Strictly Business (Mixing Business With Pleasure Series Book 1)

by Ace Gray

  Why had I crumbled? Why had I cried? Why wasn’t I down at the Venture Group ripping Bryant a new asshole? That’s what I would have done if it were anyone else. Why couldn’t I find my backbone and stand up for my company and myself? I hated the answer. My walls had vanished and I’d started to believe he needed me. I’d even hoped for something more—a future perhaps—and made concessions accordingly.

  There were sharp, jagged bolts of pain radiating through my chest that were far worse than being battered or bruised. Eventually my breathing slowed and the tears stopped, but the feeling of complete and utter betrayal lingered.

  Around seven, sunlight filled my office and something shifted. I was determined to grow a set of balls and go stand up for myself. I contemplated simply calling Bryant, but I needed to see his eyes when I confronted him.

  In the end, Vesper and Laura were all I really had. I could thank the bastard for reminding me of that. I picked myself up from the floor. I gathered the scattered report papers as well, feeling the urge to bring them with me. I threw on sunglasses and trudged out.

  What would I say to Bryant? I had a car ride to figure it out, but nothing came to mind. The words had finally stopped hurdling through my brain and instead it was a void. I couldn’t believe I was about to have this conversation.

  I tried to smile when the guard recognized me and said, “He’s in early today, Ms. Elliott. I’ll call up to let him know you’re on your way.”

  A response welled in my chest. I wanted to yell, Obviously he’s in early, and I don’t give a damn if he knows I’m coming, but I settled for a nod. My anger flared, and anger was good. It sat so much better than devastation.

  I hurried to the elevator, hearing the click of my heels ring across the empty lobby. I seethed inside, shoulders tensing. When I arrived at the 37th floor the doors parted, perfectly framing a waiting Bryant. I tried to ignore that he looked delicious.

  “Hey Sweets, this is a pleasant surprise.”

  He smiled a disarming, genuine smile, and I shook my head.

  Do not let him throw you.

  I repeated the mantra as I strode past Julien and into Bryant’s office. When the door latched shut, I rounded on Nicholas and pulled off my sunglasses, revealing the puffy mess underneath.

  “Kate, what happened? What’s wrong? Are you OK? Is everything OK?”

  He automatically pulled me into his chest then tensed when I stood lifeless in his embrace. He pushed me back to arms-length. Uncertainty rolled off his body as he studied me. His eyes churned wildly.

  “Kate, please talk to me!”

  “You want me to talk?” When I found my voice it was laced with venom. “Anything in particular you want me to say?”

  He cocked his head, completely confused.

  “You must take me for a complete fool if you thought I wouldn’t figure it out. Did you enjoy watching me scramble around looking for a real relationship? While this was all a fucking game to you? Why you felt the need to feed me bullshit I’ll never know.”

  I threw my arms up, shooting away from Bryant as I ranted on. “Here I was, worried this was just about sex. And honestly, I could’ve handled that. Maybe. Finding out it was business all along? That this was a low-down, dirty fucking scheme? You could’ve made an honest play for Vesper. I would’ve been pissed as hell, but you would’ve kept me from looking like a goddamned fool!”

  I was screaming now. Nicholas had turned pale and his eyes shifted to a scary, deep gray.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His voice stayed calm despite my rampage.

  That was enough to make me lose it completely. I pulled Durant’s report and the USB device from my bag and threw them at him.

  “Did you think I got to where I am by being naive, Bryant?”

  He leafed through the papers and his face went white. “What is this?”

  “It’s the reason I was up at four this morning. It’s the missing fucking puzzle piece. I figured out what the hell you’ve been up to. You’ve been using me. You’ve been trying to take Vesper and you’ve been using shitty tactics to do it. You made me give a damn, you bastard!”

  He looked up, completely serious. “I would never use you. Ever. I meant every word I’ve ever said to you.”

  He reached for me and I instinctively flinched away.

  “I don’t know what this report is. It’s nothing I sanctioned, and I will fire whoever is responsible on the spot.”

