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“Of course. See you then.”
After they’ve ended the call, Ace turns to Noah. “Call Rylee and tell her we have something we’d like to discuss with her. Immediately. I’d do it myself but if I go ballistic on the phone she’ll never show up—and I’m not sure I’ll be able to restrain myself. Tell her to come now.”
So Colton refills all our coffee mugs as Noah makes the call. “Hey, Rylee, it’s Noah. Yeah. Good. Listen, Cash and I would like to meet with you in his office. Yes. Now, actually. Are you free?” There’s a pause as she says something to him. “No, it can’t wait. No, I’m afraid it’s somewhat urgent. Yes. Good. See you soon.”
I stand, clutching my bag in front of me. “I should probably leave you to it?—”
“Oh no you don’t, gorgeous.” Ace pulls me back down to the couch. I glare at him but he’s pinning me with a dark look that’s half stern and half…pleading. I’m not sure why, but his imploring need touches something inside me. He wants me here. “Stay.” It’s not so much an order as a sincere request.
I fucking need you.
I don’t know if I’ve ever been needed before. This big billionaire with his suit porn and his fancy office in the Manhattan skyscraper he actually owns…needs me. “Okay,” I whisper.
Ace barely nods, then he stands. And paces.
A few minutes pass while everyone drinks their coffee and waits.
Alexander is leaning back in the swanky leather office chair, his feet propped up on the corner of Ace’s mahogany desk. “I think I need to work here too. This is so much more fun than Maddox Enterprises.”
Before anyone can respond to that, Hayley’s voice comes over the intercom. “Rylee Winters is here to see you, Mr. Maddox.”
We all steel ourselves before Ace goes to the door and opens it.
30
We all stand up as Rylee walks in. Her eyes go first to Ace. But then they fixate on me and they are not friendly. I have no doubt she’ll throw me under whatever bus she possibly can.
Rylee looks as gorgeous as always and I’m reminded that she’s a model and an heiress. She looks every inch of both. Her cheekbones could cut glass and her lithe, waif-thin body belongs on a catwalk.
Everything about her screams money. White-blond hair hangs almost to her waist and moves like liquid. Her cream power suit and matching pumps are clearly designer and her make-up is flawless.
For a second my face flushes with the uncomfortable heat of insecurity. My dress is understated, with the slightest cowgirl flair in the suede detailing at the hem. I bought this dress in Austin and it shows. Not only that but I’m curvier than Rylee and suddenly feel like a grain-fed heifer standing next to an exotic gazelle.
I’m an out-of-towner and, surrounded by these New Yorkers whose wardrobes are clearly sourced from Saks Fifth Avenue or wherever, I feel out of place.
Ace, who has a knack for reading my thoughts, places his hand on the curve of my hip, his thumb pressing gently. A boss wouldn’t touch an employee like this. It’s too familiar. It’s reassurance and it’s also a claim. Rylee’s razor-sharp glare zeroes in on our connection and her cheeks get pink under the smooth mask of her foundation.
“So, you two are together now?” she asks icily. “Like, together together?”
“That’s not really the concern here, now, is it, Rylee?” Colton answers. To Colton, nothing in life is to be taken too seriously. But even doused in good humor, his words are as cutting as a pick axe.
I’m immediately struck by the band-of-brothers vibe in this room. These four men are power players. Wall Street titans. Multi-billionaires. They’re also fiercely loyal to each other.
Rylee’s a fool to have tried to take them down, and I think she’s beginning to see that now with crystal clarity. “I loved you, Cash. I still love you.” Her eyes pool with tears.
“If you love him, why are you trying to get him thrown into jail?” Alexander asks matter-of-factly. “Blackmailing him isn’t the best way to get him to fall in love with you.”
“He broke my heart!” Rylee cries. “I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me!”
“Did you really think you would be able to pull this off?” Noah’s question is incredulous. “This is insider trading, Rylee. You were really willing to take us all down because Cash called it quits with you?”
“We were perfect for each other,” she sobs. “He’s my soulmate.”
Ace runs a hand through his hair agitatedly. “We’re not fucking soulmates, Rylee. Jesus Christ, what’s wrong with you? You refuse to take no for a fucking answer. And now you’ve dragged the entire company through the mud while also jeopardizing your own career. For what? For a petty grievance. I didn’t think you’d be that vindictive, I really didn’t. I gave you the benefit of the doubt because I thought even you wouldn’t go that far. Clearly I was very fucking wrong about that. But you should know that I intend to press charges and prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
Rylee makes a small sound, a light exhale, like she’s finding it hard to breathe. “I didn’t want to do it, Cash! I just couldn’t believe you could be so cold, stonewalling me like that when I loved you so much! I tried to get your attention in every way I could, but you shut me out like I meant nothing to you.” Rylee bursts into tears. “You’re heartless, you bastard.”
“So you were willing to destroy me? Who the fuck does that, Rylee?”
