That freaking back stabber! How could he betray his own nephew like that? He joined hands with Antonio for what? To defame his own family? What would he gain if Valencian Corp’s reputation ruined in the market? Wouldn’t it harm his bank balance, too?
I knew he was not what he showed the world. But today, after talking to Liza, I found out what a snake he was. Winning Ace’s trust, he was now trying to stab him in the back while remaining in the shadow.
And Ace had no idea about this. I had to tell him. But I didn’t know how to start this conversation. I knew what the truth was, but I didn’t have any physical proof to show him. Will he believe my words?
I halted, seeing a certain person I hated with everything in me. Red freaking witch!
Before the conference room, she was talking and giggling with Matt, batting her fake eyelashes. And she wore another red dress today.
I almost forgot the Arabs had a meeting today.
“Ms. Hutton?”
I turned to Carter, who had a surprise etched on his face.
“I thought you weren’t coming today. Boss said you were on leave?”
Ignoring his question, I turned to the witch again. “How many meetings will be happening with the Arabs?”
“Umm, I’m not sure, Ms. Hutton. But until the project finishes, it’ll occur several times.”
I glanced at him, pressing my lips together. Several times? No way in hell am I letting that witch roam around this office that many times. And definitely not around my man.
I held his gaze. “I don’t care how many times the Arabs come here for the meetings. But make sure she,” I pointed to that witch, “doesn’t step into this building from now on.”
His forehead creased, confusion was clear in his eyes. “But, Ms. Hutton, she’s Mr. Hakimi’s secretary. She’ll be needed here during the meetings. I don’t think Mr. Hakimi would like this ban on his secretary.”
“I’ll talk to him myself. Don’t worry about him. Just do as I say.”
“But—”
“No buts. I don’t want that girl in this office from now on. Is that clear?” my voice was full of command as I spoke. I didn’t want to take advantage of the position Ace had given me by making me an equal owner of everything he owned, but I didn’t have any other way to get rid of that witch.
With eyes wide, he nodded. “O-of course, Ms. Hutton. You won’t see her here again.”
I smiled. “Good. Now please carry on with your job. Is Ace in his office now?”
“Yes, Ms. Hutton. He is in there.”
Nodding, I turned around and sauntered away.
Not needing the necessity of knocking before entering his office, I pushed the door open and walked inside with a bright smile plastered on my face. I hadn’t seen him since the morning. And I was already missing him.
“Ace—”
I halted at the presence of two other people in the room with Ace. Three pairs of eyes fell on me, leaving me dumbfounded.
Shit! Carter didn’t inform me Ace was in a meeting in his office. The dense ambience around the room told me about the seriousness of the meeting.
Arthur stood close to the door, as if he was just about to walk out.
My expression immediately turned stoic as soon as my gaze met his already hard ones. Something unreadable swirled around his dark orbs.
Freaking traitor!
My eyes fell on the man around Ace’s age sitting opposite him. He was the same man Cassie was staring at Tess’s reception.
When I gazed at my man, those gray eyes were narrowed, watching me silently.
“Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a meeting going on,” I said, sheepishly.
“It’s a general courtesy to knock before you enter someone’s office, Emerald. You don’t just barge in like that.” Arthur’s voice held displeasure.
“She doesn’t need to knock to enter her own office, Arthur.” Ace’s response was quick. Though his tone was full of authority, he was polite.
Arthur’s brows raised. “Her office?”
“Everything that’s mine is my Rosebud’s. I thought you were aware of that already.” He tilted his head.
While Arthur’s face tightened as he flashed a smile of understanding at Ace, mine turned red. Even though he had shown his affection towards me before the world so many times, I still managed to blush whenever he did that.
“I’ll see you later.” With that, Arthur threw me another glance and left.
Turning back, I found the stranger’s eyes on me, watching me with raised brows. Standing, he strolled towards me and gave me his hand for a shake.
“Hello. I’m Duncan. It’s very nice to meet you,” he said in his deep Italian accent. Icy blue eyes held curiosity as they watched me.
With six feet something height, strong built structure, sharp jaw, dark brown locks, and an extremely handsome face, he looked like every girl’s dark fantasy.
If I wasn’t already absolutely lost in my Greek god, I’d have a crush on him too. Just like my best friend. I could understand why she couldn’t take her eyes off him that night. But for me, he was just a handsome face. My eyes were only for my Greek caveman.
I could already feel his flaming glare on this Italian.
Smiling, I shook his hand. “Hi! I’m Emerald, Emerald Hutton. Nice to meet you too.”
“I know. I saw you at the reception. Though we couldn’t meet personally. My friend here was too busy dragging his beautiful lady away from the party to introduce her to anyone. ”He cast a glance at Ace, whose jaw was tight at our still joined hands.
“Enough of shaking hands, back off now, Sylvano.” Greek accent was deep.
Smirking, he retracted his hand and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Easy there, fratello! Taken women isn’t my thing. No matter how stunning they are.”
Heat crept up my cheeks while my caveman’s nostrils flared.
