"Goodnight, Ian." My knees still weak, I turn and walk with Ethan to the elevator as quickly as I can without falling on my face.
Turning around in the elevator, I see Ian walking toward us. Please close, please close I pray to the elevator doors.
"Tomorrow at 9:00. I'll be here," he says and I smile at him. The doors finally close and we are headed up.
I lean up against the elevator wall fanning myself with my clutch. I look at Ethan who is smirking.
"What?"
"I think someone got hit with cupid's arrow." He's still smirking, stop that Ethan, or I might fire you.
"Whatever, I did not. He doesn't interest me." I wave it off.
"Not just you, but Ian Brady also."
"What, do you know who he is? What do you know?"
"Yeah you're not interested at all." He rolls his eyes at me.
"Just tell me," I sigh, lifting my leg and slipping off my heel then do the same with the other.
"Well he has been coming here at least once a week for about 6 months and always on different days. He stays one night and walks all over the hotel. He usually ends up in the bar, never picks anyone up, and he always dismisses girls that try to pick him up. Trust me, there have been a lot of girls he has turned down."
"How do you know he never picks anyone up?" Is Ethan a stalker?
He rolls his eyes at me knowing what I’m thinking. "Because a girl I date sometimes waitresses in the bar. All the women employee's in this hotel are very interested in Mr. Brady and they all talk. He has never so much as flirted with anyone. In fact, tonight is the only night he has actually bought a girl a drink. Don't think that didn't circulate through the staff like wildfire. That's why I showed up to make sure you were OK."
"Thank you for that, by the way." What is he up to with my hotel? Maybe I will meet him for a drink tomorrow night, if it means I can find out what his game is.
"Do you think he knows I own the hotel and that's why he came on to me?" Damn, that's probably it. Why am I upset by this?
"I don't see how he would know unless you told him?" Ethan sounds confident in that.
"Well all the staff seems to know me. Maybe one of them told him."
"Not if they want to keep their job they wouldn't. Discreetness is very important. Your dad put that in play a long time ago. No staff is allowed to share the identity of any guest to another guest." We finally reach the top floor and I head to my room to change.
“Stay here, I'll be right back." I tell Ethan I want to know more.
The first thing I do is strip off the dress and can feel the slickness between my legs. I will take care of that later. I smile to myself at the thought of my date with my vibrator, although some of the excitement is gone now. I know he might have been working his charms because he knows I am the new owner. Either way, that was some serious chemistry and I know he felt it too. If he knew I owned the hotel he certainly did not show it.
I throw on some underwear YES, yoga pants, and an oversized tee before I head out to Ethan to find out more. He's on the phone when I walk in. I curl up on the giant leather sofa tucking my legs underneath me and wait for Ethan to finish is call.
"OK, so that was Mallory, the waitress serving Ian tonight. She says that he asked her if she knew who you were and she swears she didn't tell him. She said she had never seen you before. Then he told her he wanted to buy you a drink."
"You think she is telling the truth?" I myself am not a very trusting person, but I don't know the girl so I can't pass judgment.
"Honestly, I really do. Mallory can't lie for shit and I know she would have told me if she had because I'd never get her fired."
"So I'm to believe that you aren't just telling me this so that she doesn't get fired?" I shoot back at him and wait for him to waiver. He doesn't, which my best guess is he is telling me the truth.
"I really don't think you're that kind of person. You wouldn't get someone fired for telling someone else who you are." He looks at me giving me a knowing smile.
"How is it that you know me so well after only meeting me this morning?"
"I have always been a good judge of character."
"You, my friend, are also a pretty good detective." I give him a smile.
"It's my night job." We laugh then he tells me he will be sleeping in the adjoining suite and will have his cell on all night if I need anything.
"Ethan, I think I can get through the night without having to call you. It's early for Vegas. You should go have some fun, on the clock." I wink at him and he smirks.
"I'm actually beat. I think I will head to bed. Maybe tomorrow night."
