Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Asher

Harper looks like she wants to rip my eyes out.

I know I pulled another asshole move by being outright rude to her and spoiling the good rapport we had going. But what I said needed to be said.

I never met Nick but Josh told me enough about him from before the guy even went rogue.

I understood that Josh would be worried because he’s Harper’s brother but there never seemed to be anything likable about Nick from the beginning. The first thing I thought about him was that he was shady as fuck with his contacts in the music world and the underground. I turned out to be right.

Surprisingly, that was the one time I desperately wanted to be wrong.

Someone needs to set Harper straight so she doesn’t end up with the same kind of fucked-up loser jerk ever again.

As I can’t imagine Beth or Josh having that serious down-to-earth talk with Harper, that someone needs to be me. Even if she's glaring at me like she hates me.

“Don’t worry. If I want to hook up with a hoodlum I definitely won’t do it here,” Harper sneers. “There are plenty of hotels around. Or to save expenses I’ll just do it in a club or get fucked against some wall in a back alley. Those are always free.”

The vein in my head pulses, feeling like it’s going to pop.

And so does my dick when the vivid image of her naked body drifts into my head like alluring smoke. Then the very vivid image of her being taken against the wall of some dark alley follows next, infuriating me even more.

I'm not supposed to be imagining her with some guy. And judging from the instant reaction from my dick, I’m still annoyingly attracted to her and interested in her in all the wrong ways.

It was bad enough when I gave her the shrimp and imagined her plump lips sliding up and down my cock. Then she made things worse when she reminded me she wasn’t a child anymore.

Of all the people she knows in her world, I’m the only one who doesn’t need that reminder.

I can see she’s not a fucking child just by looking at her in that flimsy off-the-shoulder jumper that draws all my attention to her round breasts and the tight yoga pants that fit her body like a second skin.

Fuck. This whole off-limits thing is messing with me already. Nothing has ever been off limits to me except her. I’m a man who always get whatever and whoever I want. But not her.

So, back to plan A.

I meet her vicious gaze and harden my own so she knows I’m serious as fuck. “Clearly, you've learned nothing if you can say that to me.”

“What do you mean by that? That I’ve learned nothing?”

“You know what I mean. And obviously you're not gonna find anybody good if you're planning to hook up with a random guy in a club or some fucking back alley. Surely you have better sense than that.”

Harper stands and I almost expect her to slap me. She's close enough and ballsy enough to do it.

“You are so fucking out of line.” She sets her hands on her hips and stares at me with blazing eyes that almost look feral. “How could you sit there like you’re some kind of saint? As if you've never hooked up in a club or a back alley .”

I hold my tongue, remembering the scandal that broke only last week. Harper would have a field day with that. I’m not going to act like a saint or lie, because there’s a chance she could still find details floating around on the net.

“We're not talking about me.” I clench my jaw and my fist at the same time. “We're talking about you.”

“You're treating me like I'm an idiot. Like what happened to me with Nick was my fault.” That’s the first time she’s said Nick’s name to me and she actually looks drained for hearing it outside her head.

“I didn’t say that.” I tone my voice down on seeing the shift in her mood.

“You don’t need to. Before you say anything more try to remember it's not always easy to walk away from someone you love. Nick wasn't always a monster.”

Her jade eyes glaze with tears and the sight grips my insides.

Instantly I feel like shit for making her remember what Nick did to her.

I know everything . If he weren't in prison I’d find him and kill him. I mean that.

I don’t think she’s an idiot. I’m just being protective. Sure, I know I’m being overprotective but I don’t want her in any danger. How the fuck do I explain that without sounding like an asshole?

“Harper—”

“Don't. Don't talk to me, Asher. You are such a fucking asshole. So don't talk to me.”

With her hands balled at her sides she walks away, leaving a cloud of tension filling the room.

Damn it . This is the second conversation we've had this week and both have ended with her storming away from me.

What the hell am I going to do if I can’t talk to Harper without us ending up at each other’s throats?

Olga walks back into the living room with a pensive expression. I know she heard everything. The whole house would have heard us.

