Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Lumin says someone from corporate canceled them at noon today, and now Mr. Armand is threatening to move the whole dinner to the Mercer.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” I argue.
“He says he will,” she says in a tight voice.
“We’re on our way,” I tell her. “Keep him calm for now. I’ll handle this.”
Sofia looks at me with wide eyes. “Is this bad?” she asks.
“Bastion Event Security is owned by Kevin Armand’s competition. In other words—”
“He could see this as a big betrayal,” she answers without needing me to finish. “I confirmed with Lumin personally. How did this happen?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out,” I tell her. “Grab your things, we won’t be back here before the event.”
She nods and goes to her desk to collect her purse.
Five minutes later, we’re in a town car on our way to the hotel, and she’s double checking three different versions of her file.
“I have no record of the change,” she says for the fifth time.
“Relax,” I tell her. “Nobody is blaming you for this. A vendor change this big at the last minute would’ve had to come directly from me. And it certainly did not.”
She nods, but she doesn’t stop combing through her files. When we get to the hotel, I take her up the private elevator to the event ballroom. Elena is pacing the floor when we step off, yelling at someone on her phone.
“This is a disaster,” she tells me. “Lumin says you emailed them directly and wired them their last-minute cancelation fee.”
I raise my eyebrow at her. “That’s not possible,” I say. “I’ve sent no such email, and I certainly haven’t paid anyone.”
“According to your bank account, you did,” Sofia says from my side.
Of course she looked into it the second I brought it up. Her efficiency knows no bounds. But that leaves a much bigger issue. I pull out my phone and text Rafe to dig into it immediately. There’s no way in hell something like this should have happened.
“Elena, is there anyone on Mr. Armand’s team who would know the guests on sight?”
Elena nods. “His assistant, Lucille,” she says.
Sofia nods and pulls out her phone, walking off for privacy. Across the room, Kevin Armand spots me and stomps over. Elena shrinks back, but I’m not intimidated by his false bravado.
“Dominic,” he barks. “This is completely unacceptable.”
“It’s being handled,” I tell him.
“The damn security people don’t even have the right list,” he says tightly. “This is leaving us open to an attack.”
“There won’t be an attack,” I answer calmly. “You can trust that, if nothing else. Bastion is capable enough to let people in. Once my assistant gets them the correct details, they can secure the premises. Everything is going to work out fine.”
He huffs. “Enzo wouldn’t have let this happen.”
I tense at his words. I didn’t know Kevin knew Enzo Calderone, and it’s all starting to sound a little too convenient. A mistake like this, just hours before an event at one of my properties? Kevin Armand isn’t the victim here. I am. But I’m no one’s victim.
“Enzo wouldn’t be down here handling this himself,” I answer, somehow managing to keep my cool. “You’re going to let my team handle it, and you aren’t going to complain again.”
His jaw clenches and his eyes narrow, but he eventually gives me a small nod.
Sofia appears at my side a second later. “Lucille and I have it figured out,” she tells us both. “The security team has the correct guest list now, and Lucille will man the entrance to make sure no one comes in who doesn’t belong.”
Kevin shakes his head. “I need Lucille with me to manage the event,” he tells her.
“That’s why I’m here,” she says with a patient smile. “I’ve been working with Lucille all week on the details. I know the flow just as well as she does, if not better. Between Elena and me, this event will go off without a hitch.”
He looks her over from head to toe, and I find myself wanting to jump in front of her and shield her from his gaze. It’s an uncomfortable realization that I don’t trust him to work with her. Especially now that I know he has ties to Enzo Calderone.
“Fine,” he says tightly. “Follow me.”
I watch Sofia trail after him as he walks her through the flow for the night. I want to follow, to keep an eye on her, but I have to figure out where exactly tonight broke down.
As if he’s read my mind, my phone buzzes with a call from Rafe.
“What’ve you got?” I ask by way of greeting.
“Lumin confirmed that the call came from your direct line,” he says quickly. “And the money was definitely wired from your account.”
I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “That isn’t possible,” I say. “I didn’t make that call and I definitely didn’t send any money.”