287 Meeting the Wests(2)
“You look like a copy of your mother. Has anyone ever told you that?” He remarked, looking her up and down in a way that made the hairs on her skin stand.
“So you know my mother. I don’t know whether to be repulsed or horrified.” She ignored the hand that he had presented for a shake. “My mother has nothing to do with this meeting so can we keep her out of this?”
“Gladly.” He retracted his hand as though he didn’t realize he had been ignored. He spun on his heel and took a seat, still eyeing her creepily. “After all, you are sexier.”
“Can I kill him?” Zaria wanted to die. She should have known this was a bad idea.
He held her hand, knowing how pissed off she must be. “When the time is right, you will not need to do it yourself.”
“I’m still here,” Gabriel announced his presence.
“Yes, you are. Is the fact that you will be dead before the decade is over still a secret?” Desmond pulled a seat for Zaria and plopped himself down. “Let’s cut the chase. You are not getting back Veronica’s shares.”
“How boring.” The elderly man sighed. “I didn’t think I’d have to pull out the big guns so soon...just kidding. Why would I want them back? This is my chance to welcome such a capable player to the team.”
“Yeah, right.” Zaria knew what the man wanted most was to push her six feet underground. His pretense was more ridiculous than the practiced smile he had plastered on his face.
.....
“So, tell me, Zaria, what would you do for The West if given this chance?”
“This is not a job interview. I am not under any obligation to reveal my plans to you.”
“Touché.” He laughed heartily and pulled out a cigar, then pointed at the decanter at the center of the large table, with three stem glasses beside it. “It’s a century old. Help yourselves.”
He guffawed when neither of them moved.
“It’s not poisoned. I don’t see why you shouldn’t drink it unless...you are pregnant.” His gaze landed on Zaria in realization. “This just got more interesting.”
“Lay a finger on her and you’re dead!” Desmond growled.
“You have nothing to worry about.” Gabriel laughed exaggeratedly, as though he was not the same man who had shot him years ago.
He faced the protective tiger with yet another fake smile. “If I gave a fuck about women you knocked up, Rosaly Fort-or should I say Rosaly Aguilar-would never have been born. And Lisette...”
“Shut up.”
“Is this the part where you give us a tour of the place?” Zaria was tired of the drama.
“Be my guests.” He stood up and led the way, but it wasn’t long before they split ways. The men had a bone to pick so she followed Gabriel’s assistant to check out the resort since Desmond was already familiar with it.
Meanwhile, Gabriel took the chance to poke fun at Desmond. “Your little assistant is a fireball on heels.”
“Don’t make such remarks about my fiancée, it’s disgusting.”
“Fiancée,” Gabriel drawled the word like it was a joke. “Why would such a feisty wild kitten want to be tamed? Besides, do you have any idea who her mother is?”
“If I didn’t know before, I know her now that you said it out loud.” He grabbed the man by the collar. “I don’t know what the hell you are thinking but don’t provoke me.”
“Or you’ll burn The West down? Come on, you can do better than that.”
...
The chance to create mayhem had presented itself on a silver platter, so Gabriel couldn’t wait to meet up with Alyssa. The duo had dinner together the same evening, and Gabriel could barely shut his mouth about his meeting with Desmond and Zaria.
“To think Desmond would reject a woman like Natalie Sparks for one who is not good enough for him. Such a disappointment, right?”
“I always had high hopes for my son.” Alyssa was beside herself with fury.
“Men can be blinded sometimes. It’s normal. But once the temptress is gone, they come back to their senses.” His smile made his words sound less like a suggestion for Alyssa to get rid of Zaria.
“Trust me, that slut is harder to get rid of than she looks, with all her bodyguards hovering over her.” Alyssa downed the rest of her wine in one gulp. If it was up to her, Zaria would have been buried ages ago. “My Samantha is dead because of her.” She lamented.
“And you cannot avenge your children because of these bodyguards you mentioned?” He leaned closer. “Who are they?”
“The Dark Knights.”
Gabriel stared at her. “Take it seriously, Alyssa.”
“Not just The Dark Knights. La Rose Noire too.”
Gabriel nodded as the words sunk in. It didn’t make any sense. “I know Zaria is not a simple woman but why the hell would syndicates protect her?”
It was Alyssa’s turn to be surprised. Did he not know? She stood to leave, uttering a name between gritted teeth on her way out. “Lucy Roatta.”
“Of course, it would be Lucy.” He grumbled as he watched Alyssa leave. That woman was probably every company owner’s nightmare. But not for much longer. He happened to know the one person who could take Lucy down-with Zaria tagging along like a helpless kitten.
____
L’Hotel Luxe La Rive.
Liam had expected the date to be awkward but he was not prepared for this level of discomfort. His parents had arranged the date tonight, not giving him a chance to say no to it, and standing her up would probably lead to consequences he was not ready to face.
Abbie had shown up all dolled up and despite his dislike for her, he had to admit that she looked beautiful in her little black dress.
“It’s nice to see you again, Liam. It’s been nearly two decades since we last met.” She spoke around her crazy straw.
“And that’s a bad thing?”
She pretended not to notice his meaning. “Liam, you don’t appear to be in a good mood. Is work taking a toll on you?”
“It’s okay.” He tried not to be unfriendly. He hated this blind date as much as he hated her, but she was not to blame for the choices his parents made. Besides, he had already conspired against her behind her back. The least he could do is not embarrass her in a restaurant full of patrons.
However, she was not making it easy. An irritating sensation made him look under the table. Abbie had taken off her shoe and was running her toe gently up his leg.
“Stop it.” He warned, but his tone merely made her think he was asking for more. She used her toe to lift the hem of his pants, making him nearly snap. “I said stop it!”
“Okay. You don’t have to be so mean about it.” She slid her foot back into her shoe.
He thought she would stop her insanity after his outrage but he was wrong. By the time their food arrived, she had already revealed details he didn’t think he wanted to know about a woman he wanted nothing to do with, and was currently subtly flashing her voluminous chest at him.
“Oh God,” He wanted to get out of here-and he did when she thought it would be a good idea to take his hand.
“Liam!” She rushed after him in her high heels. “You can’t do this to me. You are going to embarrass both of our families.” She said in a hushed tone.
“Which is exactly why you chose this place, right?” He swatted her hand away when she reached out. L’Hotel Luxe La Rive was the favorite place for most celebrities to have meetings and meals and as a result, it was not lacking in disguised paparazzi. Abbie was probably banking on him not being willing to come off as a jerk in whatever twisted stories the media would sprawl across the gossip headlines the following day.
“I have always loved you! Why won’t you look at me?” She yelled dramatically as he walked out, successfully drawing all the attention to them.
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