“Is everything okay?” she asks.

“Yes. It's fine.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

I shake my head. Olga is great because she keeps things professional. That's why I hired her. At the same time I know there's a side of her that cares. That’s come from our eight years of working together. But she'll only push as far as I allow.

“There's some stuff I have to figure out when it comes to my little house guest.

“I see. Well, if you need me for anything let me know.”

“Sure.”

With that Olga leaves me to my thoughts.

No one can help me with Harper. This is all on me.

Harper is going to be with me for the next… however long. And that’s just the thing. I don’t know.

Earlier I realized there was a very real possibility that she might not get campus housing for a while, if at all.

College starts in seven weeks. Most people would have applied for housing well in advance. Harper's transfer was short notice. That means I'm stuck with her and stuck with whatever is going on inside me when it comes to her.

I haven’t even told my father about her staying here. It’s fine for now but there’ll come a point when things will go to hell.

If they haven’t already.

Harper avoids me the next day.

It's one of the rare Sundays that I'm home. I originally hoped to spend the day with her, but she’s acting like a ghost living in my house.

The only signs of life that come from her are the occasional shuffle in the kitchen, the tap of the keys on her laptop that I hear when I stand outside her door contemplating whether I should check on her, and then I hear her playing her violin later in the night.

I placed her on the other side of the house because I knew she’d need to practice. I didn’t want her feeling cautious about making noise.

Even if the whole house could hear her it would be fine. Harper is one of the most talented violinists I’ve ever heard. My parents are obsessed with classical music so we were always going to the opera and theater for one event or another.

They loved violin music in particular. That’s how I know Harper is talented. I’ve listened to some of the finest violinists the world has ever seen.

Harper has been playing since she was five. Thankfully those memories stayed with her after the accident. But she still had to spend a year relearning skills she’d developed in the years in between that she can’t remember.

As I listen to one of her signature pieces the notes soothe me. I want to go in and talk to her but I hold off.

I know her. The best way to deal with her silent treatment is to ride it out until she needs me. If that doesn’t work I’ll find a way to make her talk to me.

She stays in my mind all night and as I head out to work early the next morning.

Monday morning meetings can be a bitch at best. But a Monday morning meeting with my father, Hunter, Nigel, and Nolan is not the kind of meeting I want to have with my head all over the place.

I've known about this meeting since last week but I still feel as worked up as when I first found out Nigel and Nolan would be in the building today.

However, when I arrive at Le Blanche Global, I put my game face on then head to the boardroom where they’re already waiting for me.

I’m not late. They’re just early.

Father sits at the head of the sleek, glass conference table as usual, but I notice Nigel and Nolan have strategically placed themselves on my father’s left.

Nolan is in my seat. Father always has Hunter and me on either side of him. That’s okay. I’ll let that slide.

“Morning, all,” I say only for my father’s sake. I’ve realized that he’s the one I need to keep things sweet with.

I don’t have to worry about Hunter because he’ll always be on my side. As for the other two, I don’t care. Nigel and Nolan can fuck themselves.

“Morning, son,” Father replies, seeming more like his usual self even though I detect a hint of reservation in his tone.

Nigel and Nolan nod at me. The two— and Portia —remind me of the Lannisters in Game of Thrones . Both father and son are as twisted as the TV show characters and even have a similar appearance with their light blond hair and lean build.

I look away from them and move to sit next to Hunter, who seems pleased with my pleasantries. He knows I’m just playing the game.

Layla rushes through the door after me. She’s taking the minutes for the meeting.

“Morning, everyone. I hope I’m not late.” She beams, cutting me a glance to which I shake my head.

“Not at all, dear. Take a seat.” Father points to the chair next to Nolan.

He’s fond of her because she can multitask with pretty much everything. I also think he considered her as an option for me right up until she started dating the son of one of his top clients and we all saw how well suited they were.

Her freshly-cut dark bob bounces as she makes her way over to sit with her little notepad. Unfortunately, the moment she sits Nolan's eyes move straight to her tits.