  Nicholas Bryant was scrambling, and I didn’t give a shit. I turned my back on him for the very first time.

  “Julien, get Ally up here. Now.”

  His tone made me flinch again. He took a breath, the heavy, pained kind that pulled at my heartstrings. I reluctantly turned to meet his eyes.

  “Sit down, Kate. I’m going to get to the bottom of this and prove I had nothing to do with it. Though you should take me at my word.”

  I nodded simply because I was too upset to do much else. I moved toward the back of the room, wanting to be as far from him as possible. I sat on a stool, tucked behind the rest of his luxurious office furnishings. I was grateful I didn’t have to support myself anymore; my knees had gone weak and wobbly.

  Bryant watched me from where he loomed over his desk. I couldn’t read his expression, and purposely decided not to try. I found intricate woodgrain to explore until there was a knock on the door. I could feel his eyes on me but I wouldn’t shift. Nor would he. My neck flushed under his gaze and he audibly gulped. I bit my lip expecting him to comment. Instead his eyes fell away and he unleashed his most menacing tone.

  “Come in.”

  Excited shrieking filled the room and grated on my ears the moment the door opened. “Sir! I am so happy you called me in. I have quite a bit of news for you.”

  A short, curvy blonde practically exploded into the room. She was so fixated on Bryant that I went unnoticed.

  “I have information for you regarding your newest endeavor. I took the liberty of getting as close to Vesper Fitness and Apparel as possible. I have information that will give you the inside edge to acquire it.”

  My eyes whipped up to find Bryant’s; he was studying me carefully. The blonde kept chattering away, digging through the report she’d brought in, completely oblivious to me and the ratcheting intensity between us.

  He didn’t appear to be listening to her anymore—I barely was. He kept his gaze locked on mine while his body flexed like he might move toward me at any moment. I turned away first, sure I was going to vomit. Everything I wanted, everything I’d hoped for was shattering at my feet. The high-pitched squeak of this woman—Ally—hurt my head. She wouldn’t stop talking about Bryant’s goals for my company. I felt utterly foolish and completely betrayed. I bit my lip so it wouldn’t tremble.

  “Ally!”

  Bryant barked so loudly that we both cringed. A single tear rolled down my cheek and I quickly brushed it aside.

  “Do tell how you came about this information?” Anger rippled off his shoulders.

  She faltered the slightest, then forged ahead anyhow. I was numb when she started talking again.

  “I can’t share that, sir, but once you see it you’ll know it was worth it.”

  Bryant interrupted almost immediately. “I have it on good authority you attempted to hack into Vesper’s servers. They detected it because of your overt clumsiness. I wouldn’t be surprised if your information was fake.”

  His voice sent chills down my spine. He was formidable like this.

  “No, I’ve seen it sir, it’s good!”

  She finally understood the gravity of her situation.

  “I don’t care if it’s the holy fucking grail, Ally. I don’t do business that way, and I never would. I will have nothing to do with people who think that’s acceptable.” His voice was so blaring it nearly vibrated the furniture.

  “But…but…I thought you’d be thrilled. You want Vesper so much.”

  Sick. I was definitely going to be sick. I stood meaning to
leave—or throw up—but she continued.

  “I thought…I thought we could maybe celebrate together,” she said, almost coy.

  After everything she was making a play for his affection. I shoved away from my stool, headed for the door. Bryant fixed his eyes on me again; I could feel them linger, but I didn’t bother to meet them. I no longer gave a shit what color they were.

  “Ally, you’re fired. I’m calling security and you’ll be escorted to clean out your desk. Not only did you act unethically as my employee, but you disgraced me personally. Everything I have is built on integrity.”

  His tone was deadly cold and awfully menacing. I shivered at the sound and its implications. I wanted to slip out of the door before hearing anymore.

  “Leave. Now. Security will meet you out front with Julien.”

  He pressed a button on his phone to relay the message. Ally turned to leave and locked eyes with me. I squared my shoulders but couldn’t manage much else. The door flew open and Julien fished her out.

