TO BITE WITH LOVE

THE MEETING

CHAPTER #13

“THE MEETING”

ALEXI’S POV:

After I had been able to get Dimitri sobered up, Sunday I spent researching ways to protect my little mate. I had done nothing but think of her beautiful face, her scent, her exquisite body, her touch. I was lost without her, my brain was having trouble focusing knowing that I had left her behind and that she would never recognize me again, that we would never again share another night. My heart felt heavy, and really, my only alternative would be to kill Karl, and I was simply not at a point where I could kill my own friend.

And kill him for what? For a threat I had never heard, a threat that was relayed though a very intoxicated vampire. I still could only imagine how much liqueur that boy had consumed to make a supernatural as drunk as he had been. But one thing was for sure, he was legitimately afraid and that startled me, causing great unease. Dimitri was not easily shaken.

However today, I had business to attend to. I needed to put Jade out of my mind so I could close the acquisition I had been working on so diligently. It needed to be all business. I heard a knock on my bedroom door, and knew it was Dimitri. My idiotic playboy friend was also my attorney and quite brilliant securing us many lucrative deals throughout the years together.

“Yes.”

“Are you ready to close this deal?” Dimitri asked as he peered into the room. I nodded as I secured the clasp on my Rolex, the final touch to my black Armani suit. My raven hair was lightly gelled back, and I had finally shaved off that pesky five-o’clock shadow. I looked like a business tycoon, and that was exactly what I was. Dimitri and I had accumulated billions of dollars, acquired multiple companies, and had nearly monopolized the shipping and transportation industry.

We drove to the industrial area of Miami Beach, where industry and wealth collided. I leaned back in my seat as we arrived at a small office building, simple, only two stories tall, sitting less than 50 feet from the water. I took a deep breath, not wanting to move. I was pining for my mate. I was having a difficult time concentrating and would do anything to feel her body against mine once more. I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly as Dimitri put the black Bentley in park.

“Snap out of it.” My best friend scolded me. I curled my lip at him dangerously before I opened my car door and slammed it closed irritably.

“If you only knew what this feels like.” I growled. Dimitri got out of the car as well and raised his brows at me, raised his hands in a surrender manner.

“Look, all I know is I need you to focus. Let’s close this deal and you can kill me after, alright?” Dimitri said as he cautiously walked around the front of the car and to my side. After a moment, I dropped my shoulders and half-heartedly followed behind him.

“You just don’t get it; she is all I think about. I can’t concentrate, it feels like a piece of me is missing.” I followed my friend and attorney into the front foyer of the office and as I reached the receptionists desk, I caught that wildly distinctive Madagascar cinnamon scent and raised my head, frantically trying to peer around Dimitri.

“We are here for the 8am meeting with Ms. Colón and her attorney.” Dimitri announced as proceeded to the desk, however I gently shoved my friend to the side, searching for the intoxicating scent. I immediately froze in my tracks, it was Jade, my little mate, clear as day, her head down, concentrating on things other than us.

“f**k me.” I whispered, finding myself wanting to run away and run into her arms all at the same moment, and knowing I was clearly unable to do either. I reached forward and grabbed Dimitri’s elbow and pulled him back to my side. “What in the hell is this.” I growled as quietly as I dared, not wanting Jade to hear me. Dimitri’s jaw dropped open when he realized what I was looking at and began stuttering, grasping for words.

“I, I, I, don’t know.” At that moment, my beloved raised her head, and her rich mocha eyes met us warmly.

“I am assuming you are here for the closing?” Her voice was sweet and gentle as she went over the pair of us carefully. I was searching for a hint of recognition, however she gave none and part of me was thrilled, while the other part of me was mourning.

“Indeed. To meet with Ms. Colón, her realtor, and her attorney.” Dimitri greeted professionally, straightened his shoulders as he carefully pulled away from my grip on his elbow. The young beauty raised her espresso eyebrow inquisitively, and as she gathered a stack of papers from the desk she turned and glanced back at me once more, with an alarming hint of reckoning. Our eyes met, and I could sense her curiosity, she recognized me, but I could tell from her face she was frantically trying to decipher from were. Her memories were blocked, but not her recognition. It was Jade who broke our stare and turned away from us coldly.

“This way.” She snapped gruffly as she walked quickly away from us.

“What are the odds your little conquest would be the secretary to Colón Industries. Talk about sick.” The blonde beside me elbowed me playfully in the rib cage and as his words escaped and he began moving forward, I had the insatiable urge to leave, run away, get out of Miami, and never return, but alas, that was not realistic. I drooped my head defeatedly and followed behind.

