“Is he still in reception?” I frown and give Rebecca my full attention.
“I put him in one of the side meeting rooms on the ground floor. He was starting to cause a scene."
“Thank you, Rebecca. I'll head down to see what he wants.”
“I’m sorry. I know you’re super busy right now, but he was refusing to leave.”
“No, you’ve done the right thing. Don’t apologize. You head off for lunch now, and I’ll deal with this.” I button my suit jacket up and head to leave my office when Ria and Grace come around the corner.
“Oh, no, you’ve got your serious face on.” Grace shudders and then laughs. “Did the Seals lose again?”
“No. Ria, can I have a word?”
“Of course.” She looks concerned as she follows me toward the elevator, and Grace continues toward Ria’s office. “Mr. Lucas is in reception and he wants to speak to me.”
“Why is he here?”
“I have no idea, but I’ll find out and fill you in.” I press the button to call the elevator.
“I’m coming with you.” She crosses her arms across her chest.
“I don’t want you within five feet of that man.”
“I can handle myself, Leo. This is my company, remember.”
“I know.” The elevator doors open and we both step on.
“So I’m coming.”
“Okay, I can’t stop you.”
“Too right you can’t.”
“But just know, if he steps out of line I will stand up for you, and if that means punching that prick, I’ll do it.”
“If he needs a punch, Leo, I’ll be the one to do it.” The elevator doors open and she struts out. “Come on, show me where he is,” she shouts over her shoulder, and fuck me, I love this take-no-shit version of Ria.
Catching up with her, I guide her to the meeting room Rebecca told me she had put Mr. Lucas in, and she strides in.
“Mr. Lucas, what can we do for you?” Straight to it, she doesn’t even take a seat.
“I asked for Leo not you,” he snarls as he stands.
“Too bad. This is my company, so you’ve got me and Leo. Lucky you.”
He stares at her for a minute before relenting. “Fine, take a seat.” He motions to the seat opposite him.
“You’re in mine.” She lifts her chin, and he rolls his eyes before standing and moving to the one he just asked her to sit in. I watch as she strolls to the other side of the room, pushes the chair back in, and stands behind it. “I think I’ll stand.”
Fuck me, she’s in full-on boss mode. It’s a power play I’ve seen her dad do countless times, and I suppress my grin behind my hand because Dale is rattled.
“I don’t have all day, Mr. Lucas.” Rolling her eyes, she crosses her arms and sighs. “I have places to be, people who are worth my time to see.”
“I can see why my boy left you.” He sneers. “Too high-maintenance." To Ria’s credit, she doesn’t even flinch.
“No woman is too high-maintenance for a man who enjoys luxury. It’s called having standards and knowing your worth. Now speed this up.”
I can’t take my eyes off her. Right now, she’s being the woman she always was before Ezra beat her down.
