Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Forty-Five

Mason

        “Hey.” Wyatt nor Levi followed her in which isn’t out of the norm when she comes to my office, it’s pretty secure up here as is, so I don’t always let Leo in here either. Regardless if Aria is here or not, like now Leo is out on the floor somewhere but I should have asked him to come in right away, maybe having him there would have helped stop her unwanted advances a little.  

        Still, Crash has been pleasantly stressed about all the orders she had stacked up for tomorrow. It’s Thanksgiving, our first holiday together, and a crazy one at that. But I’m hoping it’s only the first of many to come. I don’t care what’s happening come Christmas we’re going away for a little bit even if we have to leave Christmas morning, so she can get the orders I’m sure she’s already collecting ready, and delivered or picked up.

            Aria’s hands go on her hips as she stretches her neck to the side, around me, getting a better look at the woman behind me, who I know is glaring back at her, annoyed at the interruption. Aria looks over with intrigue and anger but not jealousy or hurt feelings settling the part of me that’s been bristling since the moment, Miss. Kendrick walked through the doors.

            Pivoting around I stand next to Aria, extending my arm around her back and pulling her into my side as I introduce the women to one another, “Aria this is Miss. Kendrick, she’s an executive from Lightening. Miss. Kendrick this is Aria, my fiancée.” As thin as her jacket is I wish it was thinner still. Rubbing her back does virtually nothing, I can’t even tell if it helps soothe her at all.  

            It doesn’t because Aria must sense the predator before her. She doesn’t want to be seen standing in my shadows or needing my support. She steps out of my hold and turns her back on Miss. Kendrick before a greeting can pass either of their lips. I watch in amusement as the woman behind mine, cheeks grow red as she draws her shoulder uptight.

            Crash sends me a look I’m surprised I can read, she wants to know if I need some help. My answer is my growing smile. I love when wicked Aria comes out to play. It’s something special to watch her stand her ground, using her brilliant mind to take down the rich assholes I detest more than she does.

            She tugs on her bottom lip with her teeth as her pointer finger and thumb rub against her life jacket charm, and push her jacket sleeve up.  

            “Well, that wasn’t rude at all,” Miss. Kendrick says as snidely as possible. She turns to the bar grabbing a glass and the nearest bottle while Aria spins around. If she wasn’t ready to fight my battle for me before she sure as s**t is now.

            Aria pulls down her zipper as Miss Kendrick continues. Quickly sliding her jacket off. Leaving her in a pink top, also covered in baked goods and jellies, with a clean patch where her apron clearly was.

            “If this is how your company operates with spur-of-the-moment vacations, terrible scheduling, no preparation for meetings, and personal drama then I think it’s best we end this meeting now.” Miss. Kendrick leans back against the bar as she swirls her cup around and takes a sip looking at me while ignoring Aria. Even though she’s quickly approaching the bar with every intention of putting her in her place.

            “Dixie wouldn’t be successful if we operated under those standards, but we all are human. Do you fault your employees for taking sick days or vacation time Miss. Kendrick? If so I know you aren’t the company we were promised and we will not be doing business.” Her face turns a shade paler as she stands taller and glares more fiercely.

            As soon as Crash makes her way to the bar she sets her jacket off to the side, definitely not where it belongs, making me twitch with the need to pick it up and hang it on the hook off to the side of my door, instead I ignore it and walk to the edge of my desk.

            Sitting on the edge I cross my ankles and my arms as I glare back at Miss. Kendrick while watching Aria, ready to step in if she does need me or things spiral out of control.

            “I don’t have to deal with the employees we have an HR department for that Mason. But my fellow executives would never have a meeting so out of place and disorganized.” She spits the words out like venom laced with poise while holding a certain significance on my first name. If she thinks that’ll get a rise out of me alone she’s wrong but everything else she’s done sure as f**k will.

            Aria grabs two glasses pouring my favorite Scotch into both while managing to glare at Miss. Kendrick’s side profile. If her eyes could spit fire I’m sure she would set her on flames right now.

