I feel like the ultimate betrayer sitting here across from my grandfather and Vladimir in the meeting room.
They’re looking through Aurora’s mother’s designs on the table, along with Skye’s portfolio.
As I watch them I feel no different to the friend who stabbed Julius Caesar in the heart or Judas with his betraying kiss.
This meeting is to touch base with the developments of Sunset Cove, which both Vladimir and my grandfather are happy about.
It’s been two weeks since I agreed to using Aurora’s mother’s designs, and not a day has gone by where I didn’t feel like I’d thrown myself into an open grave.
I’ve been dreading this meeting since I found out about it the other day. I knew it would happen at some point. I just didn’t know when.
Now I’m sitting here trying to look composed, but inside, I’m a mess of conflict.
I’m essentially discussing my future with two of the most powerful men on the planet and I’m in a position where I feel like I truly belong.
Both of which prove my father wrong. I’m at a level where my father can’t touch me, and I have the added bonus that he never attained this level of accomplishment when he was my age.
Neither will Bastian. I worked for this through blood and sweat, but Bastian will always be handed things on a silver platter. That type of hand out works until it doesn’t. That’s when people begin to see you for who you are and what you can do.
It’s the moment that defines you.
Getting control of Park Avenue is everything I could ever dream of and it seals my place in the Grayson line. More than anything, I know I’ve made my mother proud and everything I do and have done will provide some redemption from the horrible past we all had with my father.
But then, there’s Aurora.
There’s the knowledge that everything I do next will hurt her, and I know I’ve made things so much worse by agreeing to use her mother’s designs.
I couldn’t tell her no, though.
That last time she asked, I couldn’t say no. Saying that word didn’t come as easy as it had on the night of my grandparents’ party.
After feeling that strong, magical connection between us, and hearing her speak so passionately about her mother’s dreams and her own past, there was no way I could have denied her.
There are still things from my past that I haven’t spoken about. Like everything to do with Giselle, so I understand why Aurora has never spoken to me about her past the way her father had, or talked about the way she watched her mother die. Both are dark elements that could taint your soul forever, and you become just like me. But I love that she seems to choose to remember the good things and the dreams people hold on to.
That’s why I said yes. I agreed knowing the consequences could and most likely will fuck me over. But I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe, things might work out.
Maybe having her mother’s designs put to use will be enough for Aurora, and perhaps seeing them come to life might make her be okay with the sale of Sunset Cove in a few months.
As for everything else—the darker parts of my plan and all my dirty work to blackmail her father and essentially steal her inheritance—maybe those can stay buried with Pandora’s box in Hell.
‘These are absolutely magnificent,’ Vladimir says in a thick Russian accent, with a continuous nod of his head. His dark, shoulder-length hair brushes over his shoulders as he looks from me to my grandfather and his smile widens.
From what I know of this man, he rarely ever smiles. A smile isn’t something you’d expect to see on his face. His pit bull build and abrasive exterior make him look more like an old mafia don who has a permanent hit list inked in his mind, than a businessman.
“I’m glad you’re pleased with the developments.” Grandfather nods, matching the vibrancy in Vladimir’s smile.
‘I’m more than pleased. I think the idea to use the forties as an inspiration is absolutely phenomenal. It will bring in the nostalgia which people associate with Sunset Cove from the classic Hollywood era.’
“We thought so too,” Grandfather booms.
At least Aurora was right. And surprisingly, I was wrong. Another rarity.
“What is the estimated finish date?” Vladimir’s eyes brighten, and I half expect to see dollar signs forming in his irises. I know he’s already thinking of how he’ll be able to monetize Sunset Cove once it’s done and its potential yearly turnover.
‘We should be on schedule to finish everything in the next few months,’ I answer, feeling like the betrayer again.
‘Perfect. I would love to have this ready for the fall for my wedding anniversary. My wife is going to love this.”
His wife.
I have a wife too. A wife who is in love with Sunset Cove.
“Fall should be doable.” My voice holds an edge of listlessness, as if my mind has detached from my body.
“Great. Well, I’d best be on my way. It seems like everything is in hand here. I’m very happy about this investment.” Vladimir switches his gaze from me to Grandfather. “You always deliver, Bradford.”
“You know me.” Grandfather claps his hands. ‘We’ll continue to keep you updated along the way, and if you have any questions in the meantime, you know where to find us.’
