"Yeah, I’d really love to hear them all, but the battery on my phone is running low," I chuckle.
"That's funny," Holden says before exploding in laughter.
"Wanker," Nikolaj exclaims.
"So how's business?" I change subject.
"Don't think I don't see right through you, Royal," Nikolaj warns. "For the sake of time and because I’ll have to run into a meeting soon, I'll answer your question. We’ll table this discussion again when I'm back in London."
"When will you be here?" Holden enquires.
“It should be in the next couple of weeks. We’re launching a new videogame and the kickoff happens in London," he announces.
"Congratulations," I say.
"Thank you, mate."
"That means we'll be able to hang out?" I ask.
"Absolutely. I can't guarantee Martin will be there because we’ve been gaining quite a lot of momentum in Russia for the last four months, but you never know. He might fly in just for a fun weekend."
"Sounds like you guys are on the top of the world," I observe.
"I’m grateful, but I don't take anything for granted.” Nikolaj is as hardcore about his tech venture as we are. “Enough about me. How have the last few days been for you guys?"
"Extremely busy.” Holden answers first. "We haven't wasted a minute since we landed—"
"Why am I not surprised? How many billions have you made this week, Viking?" Nikolaj jokes.
"It’ll take a while before it materializes, but we're definitely headed in that direction," Holden winks at me.
"He's right. We’ve each had meetings with big players today," I grin back.
“So you’re already putting Warren to good use?” Nikolaj chuckles.
“He’s definitely earning his paycheck,” Holden replies.
Nikolaj is the one who referred us to our corporate lawyer Warren Langham.
"So, life is good," Nikolaj concludes.
"Lady luck is definitely on our side," I say.
"Clearly, two successful billionaires like you don't need business advice from an old timer like me. So, how can I help you?"
"Holden and I have encountered an interesting situation."
"You haven't even been in the country a week and already you're wreaking havoc?"
"Who said anything about stirring shit?" Holden asks.
"Prove me wrong, Viking," Nikolaj challenges. Holden and I stare at each other for a beat. He nods at me and I start talking. Thirty minutes later, I’ve filled Nikolaj in on all of the details of our eventful first night in London. “I can’t believe you’ve already had to use Neil’s services,” Nikolaj laughs.
Nikolaj also referred us to Neil McGrath, aka the lawyer who cleaned up our mess at the Warwick.
“Oh, we have. He should get a check from us by end of week. We received his invoice this morning. It wasn’t pretty,” Holden confirms.
That princess with the beautiful green eyes doesn’t come cheap.
“I never imagined you’d be calling on him this early in the game, but I’m glad he was in your corner,” Nikolaj sympathizes.
“So are we,” Holden and I say in unison.
“Neil is the kind of hard-hitting never-give-in type you need when you find yourself in hot water,” Nikolaj observes. “Martin and I know that first-hand.”
“Yeah, without him, things would've turned out much differently for Holden and I,” I note.
“How did it play out when he got there?” Nikolaj asks.
“Let’s just say he proved why he's worth fifteen hundred sterling pounds an hour,” Holden says. “When the police showed up at the club, all hell broke loose. While the officers and the club's security guards were ushering the women back into the buildings, I furtively pulled out my phone and texted for help. In no time, Neil was on the scene—"
"The man is a smooth operator," I say.
"He's lethal without you even knowing it. That's what makes him so dangerous for the people going after his clients," Nikolaj nails it.
“In a blink of an eye we went from being trespassers to respectable businessmen visiting the premises because we were considering a membership at the club,” Holden explains. “He took things one step further.”
"I wouldn't expect anything less from him. Did he request a public apology with full media coverage?" Nikolaj’s amusement is audible.
“No, nothing that dramatic," I laugh.
"When the manager of the Warwick Club caught wind of what had transpired, he apologized profusely. He then offered us complimentary memberships,” Holden says.
“That’s Neil for you,” Nikolaj says. “The guy’s even more of a tyrant when you interrupt his weekends. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath.”
