I turn away, fighting to revive my tongue. “Do you need anything else?”
I’m already at the door when his cold voice reaches my ears.
“This place is a family asset, Maeve. Treat it like one.”
The door slams shut behind me as my numbness cracks. I opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, needing the extra time to ground myself.
Treat it like one.As if I don’t already dedicate myself entirely, body and soul, to the hotel every single day.
The Cypress ismine. The only thing I’ve ever asked him for.
I wouldn’t have even needed to seek his help if he hadn’t used a good chunk of my inheritance as his personal ATM. The only reason I could still afford half is because my mother’s mother was smart and put all the money she left me into an unbreachable trust fund.
I spend most of my free hours trying to keep this place. Meanwhile, his goons drink the bar dry and scare away my guests. Honestly, I’m just waiting for the day when the FBI or DEA or one of those other three-letter agencies shows up and shuts us down for criminal activity.
Cold, heavy reality weighs down my stomach, slowing my pace as I near the ground floor.
Though I may be irritated with Kellin, I still need him. Sure, other investors and opportunities exist, but he’s herenow, and the promise of his company’s backing is too good to pass up.
Zenith’s my ticket out from under my father’s sleazy thumb.
I slip out of the stairwell into the main floor hallway, pulling out my phone and dialing Kellin on the way to my office.
He answers on the second ring, and I snap instructions before we exchange any greetings.
“Meet me in my office at seven tonight.”
“Hello to you too.” Subtle laughter laces his voice. “Is this for business or pleasure? Or businessandpleasure?” The seductive waypleasurerolls off his tongue steals the oxygen from my lungs.
Though his teasing almost lures me into a better mood, the memory of my father’s dismissive, patronizing attitude prevents me from succumbing.
I slam my office door closed. “You want to see the books. Fine. Come by tonight, and you can see them. Two hours, and I’ll be right there the entire time.”
My hopes of owning this hotel outright and truly freeing myself from my father, his mafia, and the ghosts he keeps stashing upstairs ride on Kellin Jameson’s offer.
But I also require proof that he’s not just another man trying to own me. I won’t allow that.
There’s a pause on the line, so I push a bit harder. “Oh, and Kellin? I’m going to need something from you.”
“Notyet, Maeve.” The playfulness in his voice is obvious.
I grit my teeth at his callback to last night but refuse to take the bait. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Bring a full prospectus on your firm, the last three years of your annual reports, theassets under management, and anything else you can think of that might be useful.”
“Of course.” He’s all business now. “Seven o’clock, your office.”
I slump down into my desk chair, rubbing my temples.
Zenith’s investment in my hotel would provide the opportunity for real independence.
I can’t let that slip away.
Chapter 10
Maeve
At five minutes to seven, while I’m crunching numbers on my computer, finalizing invoices, and winding down the business of the day, my office door swings open.
I’m torn between amusement and annoyance. “You know, it’s considered polite to knock before you enter someone’s—” As soon as I glance up, the words die in my throat.
