“Your father wanted you to hire your own person,” Mrs. Laningham explained. “A person’s secretary is a deeply personal choice, and it’s important to pick the right one who will have your best interest at heart. I do have a list of qualified people within the company I can offer you if you’d like to start there.”
“Yes, that would be helpful,” I answered, then paused before entering the office. “Who am I meeting with?”
“That would be a Mr. Alejandro Molina. He runs a group of nightclubs we supply security to,” Mrs. Laningham informed me. “I’ll grab you the file with all the information you should need. The man comes in once a month to complain about how our security isn’t up to his standards. It gets under your father’s skin, and he can’t keep his cool.”
Fuck.Of course, this meeting had to be with one of the men at the poker game the other night. This means my plan to surprise Raymond and Harrison wasn’t going to wait. If I was meeting with Alejandro today, I feel like I might have until tomorrow. Most likely, I’d have to settle the situation tonight. Opening the office door, I flicked on the light as I was looking for Jace’s phone number. I really needed to put them all on speed dial.
Looking up, I stopped in my tracks, stunned at the office. This wasn’t at all what I expected, but it seemed Father had taken the time to have it set up with me in mind. There hadn’t been a name on the door, so I assumed it was merely a space they had open. However, no one but a woman would feel comfortable with this décor.
It was all soft creams and warm wood colors that popped with the bright sunlight that shone in from the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The desk was modern and sturdy to match the theme of the building as a whole, but the wall behind it was a beautiful mosaic of white, gold, and copper with floating shelves that held trinkets nestled on them. The office chair was cream-colored leather, while the two seats before the desk were a light gray and seemed to look comfortable.
Off to the side was a seating area with a couch and chairs that appeared incredibly inviting. Where Father’s office was all about power, mine was pure sophistication and class. Both held power in their own way, but this was more my style, and I was truly impressed. Sitting behind the desk, I called Jace and set it on speaker phone as I took in my surroundings.
“Lady Astin, how might I be of service?” Jace answered with absolute professionalism.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?” I asked, curious about the change from the man who was constantly offering hispersonalservices.
“Not at all, I’m always available when you need something,” he said, making me raise a brow.
“I see. Well, I was reaching out because Boss asked me to take a meeting with Alejandro. Can I assume you know who that is since you invited him to the game on opening night?” I questioned.
“Yes, I’m quite familiar with him. What information did you need?”
There was definitely something going on that caused him to give me this cold shoulder, even over the phone. “It was mentioned to me that he comes to complain about the security we provide him. Would you happen to know what in particular he takes issue with?”
“I’m not as in the know on that as Ryker is, but since you two are fighting, I can see why you’re asking me,” he commented, making me stiffen in my chair. “Alejandro doesn’t like that our men won’t take direction from him or go where he tells them. These are our men, and they’re on loan to the man following orders we’ve given them. He’s also mentioned a time or two he doesn’t appreciate they won’t let in some of his high-roller guests if they’re underage.”
“Interesting, so he wants us to give him men he can be in charge of and boss around. Why doesn’t he get his own people?” I asked and tried to ignore his dig, telling me that Ryker had been flapping his gums about what had happened.
“It was part of the lease he made with the boss. He rents space in our buildings for his clubs, and as a perk, he gets security as part of it. Nothing had been negotiated that they would be under his control, so he comes back every so often trying to wear the boss down into giving him control over them,” Jace explained.
“Hmm… now I can see why this is a frustrating experience for Father and why he handed it off to me,” I said aloud as I processed the information. “Seems I’m going to need to read over the lease unless you think it would be faster to ask Gunner?”
“Knowing the brown-noser, I’m sure he’d be more than happy to have the chance to redeem himself,” Jace muttered.
“Good point. Pretty sure he’ll answer my phone call this time too,” I said with a chuckle.
“Was there anything more you needed from me, Lady Astin?” Jace asked, making it clear he was done talking to me.
“For now no, but just to be clear, I don’t appreciate this attitude, and you better lose it by the next time we speak,” I ordered.
There wasn’t an answer to that, but I’m not really sure what he could say.
“At the risk of getting my balls stepped on later, I have to ask why?” Jace blurted, clearly unable to keep his thoughts to himself. “If you needed to get your rocks off, I’ve made it clear that I’m more than happy to help you out with no strings attached. Allowing yourself to be so vulnerable with someone like the mayor is a huge risk. Any one of your lieutenants would jump at the chance while offering discretion.”
“Yes, this discretion you speak of is being demonstrated as we speak. What, did Ryker send you all a group text to let you know what happened with the mayor?” I demanded.
“Astin, Ryker’s not the one who’s been spreading it around,” Jace corrected. “The mayor’s former aide, Melony, had been blasting you all over social media that she got fired because of you. She goes on to mention how disgusting it was that you fucked him in the women’s bathroom, screaming so loud that everyone could hear you. As for the other part, I just assumed you and Ryker fought about it because it’s Ryker, and he loses his shit when it comes to anything concerning you.”
Motherfucker, how did I not consider that? Of course, Melony wouldn’t take this lying down. She’d be pissed her meal ticket to fame just booted her for me. Son of a bitch.
“Look, I don’t have time to hash shit out with Ryker, but could you please reach out to him and make sure he’s doing whatever needs to be done to bury this?” I asked, dropping my head into my hands. “Also, just so we’re clear, I didn’t sleep with him. The one who was moaning like a dying cow was the mayor as I wanked him off. He’s the only one who got fucked, and that’s the last time I’m going to explain myself to any of you. Let’s not forget that I’m the fucking underboss here.”
The office door opened, and Mrs. Laningham entered with a file and put it on my desk. “He’ll be here in about ten minutes. I’ll show him in when he arrives, if you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, thank you,” I answered gratefully.
“I got you covered, Astin. Deal with Alejandro, and I’ll deal with Ryker. Do you want me to join you for the meeting at the High Heel?” Jace questioned, sounding more like his normal self. “Normally, I’d say have Ryker there, but I’m not sure that’s the best idea right now.”