Revenge was only one part of their plan. Justice was another.
He held out his hand and she took it. She had a firm grip, but when she was about to pull away, he placed his other hand over hers, trapping her. He looked right into her eyes. They were brown with flecks of gold in them. Pretty eyes. Another thing she tried to hide in those business pictures. She wore glasses, likely trying to make herself look serious. “I want to assure you that we’re here and you’ll be satisfied with our services. We’re dedicated to our clients, and I’ll make sure this buyout runs as smooth as clockwork.”
Her eyes widened and he saw a flare of awareness go through her.
It was a revelation to meet her in person. It was likely difficult to be the female boss in a male-dominated industry. She would have to hide her femininity, to cloak it in a coat of chilly intellectualism in order to be taken seriously. It was obvious that she felt at home here in her own office.
In the real world, she likely had very carefully placed walls.
Poor Ellie. He was going to have to break them down.
She smiled at him, and it turned her face from serious to stunning in a second. When Ellie Stratton smiled, it was like someone had turned a light on in a previously dark room.
“Thank you.” She seemed to realize what she’d done and pulled her hand out of his. Her cheeks had a pretty blush to them. She was divorced, according to the dossier their security firm had worked up on her. He would know more this afternoon when Mia got back from Dallas for their briefing. “I’ll be honest, I’m actually quite happy to have found a new firm. My father’s lawyers were oh-so-stuffy. I’m not sure they knew what to do with me.”
Castalano smiled her way. “You’re a force of nature, sweetheart. They should let you do what you do.”
She smiled for the disgusting old man, and Riley felt his heart rate tick up. “You’re too nice to me, Steven. And not everyone thinks the same way you do.”
“Then they can take a long hike,” Castalano said with a smirk. “You’re going to do great here. And don’t worry about the lawyers. This will all work out. I promise.”
“It’s only a formality.” She stepped back and nodded Riley’s way. “If you’ll follow me, we can get started. Steven, if you’ll excuse us. I hope your day goes well.”
Castalano suddenly seemed bright. Well, as bright as his craggy, florid face would allow. “It’s wonderful, Ellie. I’m going to grab my clubs and meet my friend at Chelsea Piers for our weekly session. You look like you’re in good hands with these two. See you later, dear.”
She gave him a wave and then began walking toward the executive wing. “If you’ll follow me, gentlemen. I was so grateful you could take me on. I know it was short notice, but I’m very appreciative.”
Riley walked slightly behind her and wondered if she knew how the dress she was wearing clung to her backside. She had a spectacular ass. Little Miss Prim and Proper turned out to be someone entirely different than he’d thought, and she had some serious junk in her trunk. What had seemed like a mission of sexual martyrdom suddenly looked like something else entirely. He might very well enjoy the next few weeks.
“Come on, brother,” he said quietly. “Let’s get this thing started.”
They’d waited twenty years and it was finally here.
ELEGANT SEDUCTION
Trinity Masters, Book 6
By Mari Carr and Lila Dubois
Click here to purchase.
A CIA asset, an heiress and a corporate mediator
Sebastian has dedicated his life to upholding the ideals of the Trinity Masters. However, when his best friend, Juliette, is named Grand Master, he knows secrets he’s harbored will be revealed. While he expects Juliette to be angry, he does not expect her to call him to the altar, to bind him to a stranger, Grant, and to Elle, the woman who’s haunted his dreams for years.
Then Juliette reveals a secret of her own. There’s evil at play in the secret society and she needs him to root it out. Sebastian has no choice but to go undercover to spy on his own trinity. As the danger surrounding the trio grows, Sebastian is forced to choose between loyalty and love.
Because reluctantly bound to Elle and Grant or not, Sebastian can’t deny the pair have earned their place in his soul.
“We’re going out to dinner,” he said.
She turned slightly, before returning to face the mirror. “Oh. Okay. I guess I’ll see you later then.”
Grant smirked. She wasn’t getting out of it that easily. “We’re going out, Elyse. You, me and Sebastian. Grab your coat.”
Elyse turned around at that, responding with annoyance to his imperious tone. Good. She had a fighting spirit. It gave him no joy to see her sad, to see her struggling. If he had to piss her off to spark a little life into her, he’d do it…and love every minute of it.
“Excuse me?”