Lucky for me, the store had my measurements on file and the off-the-rack suit they’d sent fit perfectly. I had two more coming that would be tailored fit to me. I hadn’t bought more because I hoped my father or Kalen would be back to work by next week.
By the end of the day, I was one hundred percent certain I had no appetite to step into my father’s shoes.
My father’s assistant practically ran after me when I left the office a little after six. “But, Mr. King, you have—”
“Reschedule,” was my response as the elevator doors shut between us.
Though my father wouldn’t have left the office so early, I wasn’t his clone and I had my own business to look after. I couldn’t wait to get out of the monkey suit and tie when I reached home. I changed into my preferred leather pants and T-shirt and snagged my favorite leather jacket. The one I’d purchased with the first profits I ever made from my club. Though it had seen better days, it was a reminder I was my own man, not just Royce King’s son.
I was already late for a meeting with Eliza, but it would be good for her to wait. I grabbed my helmet and was off to my preferred office.
When I got in, I was told Eliza was waiting. I went to my office and sat before I called for her to be sent in. She wouldn’t like that. It meant all the employees knew she was on my shit list. But I didn’t care because she’d almost fucked us both. She’d been the closest thing I had to a best friend, and she’d shit on that.
“Boss.”
I glanced up long enough to give her a cool stare before turning my attention back to the paper before me.
“Boss,” she tried again. “I said I’m sorry.”
Anger burned brightly in me. “Your apology doesn’t mean shit when we could be dead from your stunt.”
“I know.”
“Really?”
The word had so much steel in it, she flinched.
I added, “Because out of everyone in the world, you should know better.”
“I know,” she repeated with downcast eyes. “I just missed—”
“Don’t say us. We both know that didn’t work and nothing’s changed.”
“I know.”
I was really getting tired of those two words. “I need you to fully understand that I rule here. We are nothing more than two people who work together. Me, the boss, and you, the loyal employee.”
“I am loyal.”
We were finally getting somewhere.
“You’ll prove it tonight. I have a guest coming and I need you to be on point when she’s in house. No one is to call me anything other than Sir. Do you understand?” Before her screw-up, I might have explained myself. Not anymore.
“Yes, Sir,” she said with her eyes on her lap and not on me—as any submissive would do in a show of complete submission.
Truth was, tonight, I needed all my employees, including her. I’d complicated things by inviting Lizzy. It had been an impulsive move. A dick move would be more accurate, because my dick was most certainly anticipating her arrival.
“Get to work.”
She had an uphill battle now that people knew she wasn’t top dog anymore. It was time for me to groom someone to take her place. Eliza’s mistake made me fully aware of the error of putting my trust only in her.
There was much to be done before the doors opened in less than an hour. I needed to be sure that all the guests had been vetted. It should have been done, but I liked to check myself. I had extra security from Griffin’s security firm, and I needed to personally check them as well. I would have done so before now but working two jobs was eating much of my time. Lizzy was taking up the rest.
Though I was pressed for time, I had no regrets there. What got me through was the anticipation of her arrival.
When the call came, a wicked smile crossed my lips.EighteenLizzyThe quintessential little black dress covered my skin, or at least some of it. The square neckline barely covered my chest. With the spaghetti straps and the hemline at mid-thigh, much of me was exposed. But thanks to the lacey mask, I didn’t feel completely bare as I walked into Manhattan’s best kept secret—at least to those without the money to be in the right circles to have heard such rumors.
Security had been thorough, including a pat-down—by a female bouncer. I would have objected otherwise.
I wasn’t allowed to bring anything inside, including my purse and cell phone. I’d been required to secure those items in a small locker like you might find at an amusement park. There was even a computer monitor to lock it with only my fingerprint. No other personal information was taken, which was the reason I hadn’t objected to that either.