Page 57 of Peasants and Kings
“Watched? You mean I was being filmed?” I asked, feeling my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“Honey, you’ve been filmed from the moment you stepped out of the town car outside The Rex,” Genevieve said dryly.
Ramsey knew, then. About my past and why I’d come to The Rex for help.
“The reason I’m here,” he continued, “is because something unusual has happened. You’ve been offered an exclusive contract with a client.”
“I don’t understand…”
“The client you were with at The Mansion,” Ramsey added.
“Hadrian?”
“Yes,” Genevieve said.
A thrill of excitement shot through my belly, but I forced myself to remain visibly unmoved. Cold. Detached.
I wasn’t sure continuing any sort of relationship with Hadrian was a good idea. In fact, I knew it wasn’t.
“We’re not at liberty to divulge specifics. He wants to be the one to discuss the contract with you directly, and of course your compensation,” Genevieve continued.
“What about my training period?” I asked.
“If you agree to his terms, then you’ll forgo the training period until you come back to The Rex,” Gen said.
I blinked.
“You can get on a plane this afternoon and be in New York to have dinner with him this evening if you agree to meet with him.”
“He’s in New York?”
“He had some business to deal with,” Ramsey said. “But he wants to meet with you immediately.”
I wondered if his business had to do with the phone conversation I’d overheard.
“If you’re concerned about your safety—” Gen began, as though I had failed to hide my emotions.
“I’m not,” I interrupted. “He wasn’t forceful. He treated me…it was fine.”
“Fine?” Gen repeated with a look at Ramsey.
“Am I allowed to refuse his contract?” I asked.
“Of course,” Gen said. “If you refuse his contract, you will come back here and continue with the training program like we had originally planned. Nothing changes.”
“No, I mean, am I allowed to refuse right now? And not even fly to New York to meet with him?”
Ramsey glanced at Gen and then back to me and said, “I don’t normally discuss our clients, but I know Hadrian personally. He’s a man of his word—in all regards. Youwantto meet with him. Trust me on that.”
“I don’t trust anybody,” I said before I could hold it back. “You’re vouching for Hadrian, but you said you know him personally. Does that mean you’re going to tell him who I am…tell him about my past?”
“No. You’re a Rex girl, and the rules don’t get bent for anyone, not even Hadrian. Meet with him and then decide. What do you have to lose?”
Chapter Thirteen
“Would you like another glass of champagne, ma’am?” the flight attendant asked with a pleasant smile.
“No, thank you, I’m fine. Just a glass of water, please.”