Layla is not a woman you mess with, so she spots his ass straight away then checks him with a tight-lipped smile that says I’ll rip your face off if you look at me again.

The fool gets the message and looks away but then he focuses back on me.

That’s fine, too. We can do this silent war dance all he wants. Let him think he has me where he wants me in my own company.

What he doesn’t realize is that people like me observe, then plan for those who think they can fuck with them, and obliterate everything in their path.

“Okay, now that we’re all present let’s start,” Father says and all eyes go to him. “The transfer of ownership of Vivitron was finalized this morning. I’m proud to say that Le Blanche Global now owns Vivitron as intended by my dear friend Archie Blackstone. We are always expanding but owning Vivitron carries substantial weight because of the success it already enjoys. With that said we need to talk about logistics and who will be responsible for what.”

“Are we bringing them into our development pipeline or keeping them separate?” Hunter asks.

“We need to integrate them. But within a timeframe that allows all of us to get used to the new changes. We need their talent and I don’t want to change too much about their processes, but they need to adapt to our culture. That's why I think Asher would be best placed working with Nolan. You both have the financial analytical skills to make sure everything runs smoothly with no hiccups.”

I want to remind him that I don’t need Nolan for anything because I’ve managed larger projects all on my own but I hold back and dip my head in agreement.

“I’m sure we can work together. Can’t we, Nolan?” I level him a hard stare.

“Certainly.” He smiles back but I see straight through his fakeness.

“Wonderful. I think we should spend the rest of the meeting discussing the implementation plans.”

I half listen for the rest of the meeting, my mind splitting between what my father is saying and my own plans.

The only thing I can do right now is watch Nolan. If shit is going to happen it will start with him. Nigel is too careful to slip up. He also has more years on him to have perfected the art of manipulation.

That said, he doesn’t have to do much when it comes to my father. They grew up together so my father has that extra layer of trust he wouldn’t show any old person.

The meeting ends after two hours and my father closes it on a positive note.

He and Nigel head out first but Nolan hangs back, looking like he wants to speak to me.

“A quick word, Asher,” he says, keeping his hawk eyes fixed on me as I stand.

“Sure.”

Hunter and Layla stand together by the head of the table and watch us. Nolan appears to want to speak in private but I stay right where I am.

Whatever he has to say to me can be said in front of Hunter and Layla. I’m not allowing him the chance to piss with me then lie about it later.

“What’s up?” I give him a crude smile.

“I understand you have a problem with me.”

“The way I heard it it’s you who has the problem with me.”

“Who did you hear that from?”

Clever answer but very stupid. “I saw something with my own eyes.”

“I can assure you that whatever you saw wasn’t done with any ill will toward you.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“I’m looking forward to working together. This is a big break for my family’s company. I wouldn’t like any disagreements between us to mess it up.”

“Let’s cut the shit, Nolan. I know you were behind the scandal.”

“What makes you say?—”

“Don’t do that.” My voice is a notch lower than a shout.

That shuts him up. He knows I wouldn’t call him out on something like that if I didn’t have evidence. His problem is he doesn’t know what I have. At the same fucking time the asshole also knows that I don’t have anything solid to prove the extent of his guilt, or his ass wouldn’t be allowed in the building.

I lean forward, aware that Hunter is giving me one of his warning stares. He’s worried I’m going to snap and go for Nolan’s jugular.

“We can work together just fine and life will be good for your family’s company and mine. But don’t fuck with me.”

Nolan grins as if I just told a joke. “I think you fuck with yourself enough, don’t you? There’s no way I would screw around with women the way you do and tarnish my family name.”

“Hey,” Hunter cuts in.

“It’s okay, Hunter.” I give him a brief glance then look back at Nolan. “Perhaps you should worry about yourself instead of me, Nolan . I would if I were you.”

“And I will.”

“Good. It looks like Nolan and I have an understanding now. So in future, if he thinks it’s a good idea to hire people to watch me again, he knows I’ll fuck him up.”

I didn’t come here to play nice today. I came to play smart and Nolan landed in my trap by wanting to speak to me. What an idiot. If I were him I would have laid low. Not confronted the beast when he’s all fired up.

