Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“Focus on your own portfolio, Dante.” I give him a razor-sharp glare over the rim of my glass, though I don’t deny his statement.
“Alright, enough small talk. The reason I called you all here, specifically you, Gavin, is a new venture. I’m looking for backers. It’s a high-grade, AI-driven security and access control app. Next generation encryption, real-time threat detection, and will help with similar problems such as your crowd mob.” Nolan taps his desk, drawing the room’s attention to the reason he called a meeting in the first place.
“An app for security?” I raise an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. There are plenty out on the market, but this is Nolan. Whatever he’s got lined up is something that hasn’t hit the market yet.
“Exactly,” Nolan confirms, sliding a thick leather folder across his desk toward me. I abandon my drink and perch to grab the documents. “Given what happened at your resort in Miami, it’s a solution you could integrate across all of your hotel properties. We’re opening a private funding round, and I want you in on it.”
“Sounds like something could save my head of security from having a heart attack the next time something like this happens,” I admit, already aware that this type of shit is making its rounds, and besides police officers staying on the beaches around the clock, it’ll be hard to make it end until the trend tapers off. I scan the executive summary, liking what I’m seeing. “Send the full proposal to my direct line. I’ll review the numbers on Monday.”
Before Nolan can respond, the door to his office swings open without a knock. Mischa walks in, holding a stack of documents. She moves across the room, her dark hair pulled back, wearing a tailored blazer that means business.
“Nolan, here are the signed…” She pauses, noticing the room full of powerful men staring at her. Her eyes linger on Nolan for a moment before she smiles politely at the rest of us. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were in a closed meeting.”
“It’s fine, Mischa.” His voice shifts completely. Gone is the corporate edge, morphing into one I know all too well. Every single guy in the room, myself included, notices immediately. Nolan doesn’t just look at Mischa, his undivided attention is wrapped around her, tracking her every moment as she steps forward and places the paperwork on his desk.
“Thanks,” he murmurs, his eyes locked on hers as she turns to leave.
“Have a good weekend, gentlemen.” Mischa offers a quick wave before slipping out the door and closing it behind her. The moment the latch clicks shut, the room explodes into knowing smiles.
“Well, well, well.” Vik has a wide grin on his face.
“Don’t even start.” Nolan’s jaw tightens. “I’m not going there.”
“Oh, come on, man. The tension between the two of you nearly had me ready to run out the door,” Dom says with a chuckle.
“I said no. She’s off-limits. That’s my best friend’s baby sister,” Nolan repeats, dropping a bomb that I’m assuming nobody knew about in the first place.
“Right,” Dante chimes in softly. “And we all know how well the men in this room play by the rules.”
“We’ll see how long that boundary holds,” Rafe mutters with a laugh. Every man in this room has done whatever it takes to secure their woman.
“Good luck, Nolan. I have a feeling you’re going to need it.” I look down at my watch, noticing the time and how much this meeting has taken up. Genevieve should be getting off by now, which means we can ride to my place together. A much better idea than hanging around these guys. I don’t bother with saying goodbyes, just offer a quick nod to the room and head out the door. I pull out my phone to fire a quick message to Genevieve
Gavin: Baby girl, are you still in the building?
Genevieve: I’m just packing up to leave. Are you?
Gavin: Coming to get you now.
I pocket my phone, more than ready to get Genevieve alone and in my hands for the next forty-eight hours with zero interruptions.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
gavin
The minute Marcus dropped us off at my home, I escorted her inside, dropped her bag to the floor, and backed her against the closed door, kissing her senseless. It lasted until she was climbing me like a tree, both of us needing to taste the other after being apart for twelve hours. The chaste kiss at her office didn’t count, not in my eyes at least. From there, I gave her a quick tour of the kitchen, the living room, and my bedroom. As much as I wanted to take her to bed, I refrained, we both needed food for what I had planned for the night.
We changed our clothes, her into my worn gray T-shirt, the hem falling halfway down her thighs, leaving those curvy legs of hers completely exposed. I ditched my suit for a pair of black sweatpants, and we made our way back to the kitchen, where I fed us. Dinner consisted of steak, potatoes, and green beans, a simple meal that didn’t require a lot of work, and when Genevieve asked to help, it made the time go by faster.