“Certainly.” Vladimir dips his head. ‘Speak to you in a few weeks, then.’
“Until then.”
When he leaves, Grandfather stares at me with pride.
‘Today marks another step in expanding the empire,’ he states. “Vladimir is one of our biggest clients, not because of his money, but his contacts.”
“I know.” A man like Vladimir could earn us an easy extra billion just from those contacts, so his investment is not something I take lightly. It’s just the conflict of interest with everything else.
“Knight, you’ve truly exceeded my expectations on this project and gone above and beyond to seal this deal. I’ll be damn proud of you being the CEO of Park Avenue.”
“I appreciate that, Grandfather.’ Every word I speak feels like I’m twisting that knife deeper into Aurora’s heart. I can’t even muster the strength to pretend I’m as happy as I should be about working on a project for a man like Vladmir.
“I know you do.” Grandfather smiles with pride. “I can’t wait to make everything official. As expected, Bastian is still trying to win me over. He’s secured several contracts in Japan to expand. While that’s truly impressive, you are who I want.”
“I appreciate that.” Fuck, this is so damn hard. Of course, fucking Bastian would still be trying to outdo me, even knowing I practically have this in the bag.
“How are things at home? You and Aurora seem to be getting on okay.”
‘We are.’ I’m not surprised he mentioned Aurora and me. He’s seen the way we are together. Everyone has.
‘Looks like you got something else out of this. Not just Park Avenue.”
“I hope so.” All I have to do is find a way not to fuck things up.
“I like her, and it’s nice to see you happy. Married life suits you. You look settled.”
“I guess I am, and she does make me happy.”
“Then she’s a keeper, contract or not.”
I consider this and nod.
“I want the same for Jericho.” He sighs. “He might not be able to see my reasoning now, but if he takes me up on my offer, I’m sure he’ll see what I mean.’
‘We can hope.’ That is all I can say when it comes to Jericho.
The phone rings on the desk, and I feel like I’ve been saved from continuing this conversation.
“I’ll let you get that.” I stand.
‘See you later. Well done again.’
I give him my usual respectful nod and leave the office.
I make my way to the second floor. There’s an indoor garden on the entire left side. I head there and walk out onto the balcony. I come here sometimes when I need a change of scenery and some extra peace to brainstorm my projects.
Resting my hands on the metal railings, I gaze ahead at the skyline, my thoughts clashing together worse than ever before.
What the hell am I going to do?
Aurora is never going to be okay with me selling Sunset Cove.
My heart was so fixed on getting the empire that this was never something I thought I had to worry about.
The door at the end of the balcony opens, and Jericho steps out.
He walks up to me, resting his hands on the balcony next to me. I can see he’s the same as he was when we last saw each other.
“Just saw Vladimir leaving,” he says. ‘He looked happy.’
“He should be. He knows he’s going to make a fortune from Sunset Cove.”
“I take it you haven’t spoken to Aurora yet.”
My chest caves. “I can’t. I keep thinking that maybe I can sort this out, so I get the girl and the empire.’
‘Unless Grandfather finds something else for you to do, or Aurora decides she wants to sell, I can’t see that happening.” He turns to lean against the rail.
“That’s what worries me.”
“I worry for you too.” He releases a slow sigh. “Did you hear Bastian secured Japan?”
“I heard, and Grandfather is impressed.”
“It is impressive. I know that Grandfather has tried to make sure we get a piece of the pie, but if you don’t follow through with Sunset Cove, he will pick Bastian. No question about it.”
As if the universe can hear us, Bastian and Father emerge from the coffee shop below.
We’re too high and far away from them to see us, but if they looked up, they would.
The two are laughing the way father and son would.
The sight doesn’t get to me like it used to, but today, it hits me in other ways, screaming at me that I mustn’t lose the empire.
Jericho is right. Unless something changes with Grandfather—which is unlikely—or Aurora agrees to the sale—which is even more unlikely—I can’t have the girl and the empire.
But that doesn’t stop me from trying to find a way.
There has to be something I can do.
As unlikely as Aurora is to agree, she’s my easiest option. Perhaps I can find a way to break the news of the sale to her gently, then take it from there.
If I do that, I have to pray it doesn’t instigate another war between us where I still lose her. Especially if she finds out about everything else.
Regardless, I have to try.
I’m Knight Grayson, and that’s what I do.
If a way exists, I’ll find it because, my God, do I want both.
The girl and the empire.