We were escorted into a small glass conference room, where I recognized the other attorney, George Rubio. An older man that was well liked and respected as far as attorneys went, and then the realtor, Joan Simmons, an older blonde woman, highly respected and exceptionally wealthy. I had worked with these individuals’ multiple times before and we had the highest respect for each other. Jade stood beside the doorway and watched Dimitri and I as we took our seats at the glass conference table in the black leather office chairs surrounding the rectangle table.

I leaned forward and clasped both hands in front of myself upon the table and frowned as I surveyed the room. I glanced down at my Rolex and noted that it was 8:15am. I was already annoyed as the owner’s daughter chose to keep us waiting. George and Joan smiled cordially and nodded, and I glanced back over at the young woman walking back towards the door and coming into the conference room.

“Ms. Colón could have been prompt. I don’t like waiting to conclude a deal.” I noticed the immediate discomfort of the realtor and the attorney when I heard my beloved’s voice ring out.

“I don’t care to wait either, hence why I was here at half past 7.” Her tone was rather scolding and quite authoritative, which surprised me, and I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows and a pleased smile flickered upon my face.

“Well.” I chuckled warm heartedly, however I did not receive the same coy reciprocation, instead, I received a cold glare, her once warm espresso eyes burned through me. And despite her beautiful and doll like appearance, I suddenly realized what I was dealing with, a cold vicious businesswoman. Upon seeing her cold glare, I paused and surrendered my smile. Jade stared coldly at me for a moment before turning and closing the glass door to the conference room. She turned again, and walked confidently over to the table and took her seat at the head of the table. I felt the bond pulling at me, she was becoming even more irresistible to me than she had before. Damn this woman. I felt Dimitri jab me from under the table.

“Aleksander Antonova is it not? I am Jade Colón, I am the soon to be former owner of Colón Industries.” Her introduction was frigid, and honestly, I preferred her softer side. There was a great deal of unease throughout the room, and after a moment, I cleared my throat.

“My apologies Ms. Colón.” However, despite my apology, she still refused to soften her gaze.

“No need Mr. Antonova, I respect promptness, as well as a healthy bluntness.” She folded her hands gently in her lap and nodded towards Mr. Rubio.

“Shall we get this over with.”

Our business was simple, very cut, and dried. Both the realtor and the attorneys had streamlined everything so the only thing we needed to sign was a handful of documents. Once everything was completed, everyone shook hands, smiled, and laughed, all but Jade. Her mannerism was unnerving to me, I could sense her pain, her loss, and how heavy this decision had been on her. She excused herself quickly, and vacated the room, refusing to shake anyone’s hands and she extended the most formal goodbye I had ever heard.

“I have a few things to gather out of my office. Good day.” She spouted as she fled the conference room. I stood, my bond pleading me to go after her, but it was Dimitri that quickly grabbed my elbow.

“Good day miss.” He offered behind her, tugging at my suit with discretion. “You can’t.” he whispered to me, and I felt my heart being crushed by his words.

“What a fabulous morning. I do believe Mimosa’s are in order for a breakfast celebration. My treat.” Joan called to everyone as she stood and straightened her black pleated skirt.

“Here here.” Rubio called after her, however paused and glanced over at us.

“Come along gents, it’s a celebration. Acquisitions of this magnitude for this price do not come along every day. It has been a great success.” His voice was gay and gleeful, enticing us to accompany them to the bar. Dimitri nodded.

“Yes, we will be following momentarily.” He advised, and satisfied, the realtor and attorney departed together, and once they were gone, Dimitri turned to me, still grasping my elbow tightly.

“You can’t, you must leave that girl alone. If you go to her, we will all be in grave danger, her especially. Leave it alone.” His voice was firm, a tone he rarely ever took with me. I couldn’t help but frown. I needed to go to her, even if it was only for a moment.

“I have a couple of questions only she can answer about the company. I can join you shortly, but trust me, I need to speak with her.” I alluded to my boss’s tone, yet I could see the hesitation in Dimitri leaving me. I lowered my shoulders and sighed and grabbed both of my oldest friend’s shoulders firmly.

“I will be fine. Stop worrying. I haven’t lived this long by being stupid.” I knew that my attempts to assure my friend were futile, however reluctantly, he lowered his head and nodded.

“Okay. I am going to join George and Joan. I will meet you back at your place.” The hesitancy was plain in his voice, but we both knew I was going to do what I was going to do. My mind had already been made up. I needed to see my mate one more time despite how much I should not. I nodded, and patted Dimitri on the shoulder as he reluctantly turned away and left me alone in the conference room. After a moment, I straightened my shoulders once more, it was time to check on my mate before I left her forever.