She winks at him as Diesel swoops in and kisses her hard. “Told you, Viper through and through.”
They all look at me as I just stare at her, and she tilts her head with a grin. “Your plan was better, but attacking from every angle will keep them running and give you time to take them down.” She shrugs.
“Love.” I shake my head and crook my finger at her. She slides closer, and I cup her chin, her eyes blown a little with desire, those lips parting. “You’re a genius,” I murmur, as I lean down and brush her hair behind her ear. “Keep doing things like this, and we might start to think you don’t hate us at all, that you even like us,” I tease.
She snorts and pulls from my grip, throwing her hair over her shoulder. “Don’t get cocky, I was bored and this was fun, that’s all. I still hate you.”
I smirk at her, running my eyes down her body. “Is that right? Still sticking to that old lie?”
Diesel sidles up behind her, smirking now too. “Little Bird, I don’t think you hate us at all.”
She narrows her eyes and then spins, smashing her knee into his junk. He falls to the floor laughing, even as he winces and covers his cock. The idiot loves it. She grabs his hair and tugs his head up, staring down at him like a fucking queen. “Don’t go annoying me, we both know that will only end up with you bleeding again.”
She looks over at us then, not afraid even in the least, hoping we will push her, get her all riled up. “Anyone else want a reminder?” She zones in on Garrett. “Want to go for round two?”
He grins at her. “You couldn’t handle me, baby. Remember what happened the first time?”
“When you had to ice your cock?” she retorts sweetly, and he booms out a laugh.
My phone rings, and I answer it as she threatens Kenzo next, a smile on my lips. “It’s done. It won’t hold for long, but it’s long enough to send a message. You were right about those papers though. We’re on our way to secure ten employees and five family members.”
“Good.” I hang up and look back at her. “Stop teasing them, love, we have work to do.”
She strides past Kenzo, who leans in. “You love us, admit it.”
She socks him right in the face, and he falls back to the chair, laughing even as blood pours from his nose. Shaking out her hand, she storms up to me, her eyes alight. “If I had my fucking gun…”
“Yes, well, that’s why you don’t get weapons, you have a tendency to use them.” I smirk as I wrap an arm around her. “Come on, you’re coming with me to a meeting. We’ll give those poor bastards a break from you beating them up.”
She huffs but lets me lead her away, and when we get to the door, I hear Diesel declare, “I’m going to marry that woman.”
She struggles in my arms. “Let me stab the bastard—”
Laughing, I toss her over my shoulder. “Behave, or I’ll let him play with you. God knows he might even marry you without telling you.”
She freezes then. “Fucking animals. Stupid motherfucking snakes.” I smack her ass, and she yelps.
“Unless you want me to fuck you in the middle of a board meeting, enough with the language, brat.”
When we’re in the elevator, I drop her to her feet, and she glares at me—such a fucking fighter, our girl. Doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven her for walking out, but it’s a start. “What’s the meeting?” She looks down at the see-through shirt then and at me.
“With the board. We are expanding. It’s boring stuff now that we have a few days to deal with the Triad and put a solid plan in effect, but we still have to run our everyday business. Prove their attack didn’t affect us.” I shrug.
“And I’m coming half naked why?” She sighs, crossing her arms. I don’t tell her it just presses her nipples tighter to the material and makes my mouth water.
“Because I hate them and get bored. With you there, I might enjoy it.”
“Ryder, you can see my vagina,” she points out.
Running my eyes down her form, I smirk. “Can you? What a shame, might rouse the old bastards enough to get stuff done.”
“Uh-huh, or give them a heart attack?”
Leaning closer, I cage her in. “Own it, love, you do everything else. If you’re good, I might even let you beat Diesel up later.”
“Like you could stop me. We both know that crazy bastard will be waiting.” She smirks but tosses her hair over her shoulder before eying me. “Fine, give me your jacket.”
I do as I’m told and she slips it on, rolling back the too long arms. She doesn’t bother buttoning it, but it covers her chest enough that you can’t see her breasts, to my disappointment, and she looks somewhat dressed. What a shame.
“I am telling you, no one will notice.” I roll my shoulders back as we stop.
“Yeah, how?” she scoffs.
I smirk and wrap my arm around her shoulders as it opens onto the top floor we use for meetings. There are a few staff members up here, but as soon as we exit the elevator, they quickly look away. “Because they wouldn’t dare look at you,” I murmur, as I stride to the conference room. They are all there, ten men and three women, sitting around the table waiting for me. I stroll in and take the seat at the head of the room. Roxy drags a chair close and sits next to me, her legs going up and onto the table, bare.
I grab the file and flip through it. “Anyone who even so much as looks at Roxxane will be fired on the spot,” I warn casually. I hear uncomfortable shifting and a quick cough, but when I look up all eyes are very purposely locked on me. “Begin.”
“Sir, our sales have increased over the last quarter, and since our profit has doubled with pharmaceuticals, we are looking to buy out our competitor and expand that way,” one of the females starts, Rechel.
“Do it.” I nod. “Next.”
A plump man next to her coughs nervously, his face red. “I—we have managed to get the permits we need to build the new tower—” He keeps glancing at Roxanne, and I hold up my hand as I glance down at the report.
“You’re fired,” I tell him without looking up from the numbers.
“W—sir, what?” he sputters, his face red and mottled.
“You looked at my woman, you are fired. I want you gone in the next hour.” I look to the woman next to him. “You, tell me what he was incapable of sharing.”
“The permits are secured, we begin building at the end of the month,” she rushes out instantly.
“Good. What is your position?” I query, as the man storms from the room.
“I was his vice CEO.” She tilts her head back proudly.
“Not anymore, welcome aboard, CEO, make them aware you will need his wage and benefits immediately.” I nod and move on. We go around the room with no more issues, and Roxxane watches it all until we get to the last man.
“We have secured properties across the city for your new venture into the catering and bar business.”
I nod. “Good, that will all be going through Roxxane here. She’s in charge.”
I feel her staring at me and wink over at her. “Roxers is included in that. You may do whatever you wish, make them profitable, I’m sure—” I look over at the man, and he grins.
“Ried.”
“Ried here can help you with whatever you need.”
He looks at her then, and I watch him carefully, but he keeps his eyes locked on her face. “It’s a pleasure to work with you. I’ve seen Roxers, and it has a rustic appeal everyone is searching for now. I believe, with your vision and knowledge, we will have some amazing establishments.”
Her eyes widen as she looks him over. “You’re too clean, kid. Lose the tie and then we can talk.” I chuckle, unable to help myself, and she leans in closer. “Also, you ever get drunk? You look way too young.”
He nods nervously as he loses the tie. “Once or twice. I’ve been busy with university—”
“Good. First things first, go get trashed. You want to run a bar? You gotta know what sells, what they want. Go find it out,” she directs effortlessly. She might not realise it, but Roxxane is a natural born leader. She has all the requirements and doesn’t scare easily, she will be an added bonus to our company.
“Dismissed,” I call, and they all talk among themselves as they quickly collect their bags and folders and go to leave, but Ried hesitates, looking at Roxxane again.
“Ma’am—”
“Fuck, don’t call me that, it’s Roxy.”
He grins then, relaxing. “Roxy, would it be possible if I could present some ideas as well?”
She smiles at him. “Hell yes. I haven’t got a clue, kid, so you’re my go-to man.”
He seems to puff up at that and finally leaves.
“Roxers?” she asks, her eyebrow arched.
“It’s your bar.” I shrug. “Now you can do whatever the fuck you want…start a franchise, I don’t care, make your own money. Want to build a casino? Do it. Want a whole goddamn island? Just ask.”