  As quickly as the door opened, it closed again. I bolted for it anyhow. Bryant lunged for my arm. He latched on and tried to turn me but I resisted. He muscled harder so I gave in. I forced my face to stay completely blank, but I couldn’t hide the tears. Every bit of me tried to hide the emotion behind them.

  “Kate. I’m so sorry.”

  He tugged my arm harder, trying to pull me into him. I braced myself and held my ground. It would be a cold day in hell the next time Nicholas Bryant held me. I yanked my hand from his grip and stepped away; his face paled.

  “I had no idea, and I never would’ve sanctioned something like this. I swear to God, I would never let anyone attack Vesper. You have to believe me.”

  He was fearful and sincere. And rambling.

  “I don’t know why Ally would do this. Why she would think it was OK.” After he spoke an almost heavy silence consumed the room.

  “Kate, say something!”

  I blinked slowly and cocked my head.

  “How long have you known?” My voice was quiet and trembling, so angry it didn’t even sound like my own.

  “I swear I didn’t know!”

  He moved back towards me; I took a step away and clenched my jaw.

  “How long have you known you wanted to buy out my FUCKING company?”

  I stomped my foot when I swore. I hadn’t meant to scream but wasn’t upset that I had. He was derailed by both the question and my tone. He searched my face for the millionth time that morning, and I gave him absolutely nothing.

  He scrambled. “I’ve known for a few months.” His hand reached out. “Long before I ever met you.”

  “Did you go out of your way to get to know me at the Charter gala?”

  “You came up to me, remember? I’d done a lot of research. That’s why I knew who you were,” he said defensively.

  “Withholding the truth is the same as a goddamned lie!” The words spit from my lips.

  “I have never lied to you!”

  He stepped toward me again. Our usual electricity crackled between us, but it didn’t matter anymore.

  “Did I even mean anything to you? Was any of it real?”

  The acidic tone of my questions made his face fall further. I tried not to look into those devastated eyes.

  “Kate,” he breathed and reached for my forearm.

  “Don’t touch me.” He looked as if I’d slapped him, and his hand dropped.

  “This past weekend was the best of my life.”

  His sincerity left me shaking.

  “Pardon me if I don’t believe a single word that comes out of your mouth.”

  I turned, moving quickly enough to dodge him and yank open the door. Luckily the elevator was waiting so I ran. The door closed just as Bryant rounded out of his office. I stared straight at the lit L button so I didn’t have to see his face.

  Others joined me in the elevator as it descended. I didn’t register their faces. Man or woman. Once we neared the bottom, I jostled through the sea of people, determined to break into the lobby as soon as the doors would let me. I needed to get out of this building and far from Nicholas Bryant.

  I was single-mindedly focused on escaping as I bolted through the lobby. I could fall to pieces—full of broken dreams and shattered hope—if I could just make it out those damned entrance doors. I didn’t even notice the security guard step in front of me until I smacked into him.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Elliott, Mr. Bryant has asked that you wait in the lobby.” He was strictly professional but I couldn’t be anymore.

  “Please let me leave,” I squeaked.

  “Ma’am?”

  The guard must have noticed my tears because it was more a question than a protest. I stepped around him and started out; he didn’t try to stop me. Only at the last moment did my name echo sharply across the stone lobby.

  I froze, still a slave to Bryant’s voice. I couldn’t help but hang my head. I was far too emotional and oh-so close to balling. My pride ached knowing he would see me broken. Nicholas jogged across the marble floor and reached for me.

  “Please, don’t touch me. I won’t make a scene unless you force me to.” The whisper caught in my throat.

  “Don’t go. Please.”

  His voice was a fragile, pleading thing. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. I wanted him so much. Or had wanted him.

  “I swear to God, I won’t touch Vesper if it makes you this unhappy.”

  At the mention of Vesper I found the resolve to face him.

