Page 184 of Conquered
“Did Sami tell you that Richard was reading Mum’s will to me today?” I ask her, and her eyes go wide, mouth falling open a little.
“No, she gave us no details. Just said that you were going to be there, and what time,” Lex replies.
“Did you know Mum had stocks, shares, and bonds in Black Knight Corporation?” I question, suddenly desperate to know more about this part of my mum’s life. Lexi’s arched brows dip.
“Isn’t that the big company who used to bring clients into Grey’s?” she turns to Ryan and enquires. He also frowns.
“Yeah. And come to think of it, Laura was never there when they came...I don’t think, apart from maybe once…” he responds in an uncertain tone.
I look round at the guys, but if their furrowed brows are any indication, they are just as confused as we are.
“I wonder if that Mr Black guy would know more…” Lex muses aloud, and I catch Kai sitting up straighter, leaning forward.
“Did you say, Mr Black?” he quizzes her, his tone urgent. Jax and Loki sit forward in their seats too.
“Yeah, he’s a regular,” Lex tells him, then looks at me. “He was your mum’s biggest fan,” she says, flashing a small smile. “Why?” she asks, looking back at Kai.
None of the boys say anything, just exchange glances. I let go of Lex’s hand, turning so that I’m facing Ash, knowing that the others will follow his lead.
“What’s going on, Ash?” I ask firmly. He darts a look to Ryan and Lex, and I can’t help but roll my eyes at him. “I trust them as much as I trust you. They were at my birth for fuck’s sake!”
He waits a beat, then sighs, taking a sip of his drink.
“Well, apart from apparently you, a Mr Black is the second largest shareholder of Black Knight Corp.”
CHAPTER TEN
LILLY
After that bombshell, which poses more questions than answers, we all eat a light but delicious lunch of finger sandwiches, more fruit, and some divine mini cakes.
The boys leave Lexi, Ryan, and myself to catch up, sitting on the sofas as we sit round the small table. I tell them all about Highgate, about the crazy amount of schoolwork, and the beautiful Colorado scenery. Lexi almost chokes when I tell her in hushed tones the story of Ash’s party, when I danced for the guys using all the moves she taught me—obviously omitting being tag teamed afterwards by Loki and Jax whilst Ash watched.
She makes me promise to have a girl’s night whilst I’m here, and I just know she’s going to ask me all about the guys, because she’s always been a dirty bitch!
As they’re getting their coats on, Lex suddenly turns, a huge smile on her gorgeous face.
“What are you doing tonight?” she questions, practically bouncing on her toes.
“Um, I don’t think we have any plans…” I start, but she interrupts with a squeal.
“Yay! It’s the Grey’s New Year’s Eve party, you must come!”
“Wait, it’s New Year’s Eve?” I ask, my head spinning as I try to work out what day it is. She rolls her eyes at me.
“You always were clueless, Lilly Bear!” she laughs, pulling me in for a hug. “I’ll tell Grey to reserve you a table. You rememberBom Bidi BomandCandyman, right?” she whispers in my ear, and it suddenly dawns on me what she’s saying.
A grin takes over my face, which she returns with a wink as she pulls away, and leans back in to kiss my cheek. “Let’s show those boys what you can really do, huh?” she murmurs.
LOKI
We find ourselves standing in the entrance hall of one of the most exclusive gentlemen's clubs in London. The walls are painted a soft grey, with matching velvet drapes, and black and white tiled flooring.
A thrill runs through me at being here. I mean, it’s fucking Grey’s! This is where deals that change the course of the world are made, all whilst sipping the finest alcohol, and watching the most gorgeous girls dance, although the latter no longer interests me now that I have the most beautiful woman in my bed nightly. In all our dealings and preparations to take over our roles at Black Knight, we’ve never been invited inside Grey’s until tonight.
“Welcome, and Happy New Year,” a stunningly attractive redhead greets us, beaming but not overly familiar. “Let me show you to your table, Lilly will join you shortly,” she tellsus, leading the way to a dark wooden staircase and down to a basement level.
The lighting down here is more typical of what I would expect from a strip joint, albeit a high-class one, being dark and moody, with clearly expensive furnishings, a clean woodsy smell and twinkling lights on the ceiling that I think are in the patterns of star constellations. The redhead leads us to a set up in the corner that has dark grey semi-transparent drapes surrounding it, a large circular table in the center, and is surrounded by deep red leather chairs. There are steps that lead up to the table, and I notice that each of the tables are set up the same, all with identical drapes to create a more intimate feel. I like it and my heart beats faster with anticipation of the unknown.
