“At least he admits it now.” I chuckle. “I can’t tell you how many times I had to listen to him complain about how hard it was to work with her.”
Wilson laughs. “Typical Aidan.”
“Sometimes attraction can get mistaken for dislike,” Betsy says.
“That’s what I said.” Rachel is smiling as she meets my eyes. She guessed right the first night she saw Aidan and Liz at the preview. I squeeze her hand under the table.
There’s a lot to talk about, and it’s relaxing to take my mind off work and be with the people I love.
We’re having dessert when I look across the restaurant and, from a few tables away, see Evans Sinclair glaring at me.
To tell the truth, I couldn’t care less about Evans. I’m more concerned about his dinner companion, Devlin Barkely, the chairman of a hotel conglomerate. He’s also Sinclair’s godfather. The older man follows Sinclair’s gaze to mine and bares his teeth at me in what is supposed to be a smile.
Beside me, Rachel has noticed Sinclair, and she gives me a worried frown.
I smile. “More wine?”
She nods and I refill her glass.
Determined not to let thoughts of Sinclair ruin my mood, I focus on my companions, answering Wilson’s questions about the Newport hotel. We’re still talking when Barkely approaches our table.
r /> “Landon Court.” His smile is all charm as he offers his hand first to me, and then to Wilson. “It’s been ages.” He turns his smile to Rachel before nodding in Betsy’s direction. “I’m Devlin Barkely,” he announces.
“Rachel Foster, my girlfriend,” I say drily. “And Betsy Hayes, Wilson’s wife.”
“I’m charmed,” he tells Betsy. “I tried to hire your husband away from the Courts a long time ago. He wouldn’t give me the time of day.”
“He was happy where he was,” Betsy replies.
Barkely’s smile doesn’t waver as he turns back to me. “I stopped to congratulate you on your accomplishment with the Gold Dust. I have every confidence in your continued success.”
I study him for a moment. I know how to fight for what’s mine, but I don’t court enemies, and I know certain people are formidable enemies to have. Barkely isn’t just the head of a powerful conglomerate with the means to bully, blackmail, and arm-twist other organizations, he’s also a shrewd businessman.
Shrugging, I keep my voice level. “Your choice of dinner companion doesn’t give me much confidence in your words.”
He chuckles and glances back at the table he just left, where Sinclair is glowering in our direction like the little goblin he is. “Evans is my godson. I owe him a fair hearing, but I owe it to myself to make sound judgments.” He smiles. “Have a good evening.”
He leaves us, and after a few moments, Sinclair follows toward the exit, swaying from too much wine and whatever else he has imbibed. He flips me off as he goes, but I ignore him.
“Who was the other guy?” Rachel asks once they’re gone.
“He’s the chairman of a conglomerate that acquires and manages hotel chains,” I explain.
Her brow furrows. “Acquires? Like takeovers?”
“Yes.” Wilson’s voice is grave. “They take the soul out of hotels and kill them with so-called efficiency. Sinclair there was probably trying to get him to try to acquire Swanson Court International from under Landon’s feet.”
“If he can.” Betsy’s voice is dismissive, and her confidence in me is bolstering.
Rachel is still frowning. I give her a reassuring smile. “It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter.” I squeeze her hand. “Swanson Court International is a very strong institution. I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring that. Even if Evans got a few people to sympathize with him, they’d be on a fool’s errand trying to hurt me.”
That seems to placate her, and she relaxes. We move to other topics and finish our dessert.
After dinner, we head outside. A car is already waiting at the entrance for Wilson and Betsy, and after we say our goodbyes, they leave.
Soon after, Joe pulls up, and I open the door for Rachel, waiting for her to settle inside before going to the other side.
I have my hand on the door handle when I hear the loud sound of an engine revving.