“Hell, no,” Holden and I both agree.
"My goodness, you two surely know how to get into some pretty deep shit. And all that for some pussy. You boys have plenty of time, you know. You don't need to get it all in one evening,” Nikolaj laughs at his own joke.
"Spoken like a man who gets it at home," Holden’s answer comes quick.
"Someone is testy," Nikolaj volleys.
"You don't fool anyone, Duke, with your holier than thou sermon. My cock is still a free agent and so is Brandon’s," Holden chuckles. “I know you're a married man now, but back in the days, I'm sure that you and Martin would've done the same thing."
"You know me well, mate," Nikolaj retorts.
We all laugh.
“So, do you know anything about the Warwick Club?” I cut to the chase.
"I'm afraid I can't help you much." I can read Holden's disappointment. I'm sure it mirrors mine. “The woman you described definitely sounds gorgeous, but she could be any socialite in the city. And who knows, but she might not even be British."
“She had the accent," I point out.
"Just because I spent my formative years in this country and hold two business degrees from some of the top universities in London doesn't make me a Brit."
"Good point," I reply.
We aren’t any closer to figuring who this girl is.
"So, which one of you is interested in this elusive damsel?"
I didn’t see Nikolaj’s question coming. And from the look of surprise painted on Holden's face, I'm not the only one.
“She wasn't herself that night,” Holden says. “Sober, things will be different. There's also the fact that she might be more drawn to one of us. And of course, neither of us might be her type." Good evasive answer.
Before he got married, bad boy Nikolaj had his fair share of threesomes. And foursomes. And five-somes. Only with women, though. For me, nothing comes close to watching my best friend defile a woman we share. It always makes me come like a fucking animal. A threesome with two women doesn't compare. I doubt Duke would understand.
"Since you're club members now, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you bump into her again,” Nikolaj points out. “Be patient."
"I've never been one to leave things to chance," Holden quips.
"This isn't a Navy SEAL covert mission, Viking. It's life. If it's meant to be, she’ll cross your path again," Nikolaj says. “I'm going to have to go. My driver just pulled up. Sorry I can’t be of more help.”
"Don't worry about it. See you soon, Duke," Holden says.
"Thanks," I add.
“If you can’t find her again, there are plenty of gorgeous women in London for you two to gorge on," Nikolaj laughs.
Perhaps, but there’s only one my cock wants right now.
When we hang up with Nikolaj, Holden and I sit for several long minutes in silence. A distinctive ringtone breaks our contemplation. Holden lowers his eyes to his iPhone and I do the same. We both pick up our phones and start reading the text message we just received.
“I’ll be damned.” Holden is the first to speak. "I can't believe the timing on this."
“Neither can I.”
“The Warwick is having a big party this coming Sunday nig
ht." Holden flashes me his legendary cocksure grin.
“Wait a minute,” I exclaim.
“What?”
“There’s another event next Wednesday night."
"No way." Holden pulls his gaze up from his screen.
“Seems like those complimentary memberships are already paying off,” I say. “Maybe Alistair won’t talk, but I’m sure we can coax it out of a few members.”
"When God kicks open a door for you like this, it's even better than the best made plan," Holden observes. "He’s throwing us a bone and I intend on accepting His offer."
Damn Right.
CHAPTER 5
Amelia
The ride up the all glass elevator to my private floor is quiet. It always is. Officer Stohler and Officer Roderick—the bodyguards hired to secure my personal safety—aren’t big talkers. When we get to the top floor, I bid them goodnight. They nod and head towards the secretary’s room adjacent to mine. With the door closed behind me, I walk straight to the bedroom where I drop my handbag and then head to the bathroom with urgency, stripping out of my damp clothing along the way.
