Page 51 of Relentless (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 2)

“You look amazing,” Lilith says when I walk into the kitchen. “I love that suit.”

“Thank you,” I point at her, “I love your outfit.” She looks like a supermodel in a pair of high waisted black pants and a short sleeve white cashmere sweater. “You’ve come a long way from the girl I met in ripped jeans and chucks almost four years ago.”

“She’s still in here, just has to gloss up from time to time.” She slides a travel mug of perfect coffee in front of me. “Do you want to use one of our drivers? I’m staying in the building all day, so I won’t need mine.”

“Oh, no. You guys are letting me stay here all summer for free. I don’t want to-”

“If you say the word impose, I’m going to slap you,” Lilith snaps.

“Why’s Ivy getting slapped?” Con asks from the living room.

“She’s refusing to use one of our drivers for the day, even though I don’t need to leave the building.”

“Take the car,” Con says from behind Lilith telling me with his eyes that it’ll be work better for the appointment after work. “In fact, I’ll walk you down to the garage. You heading out now?”

“Yeah,” I grab my purse and a banana.

Con opens the door and follows me down to the elevator.

“It’s kind of surreal to be standing here with you like this, about to help you pick out an engagement ring for Lilith.” I smile, thinking about how uncomfortable I was around him at first. “You used to intimidate the shit out of me.”

He smirks, “I know.”

“And now I know you’re just a big softie inside that scowly exterior.”

“I can honestly say no one has ever described me as a softie,” he stabs a finger at the basement button on the elevator. “I’d rather not ever hear it again.”

“Just a big old teddy bear,” I tease. “Oh! I know, a teddy bear version of those Russian nesting dolls.”

“I miss the version of you that was intimidated by me,” he glares, but it has zero effect on me.

I’ve been through hell the past three years, on my own for the most part. My own mother sabotaged my relationship with Levi by secretly putting a camera in my bedroom and catching us together. Dad flipped and brought me home to finish high school at a private school in Hartford. He also forbade me from having contact with Levi, at least while I finished school. By the time that summer rolled around, I was neck deep in therapy and training. I spent all my time doing either of those things while everyone else was enjoying their summer on luxury vacations and partying.

I am ten times stronger and more self-aware than I ever was before. I know my worth and that my aspirations are more important than anyone else’s expectations for me. I’m living life for me, not to fulfill anyone else’s desires. Dad was heartbroken by decision to end my swimming career when I graduate from Yale next spring, but I know he’ll eventually come around. I just have to keep focusing on my goals and aspirations.

There’s a small office off the bank of elevators where the drivers and some of the Volkov family’s personal security are set up during the day. Connor opens the door and guides me in.

“This is Ivy Bane, she’s living with Lilith and myself this summer. She gets a driver and protection just like we do.”

“No. I don’t need that.”

“Saul, drive her down to Marsh Financial.” Con completely ignores my protest. “I’ll come get you, and we can run to the jeweler together,” he says as he turns to me. “Have a good first day.” He turns on his heel and steps back onto the elevator.

I smile awkwardly and follow the man who introduces himself as Saul to me. He opens the back door of a black sedan for me. We make conversation on the thirty-minute drive down to lower Manhattan.

“Thank you, Saul,” I tell him as he helps me from the car. “Have a nice day.”

“Good luck on your first day, Miss Bane.”

The street in front of the building that houses all the financial advisors and executive offices for Marsh Bank and Financial Co. is bustling with activity. Men with messenger bags and briefcases walk past me intent on getting to work. The stock exchange is only a few blocks over, and I’m hoping to be able to check it out at some point this summer. I push open the door and walk to the security desk Frank told me to check in at.

“Hi, I’m Ivy Bane. Here to see Mr. Marsh,” I tell the man sitting behind the desk.

He nods and types something on his computer before picking up the phone and calling Frank’s secretary. “Take this badge, it’ll work on any elevator, and go up to the fifty-eighth floor. Taylor will meet you there and take you to his office,” he says as he hands me a plastic badge with the bank’s logo on it.

I hit the up button and let myself think about the one thing I’ve been avoiding since Frank offered the internship a month ago. Levi is probably somewhere here in this building right now. I haven’t seen him since I left him in tears on the floor of my closet. I haven’t spoken to him since that night, either. I don’t know what to expect.

I fight the urge to fidget as the elevator climbs. It stops on the fifth floor where the building cafe is, and several men get on. They all give polite nods or smiles, but one leers a little too long. I roll my eyes when he finally turns around, especially when I notice his wedding band. Gross. They get off on the forty-first floor, and I’m left to climb the rest of the way alone with my anxious thoughts of Levi.

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