Son of Randall Mason.
Owner/ CEO of Mason Productions.
Occupation: None
Engaged to Payson Reith for 1 year, 3 months, 22 days
My mind racesat what I’m reading. His father is a big-time movie producer, however, if I recall his father made a statement at a press conference about his retirement next November. His son is said to take over afterwards. So, Kraig is a nobody compared to me. Fantastic. This will be easier than I thought.
CHAPTER 16
Ledgar
When I’m finished readingthe email, my phone pings with a security alert. As I pull it up to watch the footage, the elevator starts moving. The 7thfloor. I’ve been in this damn elevator longer than I care to admit. Waiting. The doors slide open and there she is. Payson steps inside, stumbling like she just had the air knocked from her. Her face is red, tear-streaked, and puffy. She doesn’t pay me any mind as the doors close. Then she breaks down. Quiet at first, then grows louder. She’s crying. Her fingers slam against the button to the ground floor. Once. Twice. Again, like pressing it multiple times will make it descend faster.
My chest tightens. Seeing her like this… I drag my eyes over her body. She doesn’t have any visible injuries. No signs of bruising or bite marks. Nothing physical as far as I can see. Her pain isn’t physical, it’s internal. For a second, a split second, I consider reaching for her. Pulling her out of whatever just shattered inside her, and into my hold. A dangerous thought to conquer.
Instead, I pull my attention away long enough to press the button to the 2ndfloor. The elevator slows to a stop, and I step out. I take the stairs quickly to the ground floor, pushing my way into the conference room behind the reception desk, grabbing the phone without pausing to take a seat and dial the front desk.
“Front desk,” a woman answers.
“It’s Mr. Hartley.” The woman is silent. Listening attentively.
“There is a woman heading your way. Last name Reith,” I say into the phone. “Give her access to my penthouse. Say nothing, except she’s been upgraded to the room with the best view.” I wait a moment.
“Yes, sir,” she replies, and I hang up before she can say anything else. I flick the security feed onto the screen of my cell. She’s standing there with another woman, her friend perhaps, who does all the talking. The only time her lips move is when Payson gives her name. The shift at the desk is apparent, but subtle for all except me. Andrea moves quickly, doing as instructed. She slips a piece of paper with the code into the friend’s hand. No questions. No hesitations. Good. I make a mental note to give her a small bonus as a thank you.
Another alert pings, this time from the camera at my door. They make their way inside and close the door behind them. I let out a breath, then press line 2. My brother’s voice comes through the speaker.
“I thought you couldn’t stand to hear my voice any anymore,” Griffith says, amusement thick in his tone.
“Griffith.” A quiet laugh leaves me. I can’t help myself. He’s been preoccupied lately by a certain blonde, I suppose.
“Ledgar,” he replies. “To what do I owe this undesirable phone call twice in one day?”
My tone shifts, playful to all business.
“I need you to contact Randall Mason.” I pause before adding, “End all of our endorsements immediately.” He’s quietfor a moment and I continue. “If he asks why, just tell him his son abused my hospitality for the last time.” He doesn’t comment. Doesn’t ask questions. Just ends the call. We built this name on three things: loyalty, respect, and standards. And we don’t tolerate anyone who forgets that.
My jaw tightens slightly. If our father were still alive, he wouldn’t have given me the chance to handle it quietly. Griffith will handle everything, with interest. He always does. I glance once more at my cell. At the closed door of my penthouse, and the woman who is inside it. This is no longer just business.
CHAPTER 17
