Chapter 50
A Price For Everything
Damien
The room felt empty after Elena left, but my mind couldn't have been any more filled with thoughts. I'd reassured her of her safety, hers and Lily's and I planned to keep my word.
I silently waited, staring into space as my mind moved quickly between multiple things. Priest had taken them home personally, he'd also arranged for men to watch over them. I didn't have any doubts that he'd do a good job.
Soon the sound of footsteps filled the air and Priest appeared at the door, his huge body filled the entire door frame.
"Is it done?" I asked, not looking up from my position.
"Yes," Priest nodded gruffly, stepping past the door. "I've arranged the men, they'll watch her at all times and will split up whenever she drops the kid at school."
"Good," I nodded in satisfaction. "If any other person is found trailing her, make sure you find out who's behind it," my eyes narrowed dangerously and Priest nodded without emotion.
Till now I couldn't place a finger on the reason someone would be so interested in Elena, I doubted it'd be Albert. If it was him, he'd have simply taken her away without ceremony. He was her father after all.
"Let's go," I got to my feet and pulled on my suit jacket, it was already late by the time we walked out of the restaurant. Priest had booked out the entire restaurant, I didn't want any disturbance.
I'd just slipped behind the wheel when my cell phone buzzed. I frowned, my expression becoming serious when I saw the name flashing on the screen.
Jane.
Why could she be calling me? The thought crossed my mind and I picked up immediately. "Hello?"
"It's been a while Lucas," Jane chuckled, her warm voice echoed in my ears.
"Indeed," I cracked a faint smile but my guard was still up, Jane rarely called and when she did, there usually was a reason.
Indeed…
After we exchanged pleasantries Jane went straight to the point. "I want to see you, Lucas," she began, "it's important."
I hesitated, glancing at my watch. The time read nine-fifteen PM, Priest had taken about two hours to arrange everything for Elena after taking her home.
"Where should we meet?" I finally asked, since this meeting was bound to happen sooner or later I'd rather have it now.
"Where else?" Jane chuckled. "I'll be at the manor," she said, and the line went dead.
I didn't say a word and I put the car in drive, Priest remained silent like stone, not saying anything.
Jane's manor was a huge estate that sat on several acres of land on the outskirts of town; she'd retired to the manor after I'd taken over the affairs of the company.
The guards were familiar with me so we weren't stopped, I drove unimpeded into the estate. My eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of two other cars that were parked in the driveway, so it would seem that this meeting didn't involve Jane alone.
"Welcome Mr. Lucas, Madame Jane is expecting you," a butler came out to welcome us and he ushered us inside. Priest was led away by a maid who walked up to us. "Madame Jane and the others are already waiting," the butler explained.
"Who's in there?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. I could tell that Jane calling me over had something to do with the guests she was entertaining.
"I can't say," the butler shook his head, his words disappointing me. I nodded, falling silent as I followed behind him. He led me down a corridor and into an office, he closed the door behind me.
"Damien," Jane looked up with a smile from the paperwork on her desk, "So glad you could make it."
I nodded, stepping forward and I picked her on her cheek. Jane was a tall woman with an elegant mane of grey hair, despite the wrinkles in her skin she still maintained an elegant look.
I poured myself a glass of wine and took a seat, making myself comfortable. "What's going on?" I asked, sipping the wine.
"Well," Jane kept her pen aside. "People have heard whispers of your upcoming project and some are starting to get nervous."
'Project?' my eyes narrowed into thin slits as I weighed her words, I wasn't surprised that Jane knew about Project Houston, it was her company and it wasn't surprising she'd kept tabs on it.
"So…" I straightened my thoughts before speaking. "What do they want?"
"This," Jane smiled, "You'll need to hear for yourself. She's offered very tempting terms but I'm leaving the decision in your hands, Lucas, I trust your judgment."
She? My eyes narrowed and I silently wondered who it could be. Jane got up and I followed suit, following her into an adjacent office where a group of three people were waiting.
Her? My eyes widened as I stared at the only woman in the group, she sat elegantly with poise and had a completely different aura from what I could remember.
I knew this lady, my breaths shortened a little at the memory of me and her when we'd been together.
Sophia.
How? My eyes filled with shock as I silently wondered what she was doing here. The model who'd thrown herself at me months ago suddenly appeared here, but I couldn't be mistaken, it was her.
"This is…" Taking no notice of my surprise, Jane proceeded to introduce the group. "And this is Sophia Beetle," she finally said, stopping at Sophia.
"Long time no see, Mr. Lucas," Sophia smiled, her eyes held an unknown emotion as she stared calmly at me.
Despite myself, I felt my eyes sneak a glance at her cleavage and back to her eyes, when she smiled I felt embarrassed, she'd caught me staring.
"Hello," I shook their hands before I took a step back and took a seat.
Sophie didn't linger on the pleasantries and she went straight to the point, she was representing a few companies who'd gotten wind of Project Houston.
"I'll be direct Mr. Lucas," Sophie's smile sent jitters into me. "We aren't sure how badly this could affect us in the market but we're sure it's entirely within your control."
I frowned, not saying anything. Elena's proposal for Project Houston was brilliant, she'd already noted the upsides and downsides for all our competitors in the market. It was up to us to pick allies who'd stand to gain when it went on the market.
Sophie was clearly looking to get on our good side. Jane sat by the side, leisurely sipping from her glass. She'd made her attitude clear, she would remain out of this, leaving the decision in my hands.
It both delighted me and pressured me. I remained silent for a moment before I spoke, "How do you intend to deal?" I asked, glancing at the other men.
First rule of business, never make the first bid, especially when you're at an advantage.
To my surprise Sophia didn't even turn to communicate with them, and they didn't say a word, clearly her words could represent theirs.
Sophia smiled, her eyes held a look only both of us could understand and I felt a heat flash into my belly.
"Name your price, Mr. Lucas," Sophia's gaze held mine, and many unspoken words passed between us in that moment.