Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,100

I remain calm in complicated or chaotic situations. My only explanation is that I don’t allow chaos to govern my mind. I wouldn’t be able to maneuver through them if my mind escalated to an unhealthy level of stress. I know it will be handled, and that is the goal I strive for while confronted with things I believe would stress or upset others.”

“Wow.” I smiled at him. “Makes sense as to why you didn’t knock Derek’s ass out after he threw a punch at you.”

“That was much simpler. I knew if I engaged the man, especially while he was not in his right mind, it would only fuel what I knew he wanted. I chose not to give him any credence whatsoever while trying to upset me.” He took another sip of bourbon. “I quickly learned that my weak point with that man is you. Without question, I would fight back, knowing between right and wrong, if he were to attempt to harm you or Addy.”

“Well, the prick is in jail.” I rubbed his leg. “Don’t worry your handsome self about him hurting Addy or me. Just getting away from him helps me.”

“Yeah,” he said. “And Addy? She’s okay with Mom skipping town on her?”

“She doesn’t care where Mom is at the moment.” I leaned against him. “She’s had an awesome day at the zoo and will be ready to crash by seven tonight after the movies. She’s having a little party of her own.”

Jim chuckled. “Good. She and you both deserve a little fun, don’t you think?”

“We’ll see how much fun a speaking event can be.” I laughed.

“Yeah, you gave me a glimpse of your shit show yesterday, so you get mine tonight and tomorrow.” He ran his hand over my arm. “However dull the event might be, I swear to God, you’re not leaving Palm Springs without me fucking you senseless while we’re there. I’ve waited far too long for that, and after this afternoon?” He exhaled and licked his lips. “Your ass his mine when I get the first chance. Mark my words on that.”

“And now you’re working me up.”

“Good,” he said, reclining against the sofa. “I need you wet and ready for your man when we get in that room.” He gently ran his hand over my hair. “Perhaps we can enjoy a hot shower together? It might be the only place where it’s private when we first arrive.”

“Doubt that. I’m fairly sure that after this helicopter ride, your hotel room will be a house of its own.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jim

All of the itineraries were changed, the venue was amended to accommodate my standing in Alex’s place, and any other possible issues that might arise from me taking over at the last minute were settled.

It was always crazy, the shit that had to change to keep people calm when soliciting them to work for or invest in a new company—be it a hospital, or big or small business, or anything, really. The slightest change could create a shit storm, and this whole conference, which was orchestrated to bring in new investors, executive team members, and more medical staff for Saint John’s Heart Institute…it all could fall apart with the slightest alteration. Now that we were integrating the neuroscience center, we certainly had no room for error. We needed this to be nothing less than superior.

I felt like the biggest ass ever, having had only a few moments alone with Avery on the helicopter before we landed. My phone began blowing up with bullshit the second we stepped out of the chopper, and I’d been on it since we walked into our presidential suite. That’s when Clay and Joe took over in prepping Avery for the night. These guys were practically family since Ash came into our lives, and I enjoyed having them around; however, I couldn’t even make the introductions. Thank God Avery took to them immediately and reacted with her usual brightness and enthusiasm.

While I was stuck on my damn phone, it was Clay who took control of the scene and gave me his what a shame that Jim is such a workaholic look. I knew Clay well enough and he wasn’t a dick about it. This man with his own heart of gold genuinely seemed to feel bad for me, and I never really understood why he did, until I met Avery. That’s when I realized it was apparent that I hadn’t been living a life outside of my business. Here I was proving I