21. Blake

CHAPTER 21

Blake

“ M r. Zaleski’s busy at the moment, but he’ll see you as soon as he can.” The receptionist points to the seats against the far wall. “You can wait there, Mr. Baron. I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.” She recoils under my glower.

I’m not used to being kept waiting, especially when I have an appointment with a client. Mr. Zaleski knows who I am, is he playing games? Testing the waters? I desperately need his prime slice of Manhattan property. If this was any other deal or potential client, I’d leave and make a new appointment after being sure he understands that I don’t like to be kept waiting—for anyone. For any reason.

A couple of minutes tick by as I lean against a wall, my gaze locked on his office door. My scowl deepens when that door finally opens and none other than Eion fucking Bane emerges.

We’re the same age. We went to the same university, where I graduated at the top of my class by a single point over him. To say our rivalry in college was ruthless would be an understatement. It was made worse by two of his brothers, Alistair who was two years ahead of us, and Malachy a year behind. It was Roman and me against the Bane brothers.

Now that we’re adults it’s a different type of war we wage. I’ve tried to take down their entire family, but they’re one of the few untouchable empires. Plus, Roman and I agree that one of the younger Banes, Niall, is an okay fellow. So, we have a sort of truce with him.

“Baron,” Eion Bane drawls as he approaches. His light brown hair is as perfectly styled as his tailored suit. I hate that his family and I use the same tailor. Can’t the Banes find their own people to patronize?

“Bane, what an unpleasant surprise.” I straighten to my full height, coming eye-to-eye with Eion. “I heard we were after the same slice of real estate.”

“You might be after it, I’ve got it in the bag.” His smile pisses me off.

“I wouldn’t be so confident if I were you.” The stakes are high for me, and Eion will undoubtedly underestimate the lengths I’m willing to go to in order for my brother to inherit. He’s always underestimated me, that’s how I graduated top of my class and he didn’t.

He steps around me. “This one I am confident about because there’s no other option. Mr. Zaleski will be selling to me. That’s a fact.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Bane. He hasn’t heard my offer yet.” I bare my teeth at him—it’s not a smile—and head toward Zaleski’s office.

Not only did this fucker keep me waiting, but he was entertaining Eion Bane while he did it. Two strikes against him. If this were any other deal, I’d walk away.

I inhale a deep breath and square my shoulders before tugging the door open. I need to be calm. Killing Zaleski’s a bad idea, or at least a counterproductive one. But he’s not making a very good first impression and I haven’t even met him yet.

The office is as sterile as the reception area. A large glass desk positioned near the floor to ceiling windows dominates the space, two chairs in front of it, a bar cart to one side. On the opposite wall is a seating area with a sleek, modern sofa and coffee table. This room screams I have no personality, just a lot of money .

“Mr. Baron, pleased to meet you.” The man who approaches me is in his late twenties with short black hair and gullible green eyes. He’s an open book dressed in a business suit.

Prey .

No wonder Eion’s so confident he has this deal in the bag. I nearly laugh out loud.

Instead, I shake Mr. Zaleski’s hand and drop into one of the two chairs opposite him. “Whatever Eion Bane’s offering you, I’ll double it.” It’s a ridiculous opening offer, but I prefer to get this over with as soon as possible.

Zaleski’s eyes bulge. He recovers quickly enough from the shock and runs a hand through his hair. “I appreciate the offer.”

But…

“But it’s not only about the money,” he continues. “I’m in charge of my family’s rather large estate and we don’t sell our land on a whim. I need to know your development plans, and they need to be written into the contract, if I decide to sell to you.”

“I see.” I don’t see. What my company decides to do with the land is our business. Apparently he doesn’t see it that way. Isn’t that special ?

In one sweeping glance, I size him up. He’s young and out to prove himself as a responsible businessman. He’s also going to be a pain in the ass. Clients like him have to be wined and dined, they enjoy the get to know each other phase, then there’s always more than the price of the sale. There’s extra little favors and sometimes a mutually beneficial ongoing relationship—but not always.

Sometimes they have an accident. Oops.

This is why Liam needs to step in and take over Titan Enterprises after graduation. I don’t have the patience for this shit. I was never meant to make business deals in a boardroom.

