Although Kiko didn’t really understand, she beamed with pride.
When we left, my sister was in full matchmaking mode, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to let her down gently. I can’t be seen fraternizing with the client, much to my and probably her disappointment.
Our conversation in the limo as we headed back to Neighpalm Industries was good progress for our relationship. Jacinta actually understands the importance of security. I can’t deny I was relieved when she insisted that Simon and I stay her guards... Maybe a little too relieved. Only time will tell if I’m making a mistake. I just hope that it’s not something that’s going to bite me in the ass.
ChapterSixteen
Jacinta
We take the elevator directly up to Couture, and when we step out into the lobby, I stop suddenly. So suddenly that poor Riku isn’t able to keep up. He plows into me, causing both of us to stumble. His hands come up to grab me so I don’t fall over, but my heels make me unsteady. Instead of my waist, where I think he was aiming, he ends up with his hands cupping my tits. Once we’re stable again, I need to process that fact before looking up at what made me stop in the first place. Jace, Shane, and Cole are just standing there together. Jace is hiding a smirk, that asshole, but Cole and Shane look just as surprised as Riku and I probably do.
“Good catch,” Jace says, not hiding the laughter in his voice, and Riku springs away from me like I’m a bomb about to explode.
“I’m so sorry,” he quietly mutters. “It wasnotmy intention to grope you.” When he steps up next to me, I can see how flustered he is, and both Shane and Cole start grinning too.
“It’s okay, best bit of action I’ve had in months, so I should be thanking you,” I say breezily, which makes Cole’s smirk drop into a frown.Yes, she shoots and scores!“I’m sorry. Were you waiting for me? I’m afraid my appointment ran over.”
Cole crosses his arms. “Would that appointment be drinks at Club Chaos surrounded by your sycophants? Seriously, Jacinta, do you crave attention so much that you need to be drinking during the day?”
“Hey, man, that’s uncalled for.” Riku steps forward, holding his hand up at Cole, but I stop him before he can go any further.
I sneer at him. “Well, Cole, if you really were good at your job, you would have checked your sources and the legitimacy of the claims.”
“My sources are impeccable. I use them all the time.”
“Your sources are ripping you off if you’re paying them for their services. Where’s the proof? Do you ever ask for it?”
“I trust them.” With a scowl, he steps toward me, the movement aggressive, but I’m not going to let him intimidate me. I step up to him so that we’re chest to chest. Both of us are breathing heavily, the rest of the world fading away as my anger for this man blocks out everything else.
“Well, you shouldn’t, because I wasn’t anywhere near Club Chaos, and I most definitely haven’t been day drinking unless you count the coffee Riku made me.”
“Where were you then? We have to go over these appearances I’ve booked.”
He’s seriously not going to apologize for his assholeness? Alright, let’s do this.“You mean the appearances you booked without checking with me first? And I don’t see how it’s any of your business where I went.” We’re practically yelling at each other now, and I give him a little shove, but he quickly gets right back in my face again, his own voice rising.
“It’s my business because I’m the one who is going to have to clean up after your messes.”
An arm pushes between us, and Riku maneuvers me backward when Cole doesn’t seem to take the hint.
“How about you back off Ms. Summers,” Riku growls at Cole.
“Whoa, whoa, hey now, let’s all settle down a little bit and take a moment.” Shane pulls Cole to the side, furiously whispering in his ear as Jace joins me and Riku.
“Are you okay?” Riku asks, his concern clear.
“That man just makes me fucking furious! He’s as bad as everyone else, assuming the worst of me.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t cool, but you didn’t have to go all Xena warrior princess on him either. He’s just doing his job,” Jace says. His tone says he’s scolding me, but he says the words lightly enough that I can’t find it in me to hold it against him.
“Not very well,” I mutter.
“Okay, now that we’re all calmed a little, how about we get moving? We can finish this discussion over dinner. Alex decided to try his hand at cooking, and he’ll kill me if I don’t get you back in time.” Shane looks between me and Cole pleadingly.
“He’s coming to dinner too?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice, and Cole smirks. I just want to smack that smug ass smirk off his fucking face, and I feel my hand curl into a fist.
“Yep, Shane and Jace invited me just before you arrived. We haven’t caught up in ages, and I told him I was looking for you, so he said we might as well kill two birds with one stone.”
I can’t help the feeling of hurt that slams into my chest. I thought it was just going to be the four of us, and Riku, of course, but that can’t be helped. Now, they’ve invited the man who knows things about me I really don’t want to share.
