Page 41 of My Off Limits Billionaire Boss

“What?” I am trying to comprehend what the hell is going on.

The sound of helicopter blades cutting through the air and the hissing of the engine envelopes the serenity of this moment. It lands on a circular cemented area behind a column of trees. A hidden helipad, surrounded by oak trees that prevents the winds from its blades from disturbing the balcony. The gleaming silver colored helicopter has the emblem of Elysian painted on its door.

My face is clearly speaking to the surprise of the moment. Ethan Knight gets up from his chair. He extends his hand to me. “Let’s do this.”

I am not sure what it is we are doing, but his gesture is so commanding, so manly, like an invitation to a partnership. I grab his hand and he gives me a wink followed by a boyish grin.

I melt at his charm. We walk hand in hand towards the helicopter.

Clearly, he wants his staff to know I am with him.

Several men in suits, part of his security walk with us. One of them, the head of his security says something to Ethan and Ethan nods to acknowledge what he said. The helicopter gleams in the sun, its engine is running and ready for our takeoff. I feel a mixture of fear and a childlike thrill. I squeeze Ethan’s hand and he looks at me. The annoying head of security is a little too close but somehow, I still feel the intimacy of this moment, feeling the warmth of Ethan Knight’s strong hands. His thick wavy hair is ruffled by the helicopter’s rotating blades, the lapels of his dark suite are flapping, yet his tie is firmly knotted in place with the Elysian logo.

“Whatever happens now Brooke, there is no going back.”

He holds my hand tightly. I feel his strength. I nod at him. And he gives my hand another squeeze. I don’t know what happens next, but I do know I want to be with him.

MEETING THE ENEMY

BROOKE

We are twelve thousand feet up in the sky, heading into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind the coastline of Portugal in a distant mist like some forgotten memory. We are wearing noise canceling headphones with attached microphones that allow us to talk to each other. In such situations, I would rather remain silent, and I find that Ethan is the same. I am glad, I am sitting next to him, and facing us in the two seats across from us are two burly men in identical suits. Ethan introduced them over the headset as “Jim and Bob.” They nodded at me and that is all I need to know about them. It does strike me how strange life is. I met a handsome stranger in Hawaii, now I am riding with him in a helicopter allMorning Ready,sitting across Jim and Bob, to an unknown destination, tomeet the enemywhatever that means.

The constant vibration and circulation of the helicopter blades is hypnotic. It was an amazing sight to see Portugal and Spain and the massive countries become green and brown mountains beneath us. The view of the massive shimmering Atlantic Ocean is endless. Our hypnotic state is interrupted by the official voice of the pilot.

“We have the coordinates. TheDominationis cruising eight miles west. We’ll be there soon.”

I look at Ethan Knight and I see his jaws clenching. We don’t have much time for anticipation becausethe Dominationis soon sighted. Even from thousands of feet above, the monstrous super yacht makes an impression. Several stories of decks piled up like stairs that rest on a massive flat surface that has at least two swimming pools along with the open decks. A helipad on one side of the yacht is ready to receive us, flashing blue blinking lights for our pilot who expertly descends and lands the helicopter on the helipad. The noise is too loud to say or question anything. All I know is that it’s time to meet the enemy. The doors of the helicopter are soon pulled open by the yacht staff. Jim and Bob are the first to get out. The uniformed staff wear a combination of black shirts striped with a gold band across one sleeve. We get out next and come down the stairs from the helipad onto the massive deck laid out like a lush lounge. White reclining leather chairs, glass tables, potted plants with exotic pink and purple flowers, a red plush rug. The whole place is a floating palace of some emperor. A special rectangular table with food already laid out in plates has been prepared for us. The yacht staff seat us in our positions, while Jim and Bob stand behind me.

“Ah, Mr. Ethan Knight you are here, and you have arrived with beautiful company.”

Emerging from inside the yacht onto the deck is a man in a cream-colored summer suit, a beautiful rose on his jacket label. He has a clean-shaven head, that gives way to a large forehead, green gleaming eyes, and a pointed nose. He immediately reminds me of one of the Medici paintings, his intensity and personal power is further accentuated by his square jaw. He could be in his early fifties though it is hard to tell with the beautiful glowing quality of his skin. The rich age well.

“Mr. Foster, I am glad we agreed to meet.” Ethan Knight is guarded.

Foster takes his place on the other end of the table. “And what is the name of this beautiful creature, Mr. Knight?”

“She is one of the reasons I am here, Mr. Foster. She is Brooke Banner. She is to be put on the immunity list.”

“So quick you are to business, eh? Or it this personal?” He glances in my direction. “Yes, as a member of the Elysian group Miss. Banner now has immunity.”

Foster laughs. “You know Miss Banner, I have known Mr. Knight, his family since he was a child. My parents know his parents. We go back what? All the way to Magna Carta?”

“I know what you did in Hawaii Mr. Foster.” Ethan Knight likes to get to the point. “Those pineapple leaves could have been used. But you had them burnt to ashes.”

“I did,” he says staring straight at Ethan Knight. “And I truly enjoyed it.”

“You will pay for that Mr. Foster. We will not forget.” His voice rises in anger. I have not seen him like this.

“You think Mr. Knight, that Elysian can just do as they please while we watch? You think you can undermine, sabotage the leather industry to promote your own, green leather initiative. Without sharing?”

“Rules are Rules Mr. Foster! It was our idea, our innovation, so we gain the profits!”

“How convenient Mr. Knight!” I detect a hint of hurt in Foster’s voice. “So, you bring these new ideas into the market, you don’t consult us, and then those of us who are selling traditional leather… we lose billions.”

Ethan Knight is not having it. “That’s business.”

Foster shakes his head in anger. “And in the process, we the traditional leather industry, get branded as destructive. No, Mr. Knight, that is not business. That is an attack!”

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