He clears his throat, seeming somewhat uncomfortable. “Do you have a plan for the property?”

“Of course. That’s a perfect location for luxury condos.”

“Oh.” He frowns. “You see Mr. Bane wants to build a five-star hotel. I like his vision.”

You would, you simpleton .

“People want to live there, not visit and leave. Plus this city’s in dire need of more housing, even multi-million dollar condos. Just think of the building’s tenants. Your family’s property will become the homes of celebrities and superstars. It’ll have top-notch security and architectural design. At Titan Enterprises we pride ourselves on both luxury and practicality.”

“Hm. You make some good points. I’ll have to think about which way I’d like to go.” He steeples his fingers, leaning his elbows on the desk.

“I’d like to show you some detailed plans, say… over dinner at Spades ?” One of the most exclusive restaurants in town is sure to lure him in. All I need is his attention, and he’ll soon come around to taking my offer.

Zaleski’s gaze snaps to mine, his intrigue plain on his face. “If you can get us a reservation, then how about tomorrow night?”

“Consider it done. See you there at seven.” I stand, extending my hand for him to shake. “This is the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship, Mr. Zaleski.”

“Please, call me Oz.”

“Oz?” I arch a brow.

“It’s what my friends call me because of my initials O and Z . Oliver Zaleski. Oz.”

L oud female voices are the first thing I hear when I open my front door, followed by giggles. Avoiding them, I make a beeline for my home office.

Arianna’s voice filters down the hallway. “We wouldn’t want your wedding to end up like Sophia’s bachelorette party.”

I think it’s both Ravenna and Sophia who say, “Make good choices, Gin.”

“That party was epic, until… you know.” Gin is the loudest of them all.

More giggling follows.

I manage to make it to the peace and quiet of my office undetected. My refuge. Until my gaze snags on the numerous paint chips hanging on the wall.

Since her sister’s wedding last weekend, and our engagement announcement, Gin’s finally resigned to her fate. Embracing it even.

Yesterday she told me that if she’s going to live here for over a year then we need to paint the rooms. Apparently the neutral brown the interior designer chose is boring . That was her exact word: Boring. According to her, this place should have happier colors.

At least she agreed that we’d choose the palette together, and since it’s my house, I have ultimate veto power.

I loosen my tie to get more comfortable, gazing at the assortment of blues, greens, and yellows stickered to my wall. When I moved her into my house I didn’t realize we’d be doing so many couples things together. Dinners, family events, and now… choosing paint colors.

My computer monitor glows, waking up, and I check my email after having ignored it during my meeting with Oz and on the ride home. What a ridiculous name, does he think he’s a wizard?

A new email pops up, from Yve, and I open it with a grimace. My gaze skims the text, moving quickly over the absurd message.

What the actual fuck?

It’s a wedding invitation to Lexa’s nuptials. Who the fuck..? She's marrying Franklin Cecil. My memory takes a few seconds to put a face to the name. When I finally do, my skin burns with rage. This has Yve’s handiwork written all over it.

That millionaire asshole is at least two decades older than I am. He also used to be one of Yve’s lovers. Now he’s marrying her daughter.

That’s sick. Twisted.

My phone rings and I pick it up. “Baron,” I bark at the caller.

“Blake, darling. I hope you received the invitation to Lexa’s wedding. It’s in two weeks and attendance is mandatory. We set sail on the fifth. Be sure to bring your lovely fiancée.” She hangs up before I can get in a word.

I study the invitation closely. Fuck me. We’re flying to Miami then taking a yacht to a private island near Puerto Rico. That’s going to be at least five days stuck on a ship with my family. Hell on earth. Then another couple of days on the island. A full week. Kill me now.

I’d rather sleep on a bed of broken glass than make this trip. But Yve isn’t giving me a choice. If I refuse, who knows what kind of shit she’ll pull. Plus, I need to be there, don’t I? I’m not leaving Liam alone for a week with our step-monster. And Lexa… I need to figure out what’s going on with her. Does she want to marry Franklin? Doubtful.

Gin will have to endure all of this too. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce her to my family, but I won’t let her walk onto that boat unprepared. It’s time my fiancée learns all about my fucked up family and the type of drama that’s bound to unfold.