We say goodnight to each other and I crawl into my giant bed sinking into the fluffy clouds of pillows. I need to get one of these beds for home. I am actually so tired and the bed is so comfortable that I fall asleep right away, without the date I'd planned with my vibrator.
Chapter 5
Mags calls me as I'm putting on my makeup.
"Are you alone?" Is the first thing she says.
"Yes, Mags, no dirty details. Sorry there was no shagging in my room last night.”
"Awe, come on! I was hoping for some juicy details this morning." I'm not going to divulge last night's events with her just yet because I'm not in the mood for a lecture from her about how life's too short and blah, blah, blah. "What are you wearing to your meeting?"
"Black pencil skirt, white silk blouse, and black jacket. The form fitting one you picked out."
"Good for business, but still sexy as hell. Shoes?"
"The lace up Minolo Blahnik's you made me buy." Mags is so obsessed with fashion it drives me a little crazy. Thanks to her I now have a closet full of some of the world's best fashion. Even though the price tags are ridiculous, they are amazing clothes.
"You'll drive them wild when they see you and then you'll impress the shit out of them with your business smarts. You've got this in the bag, mate." Mags is my biggest fan besides Rex. They always have a way of making me more comfortable with myself.
"Thanks. I have to go. I'll call you later though." I hang up with her and finish up my makeup. I went with understated cool tones; only a little mascara, blush, and some lip gloss.
Ethan is in the main room with breakfast when I enter. My stomach is nothing but a bundle of nerves right now. Whatever he has smells wonderful, but I don't think I will be able to eat.
"Beautiful, Ms. Aubrey. You are going to knock them out."
"Thanks, Ethan. I hope I don't puke all over the boardroom table from these nerves." I sit in front of my breakfast and try eating some toast. It's not happening. I have to force myself to swallow it.
"You should try to eat more so you don't faint," Ethan says, noticing that I am not interested in the food at all.
"Puke or faint." I push my hands up and down, palms up, weighing my options. I decide I can push down a few more bites of toast, but have to take many sips of water to get it down.
Looking at my watch, I decide it is time to head to the boardroom on the 2nd floor. Time to face the music; it’s time to sink or swim.
Ethan escorts me down and when I walk into the boardroom he assures me he will be right outside if I need him. Just knowing that a friendly face is close does make me feel better.
I step through the doors. Some of the ten members that make up the Board of Trustees are already sitting. They rise when I walk in. I walk around to them all and introduce myself. In the corner of the room is Matt Wilson, second in line to me in share holding, and with him is Tandi Jackson. The jilted widow has seemed to move on to the next best thing. They were together at the reading of the will so I have no doubt that she was cheating on my dad with him.
I get death stares from both of them, which I ignore, and turn to the other board members. Suddenly I feel in control and I know what to do.
"I think we can get started gentlemen; if all non board members would please exit the room." I turn and direct my statement to Tandi who looks disgusted and throws
me another dagger with her eyes. Sorry that your husband impregnated my mother about the same time you were being born Tandi, but life sometimes sucks. She leaves the room in a huff and I feel all eyes on me to start the meeting.
I can do this, I can do this.
"We're meeting today to go over bids and see presentations from three different security companies. We can get started on that first if everyone agrees." Everyone nods and I get a snide smirk from Matt which I happily ignore.
We sit through the first presentation that takes about an hour. They have some good ideas but I am not sure they will be right for us. The second firm is better yet. I wonder if Matt has a hand in this company because he seems to be selling it too, nodding and speaking with other board members during the presentation on what good ideas they have. After they leave Matt stands up.
"I don't even think we need to see the last company. These guys are it," he declares and gets a few nods from a couple of the others. "So are we in agreement here? I will go tell the other firm they can leave." He makes to go to the door.
"No, Mr. Wilson, I would like to see the last team," I say it not as a question but as a fact.
