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Emily tilts her head to the side, and her thick, silky brown hair falls slightly over her shoulder. It catches the light, and for a second, I’m distracted. That annoys me. This isn’t supposed to be about attraction or anything personal, but damn it, there’s no denying she’s an attractive woman.
Her eyes are searching mine, trying to find something in me, but I stay composed. I’m good at that.
“Why did you join the military? And why did you leave?” The question takes me aback, a change of direction from where the conversation was going.
I shift slightly in my seat, my gaze still fixed on her. Of course, she’d ask. I almost expect it. “Like I said before, military service runs in the family, apart from my father. My grandfather served, as did his father before him.”
Not the entire truth but it’s enough for Emily’s purposes.
Her eyes stay on mine, quiet but curious, encouraging me to keep going without even having to say anything.
“As for why I left,” I pause. “Let’s just say it wasn’t by choice. I was medically discharged after an injury.”
The words come out clipped, discouraging further questions. I don’t want to elaborate. I don’t need to. She doesn’t need to know the details—that’s not part of the deal we’re making.
Emily nods again, her expression thoughtful. “I see.”
There’s a moment of quiet, then I shift the conversation back to what really matters. “All the legal documentation is done,” I tell her. “As soon as we’re married, the capital will be injected into Riviera, and 50% ownership will transfer to me. You’ll have the funding to start the renovations immediately.”
Emily’s eyes light up at that, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She cares about the business, about the future of the hotels. It’s everything she’s been fighting for, and it shows.
I like that about her—she’s not doing this just for show or convenience. She’s in it because she cares about saving her father’s legacy.
“We’ll bring Riviera back to standard,” I continue, leaning forward. “But I’ll need an office here. I plan to work closely with you for the first six months, at least, to make sure the changes are implemented smoothly.”
Her eyebrows raise slightly, but she’s smiling. “Aren’t you needed at BDG?”
“I’ll split my time,” I tell her. “I want to be hands-on. If we’re going to turn this around, I need to understand the day-to-day operations. The weaknesses, the strengths.”
“That’s actually great,” Emily says, looking genuinely pleased. “I didn’t expect you to be so involved.”
“I’m not Daniel,” I say, a little more sharply than intended. Her face shifts, and I soften my tone. “I take this seriously, Emily. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right. I want the hotels running smoothly, and I want our investment to succeed.”
She nods, a bit taken aback, but I can tell she appreciates the seriousness of my tone. Her smile returns, and for the first time, I think we’re on the same page—aligned, at least when it comes to business.
“This is everything I’ve wanted for the hotels,” she says quietly, almost to herself. “The repairs, the marketing strategy, stabilizing the staff. It’s everything.”
There’s relief in her eyes.
Her eyes meet mine again, and there’s something unspoken between us—a moment of understanding, maybe even respect.
This is my chance to prove I can take control, turn something around. Prove to myself, and my family, that I can do more than follow orders.
“I’ll do it,” Emily says, with a huge grin on her face.
For a moment, I almost can’t believe she’s said yes. Then, relief washes over me, a genuine smile pulling at the corners of my mouth. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Fuck yes. She said yes.
But I can’t linger in the satisfaction for long. I reach down to my briefcase and pull out the folder I had prepared ahead of time. I slide it across her desk toward her, knowing this is the next necessary step.
Emily’s smile falters. She glances down at the papers, her brow furrowing slightly. Then she realizes what it is.
The contract.
Annoyance flickers across her face. Bringing the contract with me was a risk I had to take. The military taught me preparation. My father taught me to seal the deal. Fast.
Her lips press into a thin line, her eyes flicking up to meet mine, irritation simmering behind them. She doesn’t need to say it, but I can feel it—arrogant bastard. I can bet my last dollar that’s what she’s thinking.
But I don’t flinch.