Now he can run home to his mommy and daddy and tell them what I said.

“Let’s meet during the week and discuss the next steps,” he says, ignoring my threat.

“Of course. Either Layla or I will be in touch.”

“Wonderful.” With a stiff smile he walks out, trying to keep his head up.

I don’t know what the hell he thought I was going to say to him but I can tell the conversation didn’t go as he expected.

People make the mistake of thinking that I’m passive because Hunter usually takes the lead, but that’s one mistake Nolan will never make again.

“Asher, you need to be more careful.” Hunter speaks in a low warning tone.

“Are you kidding, Hunter?” Layla cuts in. “That guy is a major asshole.”

“I agree but he’s also manipulative and conniving. So we all need to be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I will be.” I glance back at the door, wondering what Nolan will come up with next.

I can still see him through the glass door, walking down the corridor. Just before he reaches the end Portia and Nigel emerge from one of the rooms with my father.

My skin crawls at the sight of Portia. She’s got the same light blonde hair as her father and brother and looks like the female version of them.

“I have to go to my next meeting.” Hunter comes up to me and follows my gaze. “Please don’t get in any trouble.”

“Like I said, don’t worry about me.”

Hunter sighs and heads out.

I look back at Layla as she gathers up her notebook and pen.

She walks up to me and gives me a concerned stare. “I’ve never seen you get so worked up before.”

“Nolan really gets under my skin. Now more than ever.”

“I don’t trust him at all, so I understand.” It was Layla who first suspected that my publicist had gone rogue. “That meeting your father is heading into is about Nolan and Nigel getting on the board.”

I grit my teeth. “I don’t know what I can do to stop that from happening.”

“Nothing, apparently. At least not right now. You need to worry about yourself, Mister. Things just got worse. We have brand-new Monday morning problems to deal with.”

“God, what now?” I bring a hand to my head and stare back at her.

“You need a new publicist or someone who can manage the PR diary. There is a backlog of people and organizations wanting to meet with you. I’ve tried to fit most of them in as best as possible but it’s cutting into my work time. You’re gonna need someone soon.”

“Damn it.”

“Maybe I can get a temp in. Or two . Truthfully you need do two people. One on a full-time contract and an assistant. I can do all the training for both positions.” She smiles, seeming to like the idea of using her skills. Apart from yoga, her background is PR and business management. She just enjoys the business side of things more.

“We can get two people, but I don’t want a temp for either of those positions. We need to hold interviews as quickly as possible. I need people I can trust.”

“You’re right. Nolan may pull the same stunt again or do some other shit despite your warning.”

“Exactly, so I need someone here who can’t be swayed. Tell everyone waiting on me that I’m booked out for a month. I need to prioritize the most important things.”

“Which is your dates with the potentials?”

“Yeah.” Thank goodness I can be real with her and that she can be discreet. The papers would have another field day with this story. I can see it now.

Billionaire heir seeks wife to secure position in company.

“All the women have signed new NDAs and I’ve made arrangements for you to meet them by Saturday. Starting tonight at six.”

“Thanks. That’s perfect timing.” And in line with my plans. Hopefully I’ll be able to pick a couple of options by Saturday.

Layla’s eyes light up with the spark of an idea. “I think you’ll love my friend Alexis. She’s your final date on Sunday. Let’s just say I saved the best for last.”

“Well, if you think she’s the best then that’s a good sign. Why am I not meeting her first?” I give her a narrowed stare.

“She’s in Bali teaching yoga on a retreat. I met her through Zack. He introduced her to me after our first date. She’s super fun and beautiful.”

“She sounds great.”

“She is. Zack has known her since they were kids. He knew I would like her because I’m obsessed with yoga. And I knew you’d like her because she seems to be your type.”

My type.

Right now I’m not even sure what my type is but I smile back at her just to be polite. Like everyone else, she’s just helping me.

I already know I won’t like anybody on that list any more now than I did when I first looked at it.

Meeting these women is just a matter of dotting my i’s and crossing my t’s.