"Well Aubrey...." he starts chuckling like I said something extremely stupid. “I know you're new here, but we are very busy men. When we see something that makes sense there is no reason to waste any more time." I am seeing red now at the way he just talked down to me. Now is the time to let him know I mean business. After all, it is not majority rules, unless I say so. The decision is ultimately mine.
"Ms. Jackson is how you can speak to me, Mr. Wilson, and we'll see the third team." Oh he's mad now. He’s really, really mad. He does have a stake in this company, I'd bet anything on it. The bastard is trying to double dip and I'm not going to allow him to put this company at risk that way. I send a quick text to Ethan to have him find out who owns stock in Gladstone Securities. He sends me a text back telling me he's on it.
"Matt, we will see the third team." Ted Wells speaks up and nods at me.
"Fine, I guess Mizzzzz Jackson doesn't care about our time." Matt spits as he sits back in his chair.
I'm turned speaking to Ted telling him a quiet thank you as the third company walks in. He tells me he has my back, not like that of course, but that is basically what he says. I turn my head to address the third team looking down at my paper and see that the company is called Bradson Security Inc. I look up to tell them to start and staring back at me are deep blue eyes.
Fuck me. Ian Brady, the owner and CEO of Bradson Security Inc, is standing there with his mouth open too. He didn't know, he really didn't know. He composes himself and starts right in with their presentation. I watch him explain that he had spent the past 6 months studying some of our biggest hotels and had noticed quite a few areas that needed improvement. So that's what he has been doing. He's been preparing for this meeting. Now that's what I call thorough.
I wonder if he is that thorough in the bedroom. Damn, where'd that come from? He’s standing up there exuding authority, pointing out very detailed plans on things we need to improve on, and how he would make it happen. I can't help my mind go to the dirty thoughts as I watch him move gracefully in front of the room selling his points.
Oh yeah baby, you are hired. Baby?
He finishes his presentation, answers some questions from a few of the board, and then all eyes turn to me. Shit, I have to speak now. Damn you Ian and your piercing deep blues.
"Thanks, Mr. Brady. That was great. You will be hearing from us soon." I am able to finally form words.
He stares directly at me, nods, and then gives me a goddamn sexy wink before he turns and leaves the room. Getting wet again. How are you doing that? Seriously?
I get a text from Ethan. Tandi Jackson holds 51% stock in Gladstone security. The company was formed 2 months ago. You stupid sly dogs, you are so busted.
“I think we can all agree that Gladstone was the best," Matt says immediately.
"No, I don't think we all agree on that, Mr. Wilson. Not only were they the most expensive, but they were clearly not the best." I turn and talk directly at him.
"What in the hell do you know about security anyway?" He snaps at me.
"I know enough to see that Bradson has thoroughly done their homework and their ideas were clearly better." I get a couple yeses with this.
"Oh, please. Don’t tell me you guys are buying into this shit? We all know she doesn't deserve that seat!" He's mad again, really, really mad. This is way more fun than I could've ever imagined.
"Mr. Wilson, your Gladstone Company that you are so hell bent on has only been in business for 2 months. It seems as though there controlling stock is held by your girlfriend." Yeah take that bitch.
"Matt, really?" Ted says shaking his head. "With your permission, Ms. Jackson, would you like to take a vote?" I nod. No one votes for the first one, and even Matt doesn't dare vote for Gladstone.
"It is official. Bradson it is," Ted says calling the meeting to a close.
"I would like to tell them, if that's all right?" I address the board before they all get up. Everyone is fine with that and we agree we'll have them come to New York next week to go over the contracts.
"You don't know who you are messing with bitch." I look up to see Matt speaking to me between gritted teeth. "You're so out of your league here little girl."
"I would disagree with you, Mr. Wilson. Just took you down a notch, didn't I?" He turns with a huff and stomps out the door. I win...for now at least.
