Chapter 23
Aria’s POV
I couldn’t believe this.
How the hell did Jace even know the heir of a family like this?
And if they were really this close, then my chances of closing this deal had basically dropped to 0.
“What are you doing here, Jace?” I asked under my breath.
That bastard looked back at me with smug little smirk, pure satisfaction written all over his face. “I’m here for business of course. The difference is, unlike you, I’m doing it the decent way
“What the hell did you say about me? I never did anything inappropriate during work-
“Oh cut the crap.” He stared at me coldly. “We all know exactly how you stole that manager position from me.
That Zane Elrod whistled. “Wait, what? This chick took your manager title? Ouch! How the hell’d you let that happen man?”
“Because apparently I don’t have a hole between my legs.”
They both burst out laughing simultaneously.
My fists curled at my sides as I glared at them. “Mr. Elrod, I can promise you that nothing Jace said is true. Feel free to call Apex and ask about my sales numbers–I treat my work seriously. And if you actually listened to my pitch, you’d know exactly what I bring to the table.
“Right–your brilliant strategy that lost Apex millions,” Jace sneered. “And then had me clean up after you.”
“That’s a complete lie. That deal never-
“Of course you’d deny that. Especially now that you’ve had our dear Alpha wrapped around you finger.”
God do I want to fucking slap him! And he was glaring right back at me as well. For a second it felt like we were about to full–on fight.
“Alright, alright, enough.” Zane drawled lazily. “God, I hate tension during business. If you two want to win me over, maybe start by entertaining me a little?”
“Of course, bro. Anything you say.” Jace grinned like a loyal puppy. Disgusting.
“Then let’s go somewhere else. The air’s getting a little stiff here.” Zane stretched and stood up. “Wait here. Gonna change real quick.”
And with that, he disappeared into the house.
“You need to leave,” Jace snapped the second Zane was gone.
“Why am I the one who has to leave? I got here first. You go.”
He seized my wrist abruptly, tight. “You have no fucking idea how to handle rich pricks like him, Aria. To men like Zane, women aren’t human beings–they’re fucking toys. I’m doing you a favor by telling you to walk away before you get crucified!”
I glared at him. “Oh right, women as objects. That must be your motto as well Considering how you dumped like trash and treat his wife like an ATM.”
“So this is what this is–you are jealous.” He snorted.
“You’ve god to be kidding me right now-
-I know why you’re hanging around Delilah. You’re still trying to work your way back into my life.”
He leaned in closer, voice low in my ear.
Well, it’d be lying to say I haven’t thought about you too. Delilah’s so spoiled, privileged. She never made me feel the same way as
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04 AM
Chapter 23
you did. But you’ve got to stop getting my attention by getting in my way. It’s not working.”
What the actual fuck?!
Can you even believe this punk?
I yanked my wrist away and shoved him back hard. “You piece of shit. This isn’t about you. And this isn’t some stupid high school drama, I’m here competing fair and square. Got it?”
His jaw clenched. “You really think you stand a chance?”
“Won’t know unless I try, asshole,”
We glared at each other, breathing hard. And that’s when Zane came back out, fully dressed.
“Jeez, you two still going at it?” he yawned as he walked over, slinging an arm around Jace’s shoulders. “Alright, enough fighting. Time to have fun!”
was already mentally bracing myself for whatever chaos Zane had planned.
But turns out I’d underestimated that guy.
I thought he’d take us to some conference room in the estate, maybe sit us down for lunch while we took turns pitching
Yet instead, he took us to a strip club.
A fucking strip club. In broad daylight!
I was in total disbelief when we walked into that dimly lit space. Sure, it looked fancy, but it was still a strip club. I must be the only women in the room wearing a top.
“W–wait, Mr. Elrod, are you sure we’re at the right place?” I struggled to walk alongside Zane. “This is hardly the place to discuss business don’t you think?
“This is how I do business. There’s the door if you don’t like it,” He said lazily.
-But-
“Oh relax, sweetheart,” he laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulder and even stealing a kiss on my cheek. “Look around–nobody else seems as uptight as you.”
I stood there, frozen, Jace followed us in, raising his eyebrows and giving me a smug “told you so look. I gritted my teeth and forced
ayself to keep going.
I wasn’t going to let that bastard win. Not today.
They gave us the highest VIP booth in the room. Almost immediately a girl wearing nothing but a thong climbed into Zane’s lap, moaning as she ground her hips and pulled his hand up to her breasts.
“What about you, my man?” Zane yelled over the loud music,
“You know me. The usual, Jace grinned.
Zane whistled and snapped his fingers. Another girl with short hair slinked over and wrapped her arms around Jace’s neck.
“You’re married!” I biased under my breath.
“And are you my wife?” That jerk rolled his eyes at me,
“OK now I must ask, Zane turned to me, his blue eyes flashing with mischief. “I figured the girl who could land Grayson Hart must be a real freak in bed. But here you are–acting like some uptight little prude. How did you do it?”
“I didn’t get close to him because of how I look or what I wear,” I snapped.
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Chapter 23
“No way. What else do you got besides those pointy tits and big ass?”
The whole booth erupted with laughter. Even the dancers were giggling
I shot up from my seat, my body shaking with anger.
“Mr. Elrod, I do want your business. But if all you’re here for is to humiliate me, please stop right now.”
He smirked. “Do you also call stop halfway through in bed? Way to disappoint your customer.”
Okay. I’m done.
I grabbed my bag, spun on my heel, and stormed off. Yet he suddenly called out:
“Alright, alright. Aria, wait”
I paused, in my track,
“I’ll be honest with you. The thing is… I’m not a huge fan of Grayson Hart,” he said lazily. “Swore I’d never do business with anyone close to him. But admire how persistent you are. So how about this: you do one more thing for me, and I’ll sign.”
turned around, suspicious. “What thing?”
He gave me a grin
It was goddamn handsome–but his eyes were pure cold malice
“You want to pitch right? Yeah you can pitch–just do it while you’re stripping yourself on this table. I promise you’ll have my undivided attention this time. How does that sound?”
I stared at him..
And then I suddenly dropped my bag, ripped off my blazer, and marched straight up to him.
He whistled, eyes lighting up with excitement. “Now we’re talking-
I snatched a bottle of wine and dumped the entire thing on his head.
“How about a splashdown for you to start with?” I snapped. “How do you like that, asshole!”
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