Indebted: Part Three (Series Finale): The Virgin & The Bad-Boy Billionaire (A BWWM Billionaire Romance) (7 page)

BOOK: Indebted: Part Three (Series Finale): The Virgin & The Bad-Boy Billionaire (A BWWM Billionaire Romance)
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“As many of you know, this event is very dear to my heart. Thank you all for coming out over the years to show your support. Tonight, I’m surrounded by familiar faces,” my heart whooshes in my ears.
Does he mean me?
“Many of you have been with Zervion Communications since I first took my position as CEO thirteen years ago. Because I’m surrounded by so many friends and family tonight, I would like to share my announcement with the very people who’ve stood by my side for over a decade and helped Zervion flourish. Tonight, I’m announcing my retirement from the position. I’ll be stepping down as CEO and Bradley Sheppard will be taking my place. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mr. Sheppard, let me assure you there is no man better suited for the job than him.”

 

A murmur ripples through the crowd as Bradley and Matthew shake hands. The small mob of reporters elbow each other in a petty attempt to find the best camera angle to splash on the front of their newspapers.

 

“Mr. Blackwell, what has prompted your resignation from the company?” A faceless reporter yells abruptly.

 

“I won’t be answering any questions tonight. The evenings focus should remain on the charity and the art. Within the next week, Zervion will be holding an official press conference where I will officially step down. I will say that I’ve enjoyed my time as CEO, but now I’m ready to see what other challenges life holds for me.”

 

The crowd’s murmurs grow louder with speculation as the reporters continue to blind the men with their camera flashes. Bradley and Matthew look completely unfazed by the reaction. My thoughts escape to when I first stepped off the helicopter with Matthew, in the Hamptons. I remember how sensitive my eyes were to the onslaught of bright explosions as reporters surrounded us like they’re surrounding Bradley and Matthew now. When you live such a public life, this probably becomes second nature.

 

“I’ll turn the microphone over to Mr. Sheppard now, and let him say a few words before we get back to our evening.” Matthew steps back from the podium, making Bradley the focus of the photography and the crowd.

 

“Don’t worry folks, I’ll keep this short. I would like to thank Mr. Blackwell for his service with Zervion. Let’s give him a round of applause, folks.” Soft clapping and jewelry dinging against the side of wine glasses fill the room. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be taking over a business that’s been under the Blackwell name for two generations. Mr. Blackwell, I’d like to wish you the best on your future endeavors, whatever they should be. And I would like to take this opportunity to assure the shareholders and employees of Zervion Communications that I’m ready to hit the ground running. Thank you, enjoy the auction and please, as Mr. Blackwell already said, donate generously. After all folks, it’s for a great cause.”

 

Bradley and Matthew shuffle their way through the reporters, and the crowd starts to disperse back to their corners of the room where they can no doubt gossip about the announcement.

 

“I’m going to go talk to him,” I tell Brianna.

 

“I’ll be here if you need me, good luck.”

 

I wade through the people toward the podium, but can’t see him anywhere. Panic rises in my throat.
Did he leave that quickly? Was he only here to make his retirement speech?
I feel like a bobble head doll on a dashboard with my face swiveling and bouncing around as I search the crowd for Matthew again.

 

There he is!
I spot him near the back of the room talking to a statuesque blond woman. My heart sinks as I watch her touch his arm and laugh. Her creamy, peach skin flushes as she giggles at whatever Matthew just said. I look over my shoulder to Brianna, but she’s already engaged in another conversation with Bradley.
I will not jump to conclusions. I’ve made enough impulsive decisions, now it’s time to be an adult. Even if they are together, there’s no reason I shouldn’t say hello.
My heart is racing and my throat is parched with fear as I cross the floor. My sweaty palms are clenched by my sides stiffly as I approach him.
What if he isn’t happy to see me? What if he tells me to leave? Am I making a mistake? He never answered my call, maybe he hates me.

 

Stepping in behind a large sculpture of a maple tree with a single lonely leaf dangling from a branch, I try to compose myself. I need to think. If there’s one thing I haven’t been doing enough of it’s thinking rationally. I wipe the beads of sweat forming on my brow off with the back of my hand and take a cleansing deep breath.
Ok, it’s now or never. Just go over there and say hi.
A tap on my shoulder makes me jump and swirl around like a kid caught dragging their finger across the icing on a cake.

 

“Kendra, what on earth are you doing?” Brianna hisses at me. “Please tell me you aren’t standing here eavesdropping again,” she flings her hand toward Matthew and the naturally beautiful woman he’s still talking to.

 

“No! I’m not, I swear. I just… well, I’m just trying not to chicken out.”

 

“Kendra, you can’t cower behind a statue and hope that this will somehow fix itself. Get over there and talk to him.” She’s right. Now I just need to convince my feet that she knows what she’s talking about.

 

“I’m going, ok? I just need a minute.”

 

“No more minutes. You’re going to let your whole life slip by you, one minute at a time.” She gives me a little push, and I stumble out from my hiding spot in plain view of Matthew and his guest. They both turn to me, watching with curiosity and confusion as I smooth my hands over dress and try to stand up straight. My body feels like an awkward jumble of knees and elbows as I try to appear totally calm and natural.

 

“Kendra?” Matthew tilts his head, “Uh… what are you doing here?” My skin blisters as I try to think of what to say.

 

“I, well… I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d check out the show,” I lie, my skin crawling as they both stare at me.

 

“You were in the neighborhood?” skepticism fills his voice. I blink Morse code messages at the floor to put me out of my misery and swallow me up.

 

“Well, no. That’s not entirely true.” I really wish I had thrown back a few of those glasses of wine. “Brianna told me about the show and I came here to see you,” I confess.

