She looks at each of us. “They’re not just buying up midtown; they’re trying to put the Kingstons out of business.”
Silence fills the room.
Even Knox looks impressed.
Paul straightens. “Shit.”
I stare down at the map, and slowly realization settles in my chest.
Eleanor looks up at me. “This isn’t about the Sterlings expanding, Bobby.”
My jaw clenches. “No.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “It’s about taking us out and then taking over.”
A dark feeling settles low in my gut because the more I look at the map, the more I realize she’s right.
Victor Sterling isn’t testing boundaries anymore; he’s planning something big.
“Fuck.” I throw my hands up in the air. “How did I let this happen? How did we miss this?”
Eleanor’s cheeks flush. “I’m sorry. This is my?—”
I cut her off. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. None of this is your fault. I’m the one not paying fuckin’ attention to our business.” I look at Knox. “Get Bennett and Cole in here. Now.”
Paul and Knox walk from the room as if they can’t leave fast enough. My chest is heaving, anger filling me. If Eleanor hadn’t caught this, it could have destroyed us. I cup her face in my hands. “Thank you for this.”
She tries to shake her head. “No. You don’t thank me. This is my family too, and I’ll do anything to help.”
She leans in and kisses me. I try to deepen the kiss, but she stops me, patting my chest as she pulls away. “I’m going to go.”
I put my hand on her shoulder to stop her. “You don’t want to stay for the meeting? This was your discovery.”
She smiles softly, pleased. “I don’t need to be here for the meeting. I just want to be a part of all this. I want you to talk to me.”
I hug her to me. “God, this feels good.” I lean back and look her in the face. “You don’t have to go.”
She rubs my chest. “I’m going to the apartment, and then I’m supposed to meet Luna for dinner.”
I love that she calls it her apartment because it would kill me if she called it home. I want her to move home, but I keep telling myself that if I’m patient, she’ll eventually come back.
I kiss her again and pull away when I hear footsteps in the hallway. “I love you, Ellie.”
She slides her hand up my chest and around my neck, pulling me down for another kiss. “I love you too, Bobby.”
We’re still embracing when there’s a knock on the door and all the guys come in.
The mood is already set for the meeting, but Bennett, Cole, and Knox all hug Ellie before she leaves. With one last glance at me, she waves goodbye. I wish I could follow her, but there’s work to be done. At least she’s agreed to keep Paul with her.
CHAPTER 9
ELEANOR
Luna pushes her plate away and leans back in the booth with a contented sigh. “Okay, I’m officially stuffed.”
I laugh softly and take another sip of wine. “You say that every time and then somehow still order dessert.”
“That’s because dessert doesn’t count,” she says seriously.
