Guil

I rode my bike to Vegas, because I needed the speed and the release. I’ve got a home here and more cars, but I don’t care about any of them. I lost what was most important, because I didn’t let Lyla know how important she truly was to me—is to me. I’ll work on a plan for that, just not right now. Now, I need to focus on work and revenge, because one of those two things is a vow I made with her present, and she needs to see me being a man who honors his vows.

“Have a seat, Guil,” Reina tells me as I walk into her office.

I take the one next to Rhieve, smiling at my friend, and hoping they have good news for me. I didn’t promise Brad I would find the person who had him killed, but I vowed to do it when he died in my arms. It was no accident or random act of violence. I know that deep within my soul.

“What did you find?”

“Something I wasn’t expecting, and I was genuinely shocked. That doesn’t happen very often.”

“I would guess not.”

“It’s the people you had dinner with, the ones Miles asked you to meet,” Rhieve tells me.

“George and Emily?”

“Yes.”

“I am completely confused over here.”

“So were we, until we dug a little further. George was apparently an old school friend of Calum’s father. He invested in the original company with an agreement to be co-CEO, but got into some financial trouble and asked to be bought out when the company began to make money. That was before it became a billion-dollar business. My would-be father-in-law, may he rest in Hell, cut him off and wouldn’t even take meetings with him when he wanted to come back. Calum taking over after his death just poured more salt in the wound.”

“What did Brad have to do with that?”

“George is the one behind his family’s takeover attempt. He’s also friends with that family and put the idea into their heads.”

“And he coincidentally got courted by Miles to do business with C&C?”

Reina answers me this time. “He used his influence to have the right people put him on Miles’ radar once Brad was out of the picture. He knew Calum was close to us and had to make sure we weren’t going to intervene. We would’ve if it came to that. Matt already had plans to fight and I have enough info on everyone to knock them right off their plan.”

“And then that bastard sat at dinner with me and Lyla. After killing her brother. I could’ve killed him right then and there.”

“He was sure her parents would convince her to vote with them until you brought her to that dinner. He asked to work with you so he could keep you close. Now, he’s in a tailspin and we don’t know what he’ll try next. But, I do know you’re not going to kill him. You will let us deal with him.”

I look away from her, but we both know I came to her for a reason and I will indeed let the Society deal with George. “They’re supposed to be at the gala this weekend.”

“Yes.”

“How’s this going to go down?”

“They’re going to disappear from the party, but we need your help—and Lyla’s.”

“I’m in, but she’s not speaking to me right now.”

“With good reason,” Rhieve reminds me, pinning me with a glare. “What you and Calum did was horrible.”

“I’m well aware of that, and so is he.”

She smirks. “Sleeping in the guest room is driving it home for him.”

“Savage. Withholding sex from your man,” I tell her, shaking my head.

“Who said I was withholding sex? I’m not going to punish myself while I’m punishing him. He just has to sleep in there.”

“Why didn’t I think of that when I was pissed at Matt? I’m totally stealing that by the way. And, we need to tell everyone,” Reina informs her, a wicked smile on her face.

Just damn. “Ganging up on the men, huh?”

“Look, they have their little Studkateer group with meetings and whatever the fuck else they do. I know they plot against us, so turnabout’s fair play.”

“Touché.”

“Back to business. Rhieve, can you reach out to Lyla?”

“Yes.”

They fill me in on the plan, and I have to admit it’s a good one. Not that I’m surprised; you don’t run the most powerful private spy network in the world by coming up with bad plans. Still, it’s good to know they have my back and will protect Lyla too. I just hope she listens to Rhieve and agrees to help.

* * *

Lyla

I wanted to tell Rhieve no when she called and asked me to lunch, but I’m also curious to see what she wants. So, here I am at the famous C&C cafeteria, designing my own my pizza before joining her in one of the little private dining rooms she’s snagged for us.

“Thanks for meeting me.”

“I’m not sure I should, but I wanted to hear what you had to say. And, I don’t think anyone turns down an invite to eat here.”

She smiles and gives an affirming nod. “Calum and Guil both know they did something wrong, and I can honestly tell you I would’ve put a stop to it if I’d known.”

“I appreciate it.”

“That being said, I believe Guil really cares for you. I’m not here to ask you to give him another chance to prove it to you, but I thought you should know.”

“Okay.”

She shakes her head and smiles. “You’re tougher than I once believed you to be.”

“Coming from the woman who defied everything she knew to be with the man she loves, I’ll take that as a high compliment.”

“Good, because it was meant to be.”

“What did you ask me here for, if not to champion Guil?”

“I need your help. We need your help.”

“With something here?”

“Kind of. The Foundation does more than just what the public sees. Sometimes we right the wrongs of evil people, and sometimes we avenge our friends. Or our friends’ friends.”

I sit up straighter. “This is about Brad.”

“Yes.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

“Even if it involves Guil?”

“Even then.”

She explains the plan, and I’m both shocked and angry by what she reveals. I believe my parents knew nothing about what was going to happen to Brad, but George—George is going to pay for what he did. I won’t rest until he does.

“You’ll need a dress.”

“I have dresses.”

“You need one that will bring a man to his knees.”

“George?”

“Guil.”

“I don’t need him on his knees.” She raises one eyebrow at me. “Okay fine. I’d like him to grovel a little.”

“He will. Count on it. And Stella will have something perfect to help get him there.”

“Stella? I get to eat here and get styled by her? Maybe I should apply for a job.”

“You don’t need one to come here and visit once in awhile, but we’d be happy to take a donation.”

“Done.”

We finish lunch and then I’m riding with her in the elevator. It’s surreal, especially when she reminds me I can’t tell anyone about what’s really going on here. Like I would.

“Can we still be friends if I don’t work things out with Guil?”

“Absolutely. Are you thinking of moving here?”

“It’s an option. I’m not sure what I want to do, but I have time and money, so I won’t be rushing into anything.”

“We have plenty of programs you can volunteer with. My friends here are awesome, and I think you’d fit right in with the group.”

“I’d like that.”

I would. Even more so after Stella finds me a dress that makes me feel like the bombshell Guil told me I was. Hearing it from her and Rhieve makes it a little more real. I know I need to accept myself before I can accept anyone else’s view of me, and I’m getting there. Slowly, but I’m moving in the right direction.