Done,” Brennan says, making my brows furrow. He was dead set on Ziyon getting half, and now he is making a deal with Amelie.

“Good. In the event of this transpiring, please get in contact with my personal assistant and I will get my lawyers to draw up a contract.”

“Again, thank you for your time, I know that you’re a busy woman. If that's everything…” Brennan says, trying to end the conversation.

“That's everything on the business front. You boys are dismissed, but I would like to continue my conversation with Jolie.”

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