Chapter 4
D ominic
"Do I really have to do this?"
I glanced over at Nicola Vixen who'd actually shown up in person for tonight. She was my plus one for the event. Not for romantic reasons, but because she'd elbowed herself in as my date by filling out my summons and adding her name before I could tell her no .
Even though I was the boss and signed her checks, Vix ran the show around here for all intents and purposes. I ran my mouth to her from time to time, but she knew how to handle me better than I could handle myself. I'd be lost without her.
"You look ravishing, darling," Vix said in an exaggeratedly posh accent, grabbing the lapels of my suit jacket and straightening them. "Of course you have to go tonight. The chances of your name being called as a candidate for the wildcard selection are extraordinarily high."
I groaned. "Don't tell me that."
"Why do you think I'm coming with you?" Vix winked, bumped a slender hip against me. "You need your best in security when you're nominated as the newest candidate to fill the empty seat in The Circle."
"You're just coming because that ‘hot witch' you hooked up with in Tuscany is going to be at the after-party."
"So sue me." Vix batted her eyelashes at me.
Vix looked stunning tonight in a white gown that fit her slender body like a glove. There was just the slightest glimmer of sparkle to it, and a deep V-neck showed off impressive cleavage meant to distract. Nicola Vixen wasn't above using her feminine charms to her advantage.
Fortunately, things between us had always been strictly platonic. Vix fluttered around, brushing imaginary lint off the suit she'd custom ordered for me. It wasn't just any day that a new member of The Circle would be selected. It wasn't just any day that people suspected my name might be among the few called.
Most people would be thrilled. Me? Not so much.
"Get Kellan on the phone," I said. "I want to know what he's figured out."
Vix hit dial with her talon-like nails that were edged in diamonds today. When I said it looked like she could kill someone with her bare hands, I meant it. Those things were downright deadly.
"Kellan," Vix announced over speakerphone. "I'm here with our glorious leader."
I rolled my eyes.
"Hello, Dominic," Kellan said. "What can I do for you?"
"How's the deal coming on the sale of the building?"
"Running into a bit of a snag." My lawyer, one of the highest paid lawyers in the world, gave an embarrassed cough. "Sebastian isn't cooperating."
" Make him cooperate. How much money is he asking for?"
"Your brother sent a letter saying he'd relinquish his half of the shares to you for seven billion dollars, but I think he was just being a twat. That's completely unreasonable. "
"You think?" I snarked back. I was wealthy beyond most people's dreams, but even a seven-billion-dollar payout for half of one little apartment complex was a bit steep for my bank account.
"When'd you hear from him?" Vix asked, her brow furrowing. "We haven't heard from Sebastian since earlier this week."
Since the day I'd run into Trixie in the alley , I thought to myself, remembering the moment like it was mere seconds ago. Not like it was almost a full week ago.
For days now, I'd been smelling that rosebush she kept next to her bedside. At least, I assumed it was by her bed, because she only opened the window late at night, presumably while she slept, and it was that sweet scent of pretty pink roses keeping me up, wondering what she was doing awake so late. Wishing I could ask her. Wondering what the feel of her skin against mine might be like.
"The note arrived about a week ago," Kellan admitted. "I haven't passed the offer along to you, Dominic, because it's preposterous. It wasn't a real offer. I tried to follow up with Sebastian for a reply, but I haven't gotten one, and he's been untraceable."
"Don't expect one," Nicola said darkly. "He's in the wind."
Kellan cursed. "That's going to make this difficult, Mr. Kent."
"Find a way around it," I growled into the phone. "Any business ventures that are tied with my brother are done. Gone. I don't care how it happens, but I'm selling this building come hell or highwater. I've spent ten years here, and it's nine too many."
"I understand, but—"
"Billings Incorporated has come knocking on my door with an offer for the place," I said. "Quick close. They want to turn it into some shopping center, and they're already on the zoning paperwork. Get it sold. Talk to their lawyers."
"But—"
"Glad we had this conversation." I nodded for Vix to hang up the phone.
Vix rolled her eyes back at me. "Bye, Kellan. Sorry for His Highness's royal attitude."
"Talk him down for me, yeah, Vix?" Kellan prompted before signing off.
"You got it," she said.
"You realize I'm right here," I said, as one of Vix's diamond-encrusted nails clicked the button to hang up the phone.
"Consider this your pep talk to get off Kellan's ass. The man is still legally bound to follow the laws, no matter how much you pay him, Your Grumpy Highness. Now, if you're done throwing a temper tantrum at the only people in your life willing to help you, let's go. The car's waiting out front."