“Thanks,” I say. I go to open the door, but someone beats me to it. A big man with a shaved head in an all-black suit. It must be the dress code around here. His posture reminds me of someone who has been in the military. He has to be a few inches over six foot. “Graysen?”
“That’s me. If you’d follow me, Ms. Jones. I’ll take you up to Mr. Castillo’s office.”
My stomach drops. Okay, so this is bad. Right? If Travis has done something shady, wouldn’t this place call the cops on him? “Are you coming?” he asks. I’m still sitting in the back of the SUV.
“Yeah.” I slip out and follow him in and onto the elevator. “Rae here?”
“She is.” His response is short and to the point.
“I’m guessing you’re not going to clue me in on what’s going on?”
“Sorry, ma’am.” He gives me a half smile. A ding sounds before the doors slide open, and he motions for me to step off. “We’re going to the end.” He points. My eyes land on the double doors at the very end of the hallway. A few people in the office glance up as we pass by. One person whose office is the last one before the double doors actually stands, coming to the door. The nameplate on his door reads Aaron.
One of the double doors swings open right before I get to it. I drop my head back, and my breath catches when my gaze locks with dark gray eyes. I’ve never seen anything like them before. Hell, I’ve never seen anything like the man standing in front of me.
He’s in a custom suit. I’m sure it has to be because of the sheer size of him. He’s not as broad and built like a linebacker as Graysen, but he’s definitely an inch or two taller and built in his own right. A smile pulls at his full lips, revealing perfectly straight teeth. He has to be the most handsome man I’ve ever met in person.
“Julieta. I’m Vincent Castillo.” The way my name rolls off his tongue feels intimate. He makes my name sound sexy. He holds his hand out for me to take. I do. His big hand engulfs mine before a tingling sensation shoots through my body. “But please call me Vincent.”
“You can call me JJ if you like,” I offer. He keeps his hold on my hand.
“I rather like Julieta, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t.”
“Come.” Still not letting my hand go, he leads me into his office. My eyes go to the floor-to-ceiling windows behind his desk that look out onto the water and the docks below. It gives you a clear view of it all. I’m guessing it was designed to do exactly that. “Here.” He motions to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. He releases my hand, taking his warmth with him. He shifts the chair so it’s on an angle before I take my seat in it. To my surprise, he doesn’t go around and take his seat behind his desk. He takes the other chair in front of his desk. His legs are so long they almost graze against mine. “Can Aaron get you anything?”
“A water?” He nods.
“Have you eaten today?” His question catches me off guard.
“I’m not sure my stomach could handle it at the moment. Where is Rae?”
“Just water for now, Aaron.” Aaron walks over to the minibar that is across from a sofa with a whole sitting area. His office could rival Lawson’s. Aaron pours me a glass of water, bringing it over to me.
“Thank you.” I take a sip.
“You can set it on my desk,” Vincent says. “Clear the room,” he tells the other two men. Graysen is still lingering in the doorway. They both leave without question.
“Rae?” I ask again, remembering why I’m here. It’s easy to forget with Vincent sitting so close to me.
“She’s here. With her brother in one of my conference rooms, but first we need to speak.”
“Why do you need to speak with me?” I ask, confused. I still don’t understand what I have to do with any of this. What I do know is that Vincent must be the one that Rae was speaking of when she said who was in control. Even though he has been polite, it’s clear he holds all the power. And a lot of it.
“Because Travis’ fate lies in your hands.” What the heck?
“I don’t understand. What has Travis gotten himself into this time?”
“Who is Travis to you?” Vincent leans forward. For the first time, something shifts in the room. His face grows serious.
“He’s like a brother to me. We grew up together in the same foster home.”
“And you’d do anything for him?”
“I suppose within reason. If I’m being honest with you—”
“I always want you to be honest with me. No matter what.” I nod and keep going. Something about his words makes me relax to a degree.