“Duncan De Sylvano, I’d like you to leave right now if you want our partnership to keep going,” he warned, leaning towards his desk.
Duncan’s smirk stayed intact. Both powerful men held each other’s gaze. “So, what I heard is true, then. Ruthless, cold Achilles Valencian finally got his salvation. I was wondering why fewer people were getting fired around your companies. Because now the beast has someone to tame him.”
Ace cocked his head. “Beast? Look who’s talking. Doesn’t the ruthless word suit you more than me?”
Duncan let out a small chuckle. “Anyway, we’re meeting tomorrow night with the Russians, right?”
“Yes. Hope things go as planned.”
The Italian nodded. “Amen to that. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Turning to me, he flashed a polite smile and walked out of the office.
“You!” My head snapped to the devil behind the huge desk. Stormy grays were hard as he beckoned me to him. “Come here.”
A shiver ran down my spine. But as if my legs had their own mind, they slowly trudged near him. Placing the purse on his desk when I was within his reach, his hand shot out and pulled me onto his lap. A gasp slipped through my lips.
One hand gripped my nape and the other one snaked around my waist. His scorching gaze held me prisoner. “What were you doing a moment ago, Rosebud?”
“W-what did I do?”
His grip tightened as he brought his face closer to mine. My eyes fell on his plump, firm lips.
“What did you do? You were checking out some other man in front of me and you’re asking, what did you do?” His jaw ticked. “Did you forget last night, my rose? Did you forget what I did to you? Did you forget the marks I left on your body while claiming you as mine?”
Goosebumps crawled up my skin at the memories of last night. Clenching my thighs, I licked my lips. Gray orbs followed the act.I pressed myself against him. “Mind reminding me again, my love?”
A groan left his mouth.
Leaning in, I kissed the corner of his lips. “I wasn’t checking him out. I was just seeing what Cassie saw in him, that she just couldn’t tear her eyes off him. My eyes are only for you, don’t worry.”
Watching me for a moment, his form slowly relaxed. I inwardly shook my head at him. Stubborn, possessive caveman.
Pulling me closer, he snuggled my neck while I slumped into him. His heady cologne filled my lungs. My home.
My eyes fluttered close as he littered butterfly kisses across my neck. His hand massaged the back of my head softly. At the moment, I let go of everything that ran in my head and just listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“I told you to rest. What are you doing here?” he mumbled, tightening his grip around me as if I’d disappear. “I was just coming back home to you.”
Home? Did he—did he mean our home?
A warmth surged through my chest.
“I was missing you.” It wasn’t a complete lie. I was missing him the moment he left the penthouse.
I wanted to tell him about Liza and Sierra. But I wanted to talk to Warner first. Maybe his cousin managed to get some proof against Arthur by now.
He stayed silent for a moment and then lifted my face up, making me look at him. “I have a surprise for you.”
My whole mood brightened at once. “What surprise?”
He chuckled, capturing my lips in a soft kiss. But his kiss lingered for too long for my impatient self.
Pulling away, much to his dismay, I snaked my arms around his neck. “What surprise?”
“Too many things have been going on recently. So, I thought you’d like to get away from this place for a while.”
“We’re going somewhere? On a vacation?” I squealed like a child getting their Christmas gift.
A breathtaking smile tugged at his lips, gray eyes roaming my features with love and adoration. “Yes. A vacation.”
“Where? When are we going?”
“Relax, Rosebud. It’s a surprise. Have some patience, will you?” He ran his nose over my jaw. “We’re leaving tomorrow night, after the meeting with the Russians.”
I pouted. I hated not knowing where he was taking me. “Is it out of the US?”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “You’ll see once we reach there.”
Huffing, I put my head back on his chest.
Chuckling, he trailed his hand under my dress. A shiver shot through my body as his fingers glided up my thigh.
“Are you still sore, baby?” his hot breath fanned my neck.
Hiding my face more in his chest, I nodded. The slight pinch of discomfort was still there. “A little.”
He let out a groan. “Take another painkiller. I’ll go mad if I don’t have you tonight.”
I bit my lip at the painful tug in my lower region. I could already feel the burning desire running hot through my veins. My hand went to his hair, tugging softly.
He breathed into my neck. “I love you so much, my rose.”
My lips parted at his hot lips against my skin and scorching touch on my thighs. Those pervert hands of his slowly crept up to my butt.
Pulling away, I brought his head down and captured his lips in a hungry kiss. And he responded immediately with his punishing one.
“I love you too.”
Walking down the hallway, I called Warner for the second time, but he didn’t pick up. I left him a message after meeting Liza, but he didn’t even answer that. I wanted to ask him if he found out more about Arthur.
Where was he?
I was getting impatient now. I needed to talk to Ace. But I was too afraid to ruin the beautiful phase we were going through.
I wish I had gotten Warner’s cousin’s number from him.
Sighing, when I punched the green button again, a hand grabbed my arm in a harsh grip before pulling me into a dark room I hadn’t entered before.