After an hour-long bath, I feel human again. I wrap myself in the oversized plush white dressing gown and make my way to the bar in the living room. I’ve barely taken a couple of steps and the distinctive ringtone fills the suite. “Bollocks,” I grumble. I race to the bedroom with the determination of a gold medal winner, but before I even reach my bag my phone stops ringing. “Shit.” I rummage through my Louis Vuitton black leather tote and grab my phone just as it rings again. I don't recognize the number, but still, I pick up. There are only a handful of people who have the number to my personal phone—the one Daddy’s security team isn’t tracking. “Hello," I say cautiously.
“It’s me, honey.”
“Charlie!" I rejoice.
"Amelia!” my best friend shouts, adding at least eight letter A’s to end of my name. "I know it's super late in your part of the world, but now that I have a new iPhone, I intend on making up for lost time. Since you don’t have this new number, I thought I’d call first and suggest we FaceTime.”
“I love the way you think,” I tell her.
“Great. Are you decent or are you walking around in your knickers flashing all of Seoul?” she asks.
“Nah, I skipped that part altogether. Au natural gets the point across so much faster."
“That’s my girl.” We both laugh. “All right let’s do this,” she cheers.
I lower my phone and wait for her face to pop up on my screen.
“There you are,” I say when I see her smiling at me.
It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night, Charlie’s bleach blonde short hair is coiffed and her beautiful face if perfectly painted. In other words, she always means business.
“God, it seems like it’s been ages.”
“I agree. I still can’t believe what’s happened to you,” I say.
"I can’t believe it either and I lived through it. It's a miracle of God I haven’t murdered anyone after having to go through a dreadful tech withdrawal. Is this what drug addicts go through? Honestly, pulling out my liver without anesthesia would've been less painful." I've missed that sharp sense of humor.
"How did you lose your phone? You don't even go to bed without that thing being nearby," I laugh. I'm not criticizing. I'm the same way.
"Before we get into my sad tale, how’s Seoul and how was the conference in Japan? More importantly, how’s my favorite person in the whole wide world?" Her lips break into a huge smile.
Charlotte Louise Wentworth and I have been best friends since the third week of my arrival at my offshore boarding school. She's one year older than me, but because she was born in November, we ended up in the same year. When she walked inside the loo near the gymnasium where I found myself cornered by three mean girls doing their best to scare the shit out of me, Charlie came to my rescue. Since then we've been inseparable.
"Thank you very much for asking. She's fine. Jetlagged like crazy and perhaps still a little hungover from her birthday party, but she's still alive and that's all that counts, right?"
“In my book it is,” she winks.
“Charlie, are you sure you want me to go first? Yes, my day has been pretty shitty, but your situation is far worse than mine.”
“Had we been in London, you’d come by my place with some takeaway and I’d take care of the booze—”
“Of course.” No one prepares a martini like Charlie. That woman has some serious skills.
“Behind the comfort of my walls, we could’ve consoled each other. When your best friend is as much of a go-getter as you are, this is as good as it gets,” she taps a red fingernail to the screen.
“You’re right,” I laugh. "We’re too ambitious for our own good."
“We are—to the detriment of my mother.”
Yeah, Charlie’s mum thinks we’re crazy for pursuing challenging careers when we could live off of our big fat trust funds. How boring and predictable is that? Daddy nearly had a heart attack when I asked him to cut me off of the hefty monthly allowance I’ve been receiving since university. He was worried I wouldn’t survive. He’s so adorable. I don't need the money. My business more than supports me.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way."
"I hear you. Start talking, woman," she waves at her screen.
“Okay, you win,” I say, walking toward the white sofa located in front of the huge window. From this vantage point, I get a bird’s-eye view of Seoul’s skyline. I take a seat and pull my legs underneath me.
“Are you all comfy now or do you require a few more throw pillows?” Charlie teases. “An ottoman maybe?”
“Smartass,” I retort, swinging my hair back.
“Chop-chop, girlfriend. I don’t have all night.” I roll my eyes.
