then. But now, after snapping his fingers in Adeline’s face, killing him is back on the table.
“I’ll make the arrangements,” she answers meekly, wearing the fake ass smile on her face that hides what she’s really thinking.
I almost feel bad for being part of this.
Almost.
Satisfied with his wife’s response, Grant turns to me and begins his sales pitch about the company, rambling on about sales figures, stocks, acquisitions, expenditures - a bunch of shit I couldn’t care less about.
I barely hear a word he’s saying as my eyes track to Adeline every so often, her body stock still in her seat as she stares at me with expected fury behind her blue eyes.
Fighting not to smile each time I see it, I’m saved from Grant’s boasting when the server reappears with our meals in hand, placing them in front of us as if he’d just unveiled a priceless artifact that we should offer our left nut for.
Unimpressed with whatever the fuck that is on my plate, I take immense pleasure in the scowl on Grant’s face. It makes the food more enjoyable, only because he hates it so much.
With my napkin tucked on my lap, I stab my fork into bite after bite, chewing slowly while Grant looks as if he might die right here in front of me.
He pats his mouth with his napkin a little while later, giving up on pretending he can stomach the food. I take far too much satisfaction in it. Unfortunately, his sudden lack of appetite frees up his mouth to continue his pitch, and my stomach sours immediately. This man loves to hear himself talk.
Thankfully, I thought ahead, the seconds ticking down until an alarm on my phone frees me of the nightmare. Grant is mid-sentence when the alarm finally rings and I lift to a finger to shut him the hell up.
Glancing at my phone, I feign apology. “Sorry, I need to take this.”
I’m on my feet and walking away from the table quicker than he can respond. Faking a conversation, I glance Adeline’s way to see she’s watching me closely, her eyes tracking me across the dining room while her piece of shit husband whispers something in her ear.
Her lips pull into a thin line, but she nods her head, taps out a note on her phone, and finally looks away.
This lunch needs to end. I’ve accomplished what I want for now. But there is still one last hook I need to bait before walking out the door.
Slipping my phone in my pocket, I walk back to the table and toss a hundred dollar bill down. Grant’s eyes lift to my face, his brows tugging together.
“I apologize, but something important has come up. It’s like you said: no rest for the wicked. I have another meeting I need to attend about another investment.”
A flicker of concern flashes in Grant’s eyes and I know I just sunk the hook into his lip. Now all that is needed is to tighten the string and reel the bastard in. It’s too bad for him that he’ll be chasing that string for a long ass time.
“This should cover the cost of my meal-“
He shoves the hundred toward me, a practiced smile stretching his lips. “No, please. Lunch is on me.”
Pausing, he sits back in his seat attempting to appear relaxed when he is anything but. I can see the desperation behind his gaze, the slight tick of his jaw that indicates frustration with the turn of events. Grant Cabot is not a man accustomed to taking no as an answer. He has no idea how truly weak that makes him.
“If you don’t mind me asking: who’s the other firm? I’m sure I can beat whatever they have to offer.”
I almost laugh. Unless this bastard is offering me his wife, there’s nothing else he has that I want.
Plucking the hundred from the table, I tuck it in my wallet. “I do mind, actually. But I’m still willing to hear what you have to say tomorrow night.”
It’s impossible not to look at Adeline next. When our eyes lock, she stills, a sheen of concern coloring her cheeks.
“As I said before, it’s been a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to when we see each other again.”
The color deepens, and I want nothing more than to chase it down her body.
Standing from the table, Grant offers his hand. Our palms lock in a grip that makes him wince. He thinks he’s a tough man - tough enough to