 

“Hi, I’m so happy to meet you,” the blond woman warmly smooths over the awkward tension filling the space between us. “I’m Tina, Matthew’s sister. So, you’re Kendra. I was hoping I’d get the chance to meet you,” she’s so easy-going. It’s like I’ve known her for years.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tina.”

 

“I should be thanking you,” she looks over at Brianna, “oh my, I’m sorry. How rude of me. I didn’t catch your name.”

 

“Hi, I’m Kendra’s friend, Brianna.” I can tell that she already feels as comfortable in Tina’s presence as I do. Her zen-like calm helps carry my nerves away, giving me the courage to look at Matthew. It’s impossible to tell if he’s happy to see me, or not. He’s holding his emotions close to his chest.

 

“As I was saying, I should thank you, Kendra.” Tina continues, drawing my attention away from her brother. “You’re the one who seemed to have helped my brother here grow a soul, didn’t she?” her eyes sparkle as she teases her brother.

 

“Well, doesn’t this look like a cozy little reunion?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and the peace that I was just feeling is wicked away as Marjorie’s voice interrupts our conversation like a jackhammer.

 

“Hello, Marjorie.” Tina’s voice runs with ice. I’m happy to see that she seems to feel the same way about her that I do. Marjorie is unaffected, clearly reveling in people’s disgust as much as she does their admiration. Taking a dramatic sip of her red wine, she looks down the stem of her glass at Brianna and me.

 

“Kendra, I’m surprised to see you here tonight. I can’t imagine you’re much of an art connoisseur.” Her eyes flit down over my dress. Brianna’s muscles tense under her cold gaze.

 

“Marjorie, please just leave us alone.” Matthew interrupts, but instead of his usual commanding tone, he just sounds worn out.

 

“Don’t worry, Mattie, I’m not interested in spending my time with you people anyway. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m here with my date.” She motions vaguely over her shoulder to the crowd.

 

“Good for you,” Matthew answers.

 

“Unlike you, Mattie, I have better uses for my time than to waste it on human charity cases like these two,” she tilts her head toward Brianna and I. Marjorie lifts her glass, taking another sip of her wine. In less than a second, Brianna leans in and brushes her fingers against the flat bottom of the glass stem pushing it toward Marjorie’s face. I watch with a mixture of horror and fascination as Marjorie’s eyes widen, and she struggles to pull the glass away from her face. Instead, she only manages to swish the remaining red wine causing it to gush down over her nose and pour down over her chin like a crimson waterfall, all over her pristine white gown.

 

“Ahhh, what the fuck! You stupid bitch!” Marjorie’s cool demeanor cracks as a burgundy stain billows out through the fibers of her dress. Mumbling punctuated with gasps and laughter starts to rumble around us as people start to stare. Marjorie sputters as her eyes flash with rage.

 


Oh noooo
, I’m
so
sorry about that,” Brianna’s apology drips with sarcasm. I’m not sure that Marjorie isn’t about to shove her empty wine glass into Brianna’s gut.

 

“We should probably get going anyway,” Matthew laughs. “You have a lovely date, Marj.”

 

Matthew places his hand on the small of my back, leading me toward the exit as his sister and Brianna follow closely behind us tittering. Before we’re more than five steps away, I turn over my shoulder and look back at Marjorie, covered in a stain that’s spreading like an oil slick in the ocean. “See ya around,
Maggie
.”

 

Chapter Five

 

“Did you see her face!” Tina clutches her sides laughing as we walk down 89th street together. “I knew I liked you,” she smiles at Brianna.

 

“Someone had to shut her up. I figured that was the quickest way to wipe that smirk off her face,” Brianna explains, looking very proud of herself. Normally her temper isn’t something that I try to encourage, but tonight I couldn’t be happier for her quick fuse.

 

“Thanks, Brianna,” I give her arm a quick squeeze of appreciation, smiling up at her. She flicks her eyes over to Matthew, redirecting my attention to the real reason we went through all of this tonight.

 

“Don’t mention it, Kendra.” She stops in her tracks, and we all pause as she looks up and down the streets. “I don’t want to cut out on you, but I really need to get going. I should get a cab,” Brianna continues searching for a taxi.

 

“You know, I think I should get going too, Matthew.” Tina pipes in, clearly picking up on Brianna’s lead. “We could split a taxi if you’re heading my way?” She offers Brianna.

 

“Nonsense, neither of you is taking a cab. I’ll call for a car,” Matthew insists.

 

After realizing that it’ll be easier to have Brianna and Tina share a car and Matthew and I ride in another, we all wait in awkward silence.

 

“So, you’re leaving your company?” Brianna interrupts our quiet thoughts.

 

“No, not exactly. I’ll still be a shareholder, but I won’t be making anymore executive decisions. I’ve decided that I’ve put off other priorities for long enough.” Matthew still hasn’t looked at me since we left the gallery. I’m starting to get the sense that he isn’t as happy to see me as I had hoped he would be.

 

“Matthew is looking into enrolling in university,” Tina tells us, her eyes sparkling with pride. “I never thought filling Dad’s shoes at the business was a good fit for him anyway. I think you’re doing the right thing,” she touches his hand reassuringly. “And don’t worry about Mom, you know she’ll come around. She always does eventually,” her smile is so inviting. It feels like a warm cup of soup on a cool autumn day.

 

Two, identical black town cars pull up to the curb ten feet away, and we make our way over, figuring out who is getting in what car. Brianna hops into the backseat right away, but Tina stands by the open door and gives her brother a hug before getting in.

BOOK: Indebted: Part Three (Series Finale): The Virgin & The Bad-Boy Billionaire (A BWWM Billionaire Romance)
10.17Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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