  “You’re damn right you won’t touch Vesper. You won’t get a piece of it unless you pry it out of my cold dead hands.”

  17.

  I turned before he could say anything and walked out. Paparazzi bombarded me. My shoulders shot up to my ears and my chest tightened. All I could see was a wave of aggressive flashbulbs.

  Once settled in a cab, I barely managed Vesper’s address. When we pulled up to the curb I exhaled sharply, shoving everything down to focus on fortifying my business. I would not let him win. I wiped away tears, paid my fare and slid on dark sunglasses.

  The sickening feeling wouldn’t go away and it made my day both drag and fly. If I hadn’t known better I would have guessed I was getting the flu. Gemma brought me food but nothing looked appealing. After an emergency staff meeting where I addressed the situation, I admitted defeat.

  “Gemma, please cancel my day tomorrow. I’m not feeling well.” If I looked half as bad as I felt she wouldn’t ask questions.

  “You never take days off.” Her eyes bugged.

  “All I’ll need is one.” I closed my eyes in silent prayer, hoping that was true. “And a decent amount of tequila.”

  “I’ll clear it, no problem.”

  I made myself run home, leaving my purse but grabbing my cell phone on the way out. I took a route along the Hudson River, hoping that the gentle lapping ripples would soothe my aching soul. I stopped to watch the sunset reflecting off the water. Standing there, I found a way to breathe deeply again. I was able to convince myself I’d been foolish for crumbling. Watching the sun set, I convinced myself I’d live through this. And that it would be easy to do.

  That’s when my phone rang.

  Bryant.

  My stomach bottomed out and my heart thudded painfully then stopped. Helpless tears started their now-familiar tracks down my face.

  I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t forgive him. Without much thought, I twisted and chucked my phone as far as I could into the river. It landed with a simple, innocuous plunk, barely making a splash.

  My limbs wouldn’t move after that. My only thought was, I was wrong. Wrong about him. Wrong about the pain. Wrong about my ability to ever get over this.

  When I stumbled to the curb I had the good sense to hail a cab. I gave my address but it took an eternity to get there. I don’t know how I paid my fare. Or made it to my front door for that matter. It dawned on me after a moment—and a few firm pats of my pockets—that my keys were still back at Ves
per. Pathetic didn’t even begin to describe me when I banged on my own door.

  “Oh shit. The zombie? Really?”

  Laura’s words as she opened the door snapped against my skin. I wouldn’t—no couldn’t—be as detached and devastated as I’d been after my parents’ death. Laura had done everything for me then, which is why she coined the term in the first place. Now too many people counted on me. Vesper counted on me. I forced words out of my mouth.

  “Maybe a little.”

  “She speaks. This is a good sign.” She was only half joking.

  I waved her off with a rueful smirk.

  “Wait folks, I think I just saw the makings of a smile.”

  She sounded like a sports announcer. I couldn’t help the larger smile that spread across my face.

  “She shoots, she scores, and you know what that means, folks!”

  “Laura, no.” She sprang onto the couch and I couldn’t help but smile wider.

  “Tequila time!” she screamed.

  “No.”

  “Tequila time, tequila time, tequila time. My favorite part of the Elliott grieving process.”

  She bounced up and down on my couch then straight over the back, bounding to the liquor cabinet. She pulled out Don Julio Blanco and made two muddled lime, tequila, and soda cocktails before also filling two shot glasses.

  It was somewhere around shot number seven and cocktail number three that we decided on karaoke. We tried to move the love seat and the coffee table to make room. That resulted in shattered glass strewn about the floor and upturned furniture. Laura stood on the remaining right-side-up couch, singing into the mic, while I laid on the floor with the empty Don Julio bottle resting on my stomach. I was signing along softly when there was a knock on the door.

  “Did you order pizza?” Laura squealed and launched herself off the couch to open the front door.

  I giggled because—well—because that was about all I could manage.

  “You’re not pizza!”

  “No, Laura, I’m not.”

  The voice was familiar but I couldn’t place it. Tequila wouldn’t let me.