“I spent the last three days at the Industrial Design Conference in Tokyo. Those conferences are an all day, all night affair. I’ve been keeping a relentless pace. I still don’t know how I managed given how hard I partied before leaving London. I'm pretty sure I must've swayed onto that plane unless someone had to carry me on board.”
"Oh, you were very loaded—”
"That much?"
"Yup.” Her lips form a thin line.
“That's so unlike me,” I offer.
“We'll talk about it a little later." That's a weird response. Her face is unreadable.
“All right,” I say cautiously.
Charlie told me to party my face off on my birthday. Mission accomplished. The whole point was for me to have unconstrained fun until the wee hours of the morning and then catch the first flight out of London. I slept the whole way. When I woke up in Tokyo, I thought someone was jack-hammering my skull. Now, I really have to wonder how much I drank that night.
“What’s so shitty about what you just described?" Charlie asks changing the subject. Over the next few minutes I share with Charlie the details of my eventual arrival in Seoul. When I'm done she says, "I take it from your calm demeanor that Blue Lotus did right by you?"
"They did. Luckily the manager knows me well. It took longer than expected, but he made up for it by demanding that the restaurant stayed open later. Officer Stohler, Officer Roderick and I were treated to a delicious French dinner at Coq au Vin. By the time we were done, Mr. Koo informed me that the Royal Suite was once again all mine.” Thank God. This has nothing to do with me being a prima donna. I really have to be on the top floor of a hotel when I travel. That’s one of the drawbacks of having two bodyguards as my shadows.
"Good thing that’s sorted,” Charlie says.
"Now that you know everything there is to know about me, it’s your turn."
“Being without a phone for five excruciatingly long days was a nightmare. Unfortunately for me, I arrived in Buenos Aires on a Saturday after the shops were closed. Nothing is open on Sundays here. Monday was a bank holiday—the National Flag Day. I had to wait until Tuesday morning to find a bloody iPhone v
endor."
"Seriously?" I ask, surprised.
"Yup. When I finally bought a new phone, I was booked solid all day Tuesday in meetings. Hence, I was only able to program my phone late last night. By the time I was done, I was completely zonked out and I passed out still clutching my phone.”
"God, I would’ve lost my mind had I been in your situation."
“I was on the verge of burning my own hair off. I couldn’t even remember Terry’s phone number—just like yours, it’s on speed dial. I had to go to the business center at the hotel—thank God those still exist—and use one of the computers to log into my Facebook account and send him messages of distress. That’s when I sent you a message as well.”
"You didn’t bring your laptop with you?” I ask.
"No. I thought I was being cool leaving London without my MacBook Pro to test the waters of solely relying on my phone. Great idea, in theory, unless you lose your bloody phone.” Her lips fall in a frown. “I’m certain I had my phone with me on the way to your penthouse after your party. I know because I texted Terence with an urgent matter and he responded. I think I left it in the backseat of the car on the way to airport to catch the red eye to Buenos Aires after I dropped you off. There was so much going on that night.”
"Wait a minute. Why did you take me home? I thought that was the chauffeur’s job. Where was he?" I ask.
"He was forced to vacate the premises." Charlie pauses. “All the other limo drivers were also ordered to do the same."
"Why? By Who?"
"There’s another reason why I was dying to get a new iPhone. There's a lot for us to catch up on."
"You still haven't responded to my question," I remind her. “Why are you being so evasive, Charlie?”
She let out a long sigh. That's not good. “We got a little unexpected visit from London police.”
“What?” I shriek. My eyes widen from the shock. I'm sure I misheard her. "Are we talking about my twenty-fifth birthday party? The one that took place last Friday night?"
"Yes.”
“That doesn't make any sense. Did I assault anyone in my drunken stupor?"
"You were definitely past the four drinks mark. I’ve never seen you that drunk. No one will ever hold that against you. It was your big day. You're supposed to get hammered. It's a rite of passage. God knows I was totally and utterly carparked last year when I turned twenty-five." She was in a big way. "That said you're not the one who caused the drama.”
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