“Figured this place is as good as any.They’d never think I’d come here, and no one ever uses the pool this time of day.”
There are several thick wooden doors along one side of the wall, with signs related to safety, temperature, and gender.I hold a finger up, signifying quiet, and one by one, clear the sauna, the steam room, and the bathrooms.
“Okay,” I say, joining him by the pool’s edge.“What’s going on?”
“I’m not firing Eddie.”
It takes a second for me to comprehend what he’s saying.
I don’t get it.
“Why?”
“I can’t.There’s too much at stake.We’ve got to play it a different way.”
The relief that floods through me is unprofessional—he’s not backing down, he’s adapting.His tone is pure determination, and god help me, it makes me want him even more.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Adrien
Normally I’d blame the jitter in my fingers on too much caffeine.But sitting in the leather seats of a hastily chartered jet, watching Brie work on her laptop, the tremor feels like a warning light.Instead of coffee, I crave a nice scotch.
The plan is simple in concept, risky in execution: convince Moira Kelly to cut a new deal directly with me, bypassing Eddie entirely.It’s either brilliant or suicidal—I’ll know which when I’m face-to-face with the woman who could leave me bankrupt.Something she may want to do once I expose her.
I formulated this plan between my office and the condominium swimming pool, and it had better fucking work.I debated bringing Brie, but ultimately insisted she join me, as I believe she’s safer on a jet to Paris than she would be back in New York on her own, even if she camped out in my place.I know little about this Magpie organization, but I know how the wealthy elite operate; they prioritize self-preservation.Without knowing who might be threatened with this investigation, I’m not about to leave Brie behind.
In the hold of the plane, she has three suitcases filled with everything she believes we might possibly need.I packed only one small duffel for a fresh change on the return flight tomorrow, as I don’t plan to stay.
The hole in the plan is my father.Five messages unreturned.Mom has assured me he’s not avoiding me, that he’s out on a catamaran with friends.I’d plan to meet him on the dock, but he’s in Greece, and I’m en route to France.My gut tells me if I’m going to carry this off, I need to move fast.
Out the window, clouds mix with blue, and farther out toward earth the blue of the Atlantic stretches to the horizon.The woman sitting across from me, a table between us, offers the superior view.But judging from her taps, she’s deep into a messaging exchange with her team.
I overheard enough of her phone conversation to know that she’s struggling to convince them I can be trusted.Her boss, Hudson, didn’t want her leaving the country with me.But she believes she’s keeping me safe.Letting her believe that proved to be an effective method of convincing her to come along.
I stare at my phone, willing it to ring.
My plan falls apart without my father.I moved across the ocean for my independence, and here I am needing him once again.It’s annoying as hell.
Under the table her knee finds mine; her blue eyes flick up.I slide my hand to the edge of her leg.The Lycra is warm and taut under my palm.Given we’ll land late and there’s no chance of any meeting before the end of our day, we’re both dressed casually.
Everything depends on this working.Not just the club—though losing my first independent venture would be humiliating enough.It’s Brie’s safety and the trust of every member who believed The Sanctuary was truly sanctuary.I’ve spent three years proving I’m more than a trust fund heir.I have no desire to let Eddie’s betrayal undo all of that.And I sure as hell won’t allow anyone to threaten Brie because of my business.
Finally, my phone lights up with my father’s name.
I answer it on speaker so Brie can hear everything.
“Dad.”
Brie closes her laptop, her attention set on me.
“Adrien.Where are you?”
“Somewhere over the Atlantic.”
“What—Margot is looking for you.”
“Why?Because you told her I called?”
