Amelia. Fuck, I remember her name from vague conversations I had with Iris, back when we were dating. I just didn’t know she’d be the complete opposite of Iris—leather-clad with a severity that I can’t place.
Instantly, the tall man behind her sister, the husband, smirks. “Thanks, li’l Iris. We could’ve introduced ourselves.”
Then he extends his hand toward me while Amelia rolls her eyes. Iris is simply grumbling beside them.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Levi Astor.” Kabir’s voice is chirpy, slightly accented. I would never assume that he didn’t do his homework.
I reluctantly shake his hand all while ensuring Cece isn’t freaking out. I’ve recognized she doesn’t do well with strangers—especially the unannounced ones.
“Likewise.” I give this tank of a man a firm shake. He’s shorter than Sebastian, but no less intimidating.
Who the hell are they? Their names ring a bell but I can’t seem to place them. I know Sebastian was once designated as a decorated hero a couple years ago, by the President of the United States. And there were a few others alongside him.
Jesus fucking Christ.Was Iris’s sister one of them? Are they all combat veterans like Sebastian?
“I see some realizations happening,” Kabir says, still smiling. “Don’t worry. We’re just here to help. Well… Amelia is—”
“I’ll be taking a long walk with Iris. Won’t we, my lovely sister.” Amelia’s face is stone, almost hardened to a practiced scowl.
“Fucking hell, Mellie—”
Iris is effectively cut off by her sister with a low voice. “Oh, you wouldn’t dare call methat, now would you?”
Iris rolls her eyes, shaking her head.
Amelia’s husband simply smiles in amusement as they walk out toward the exit—Iris, albeit reluctantly.
Then he turns his attention to my Cece. Who is surprisingly watching everything unfold with a slight hint of wariness. “Ms. Celestine Wentworth. But I hear you go by Cece.” Kabir shuffles on his feet and assumes a more relaxed posture.
“I do,” she says softly. “I’m not sure what you’re alldoing here, though.”
My question exactly.
Kabir frowns. “I thought Seb would’ve told you. We work at Blackthorn Security. So we just… wanna help.”
“I think Sebastian said that you’re only here for the show,” I say deadpan.
He has the audacity to snort. But the man can snort all he wants because I can see the steel behind the charm. “Show, definitely. But things could go sideways regardless. I just wanted to offer my… support.”
I feel a twitch in my eye. Somehow, I don’t think his support is the moral kind, by any means. But he’s staring at us both like he expects us to understand his vaguely worded response.
Pleasantries done, we all walk back into the massive hall that hosts most of our board meetings. There are over thirty people present in person—while most others are joining remotely.
I watch as Cece quickly scans through the crowd, coming to the same conclusion as I am. The main shareholders are here, including a very uncomfortable looking Charles. If Sebastian is right, he’s been involved with the hive embezzlement—as Seb puts it—for decades alongside my father and uncle.
Cece stiffens slightly when she finds Gareth staring at her with a small smirk. I want to punch that little condescending expression off his face. Uncle or not, I’ve never felt this homicidal before.
Shaking the vivid imagery of him attacking Cece, I gently guide her toward her seat in the front row. My hand never leaving the small of her back.
Technically, Cece is only here in a representativecapacity—given the Wentworth Group is affected by this emergency meeting.
I take my position at the podium, my gaze darting toward Sebastian who’s way in the back, Kabir right next to him. He gives me an imperceptible nod which I don’t return. His signal is clear—
It’s go-time.
After quickly ensuring that everyone is in attendance, I pretend to connect a random USB drive to the hall computer. But I know Sebastian has it covered already.
All I need to do is say a few words and the deck will take care of everything. I don’t know what follows but I suspect the hall will break into much louder murmurs than it currently is.