Stepping out of the boardroom, Ethan is waiting for me as promised. I motion for him to follow me. I see Ian standing at the end of the hall talking to a guy from another firm. When he sees me he puts up his hand as if to motion for me to wait a second. I don't need to be a blubbering idiot in front of the board members still meandering out in the hall. I turn my head fast and hurry to the elevators. The doors shut quickly, which I am very grateful for.
I turn to Ethan and give him a giant bear hug.
"You, Ethan Black, are awesome! How did you get that info so fast?"
"I told you, I'm a private dick by night." We laugh and I start to fill him in on everything that happened in the boardroom.
"You could tell by the look on his face he didn't know who you were?" Ethan says as we step into the suite.
"He was as shocked as I was. I am going to meet him at the bar tonight to tell him the good news." I feel like I am on cloud nine right now. None of the board hated me except for one. I held my cool and controlled the meeting even with the huge distraction of Ian Brady.
"So, Ethan. What is your salary here?" I ask him so bluntly that he doesn't even hesitate to answer.
"A little under thirty a year," he scoffs. He should scoff; he is worth way more than that.
"How about you come work for me. We will start with a hundred a year plus free travel, and there will be a lot of traveling. I need someone like you at my side." He looks shocked. I am too, because I just offered someone a lot of money to be at my beck and call basically. I did it without even thinking. It feels good. I need to make snap decisions more often.
"Ummm, yes please!" He is smiling from ear to ear.
"So you could move to New York? I can set you up in an apartment in my building. Rent free of course. Is this still good for you?"
He shakes his head back and forth like he is trying to wake up from a dream. "Yep, still good.”
The elevator doors open and a man rolls in a cart. “I took the liberty of ordering you some supper. I figured you’d be hungry after skipping breakfast and lunch,” Ethan says apprehensively.
“Oh yeah, this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.” I smile at him as he takes the metal domes off three plates; steak on one, salmon on another, and pasta on the last.
“Wasn’t sure what you would like.” I like all of them and might have to eat a little of all three.
“You hungry? There’s obviously plenty for three.” I sit and start cutting into the steak. I didn’t
realize how hungry I was until I smelled this delicious food.
“Actually, I thought since you were going down to the bar in a couple hours that I would take you up on that offer for a night off. I need to talk to Mallory about my new job.” He gives me a cute little pleased look with a shuffle of his feet like a little kid, which makes me laugh.
“Of course,” I answer still chuckling. “Are you guys serious? Shit, is she going to be mad?” Crap! I never thought about the ties he has here in Vegas. I don’t know where his parents live or anything.
“No we are not serious, and yes she is going to be mad.” He shrugs. “We have only been having some fun, but I think it is more for her.”
“That does happen, but you'll be in Vegas quite a bit, you know, so you can still see her if you want.” I try the pasta and it is divine.
“Yeah, I think a clean break will be for the best. I’m not the tied down kind of guy right now.” We do have a lot in common, because I feel the same way. Relationships are messy and people get hurt in them. People try to change people in relationships, and I don't need changed. I’d rather steer clear from all that drama right now.
Ethan leaves and I have a few more bites of each of the dishes. I’m stuffed to the brim when head into the bedroom to figure out what I am going to wear tonight.
It’s not a date. I am just going to tell him the good news, maybe have a drink, and then get back to my room. That is the plan. Right? I decide on a white silky, flowy skirt that is right above the knee and an aquamarine loose fitting silk top that has long sleeves with slits showing off my shoulders and arms. Laces thread back and forth giving it a more elegant look. The best part about this outfit is that I get to wear underwear. I find a white lacey thong and matching push up bra and decide I will take a bath before I go since I still have a couple of hours.
After soaking in the tub for over half an hour and brushing my teeth, I do my hair and make-up then look in the mirror. Not too shabby Ms. Jackson, at least you no longer look like a hooker. I grab a pair of aqua marine high heeled pumps and head down to the bar. It’s about a quarter to nine, so I’m early.
Deep Blue Impact (Deep Blue Series) Page 3