“We need to talk to Ria.”
Chapter 26
Ria
After Leo went out with my brother last night, I purposely went to bed before he came home as my head was all over the place, but mostly just full of Leo. Leading the monthly briefing with our executives and associates yesterday, I found myself seeking him out throughout the whole meeting. Every time I did, he was already looking at me, a soft smile on his lips, with those bright blue eyes that had me stumbling over my words. I never stumble. Ever.
When I went to bed last night coiled tight with tension, I decided I had to get my control back.
I’m wearing my favorite navy blue pantsuit and Prada pumps with a crisp white shirt. My hair is pinned up elegantly into a bun at the nape of my neck. The whole image I’m trying to portray isthe CEO I know I am. The one who has her shit together. I had a good talking to with myself this morning, and as Leo said, I’m going to own this.
Control and order. I have no room for chaos.
My heels stutter to a stop when I reach my kitchen and see Leo, my brother, Jade, and Deacon of all people sitting around my kitchen island.
Seems I have room for a little more chaos.
“What the hell is going on?” I scan each of their faces, hoping to find something, but all I see are dark circles under Leo’s and Hunter’s eyes, and Jade’s face looks just as confused as I feel.
“Absolutely no idea.” Jade glares at a sheepish-looking Hunter. “Your brother kept me up half the night tossing and turning but refused to tell me what was playing on his mind.” She drums her nails against the side of her mug, assessing my brother, and to his credit he does look a little scared of the tiny but formidable woman who is about to become his wife.
“I told you, Tink, that I’d tell you what’s going on but I needed to do it with Ria here too.”
“We don’t keep secrets,” she says softly as he cups her face.
“And I’m not.” God, the love that radiates off these two makes me so damn happy. My eyes flick to Leo who is already looking at me, and my stupid heart somersaults in my chest.
“So come on then.” Walking toward my coffee maker, I switch it on, trying to center myself and grasp that control that I’m desperately trying to get back. Turning and leveling the men with my gaze, they all look sheepish as they look down at their feet. My stomach rolls at their expressions. This can’t be good. Whatever has my unflappable brother, his clown of a best friend, and his grumpy other best friend looking like I just told them Santa wasn’t fucking real has to be serious. “Out with it, Hunter. I haven’t got all day.” I sigh.
“I… We…” He looks to Leo and Deacon for help, and something passes between them as he sucks in a deep breath. “I had Deacon do some digging.”
“Digging? Into what?” I scrunch up my face and wonder what the hell he has been up to.
“Ezra.”
“Ezra? What the fuck, Hunter?” My pulse quickens as I start to panic. If he’s been messing around and this comes back on me, I’m completely fucked. Ezra is already pulling at every thread within my business to unravel it; I can’t let Hunter hand him the fucking scissors.
“Something has just felt off, Ri. Come on; you know it. How the hell did he manage to get the funding to buy Peak? Nothing makes sense.”
“You stepped down as CEO, Hunter.” My voice is calm, but I know I’m getting my point across as I glare at my younger brother across the island. “You’ve overstepped. I didn’t ask you to get involved.”
“I know you didn't. That's why I haven’t mentioned anything until now.”
“Until now? You think it’s acceptable to keep these types of things from me?” My voice rises slightly as I continue. “You told me all those months ago that you trusted me to run Bright. Your exact words were ‘you could do a better job than me.’ So why make me feel like I can’t?”
He is silent as Jade rises from her seat, shaking her head then walking around to stand by me. His face says it all—he knows he’s fucked up.
“And you knew about this?” I look at Leo who just slowly nods. I huff out a humorless laugh. “Unbelievable.”
“I told him we should tell you. I didn’t want to keep it from you.” He pulls at his blond locks and groans. “But Ri, this is big. What Deacon has uncovered all makes fucking sense.” Hecomes around to stand with me and hands me a folder. “It’s all in there.”
I take it as Deacon slips behind me to pour the coffees.
“It all fits, Ri Ri. And now we know what we’re up against.” Leo grips my shoulder gently, the warmth from his touch easing the ache in my stomach slightly. “Read the file, Ri.”
Glancing at Jade, I see her nod, then I place the folder on the marble counter, opening to the first page. My eyes go wide when I see the photo staring back at me. It’s Ezra—a much younger Ezra—standing next to a huge smiling man who is looking down at him with what can only be described as adoration and pride. I know that man.
Dale Lucas.