            “Mason is the most organized well-intended person I know, your company would be lucky to do business with Dixie. I’m not so sure Dixie can say the same if they have someone like you working for them, what does that say about the company as a whole?” Scooping both glasses up she stomps towards me, handing me one while walking to the other side of my desk and plopping down in my seat.

            Following her movements, I smirk and wink in her direction before I swing back towards Miss. Kendrick whose anger is only becoming more evident in the rise and fall of her chest. “I didn’t think you needed someone to speak for you. Your fiancée at that. Tell me what does she have on you, Mason? That’s the real question everyone asking, isn’t it? How a nobody like her managed to trap you so easily. Tell me, what is it you call her? Crush?”

            “Crash actually,” She calls out calmly. I don’t know how her words made my fist clench as my blood pressure rose. At this rate, I’ll be lucky if I make it to Christmas without a heart attack.

            Throwing back the golden liquid I take pleasure in the familiar burn as it slides down my throat and settles in my stomach. Clearly, this deal is shot or at least this meeting is. Still, I’m curious to know how my father managed to get the meeting to start and what exactly the purpose was for.

            She hasn’t taken it seriously since she walked through my door, nor has she been respectful or professional in any capacity. It’s safe to assume business was never on her mind but she was motivated to come. I just need to find out what those motivations were and if they have anything to do with my father himself.

            Did he send her here to f**k with me on purpose? Or am I becoming too paranoid while largely underestimating the means by which people will go to stand at my side? Either way, I need answers.

            “Well Crash whatever it is you have on him it’s well played. He’s a well-trained little puppy dog isn’t he?” She laughs as she takes me in from head to toe. “A very nice package too. It’s really too bad I’ll have to tell Edward all about his son's massive failure of a meeting.”

            “Darling I can assure you, you have no idea just how nice his package really is and you never will. But he most certainly is not a dog nor do I have any control over him. I was however sent over her by dear old Edward so you can thank him yourself for whatever it is you think I interrupted that has your panties so clearly in a twist.” I laugh even as I cringe. I love how bold Aria can be but knowing Edward sent her here with the way Miss. Kendrick is dressed, her bold attitude and her almost instant need for a fight or a scene. She’s definitely working with Edward somehow, I just don’t think she was informed of the full plan.

            She slams her glass down on the bar top as she stomps over to the chair and all her belongings she discarded there. Only she doesn’t go around me she walks right up to me so we're standing toe to toe. She runs a finger down my chest as she looks at me through her fake lashes. “When you get yourself out of this mess be sure to give me a call. Until then have fun with your board members I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to see the number of zeros you just cut off their checks this quarter.”

            I’m pressed between her and the desk with little room to move without forcibly moving her which requires touching her to start. Something I’m without question not doing now that I know she’s here on Edward's behalf, clearly to weave some doubt about my capabilities to the board. I don’t know how far or should I say low she’s willing to go. Would she accuse me of assault? I’m not going to give her the opportunity to do so.

I stay until she removes her hand, only after dragging her whole palm down my abs coming just short of my pants. I’m too focused on her movements and staying still I don’t hear Aria move until she’s squeezing herself in between us.

Her touch is a relief but tension still surrounds us, now more than ever. Aria is still calm, calmer than I would ever be should the situation be reversed, I’ll have to thank her for her composure later. Right now I need to help maintain it. For all, I know Miss. Kendrick has a hidden camera and this is her last shot at getting some good footage.

            “Now, now didn’t your parents ever teach you to keep your hands to yourself. Or are you under the impression that the world bows at your feet?” Wrapping my arm around her middle I hold her tight as she shoves her hands into Miss. Kendricks shoulder forcing her to stumble slightly on her heels as she moves back.

            “You..” Miss. Kendrick's face lights up bright red as she leans back in the fight against Aria’s decent but necessary shove.

            “It’s time for you to collect your things and remove yourself from the building before I decide to file s****l assault charges against you from your little touch just now.” I’m sick of staying silent, sick of this whole situation. “I’ll be calling your company until I talk to the CEO myself and I’ll be sure to give him a play-by-play on how one of his executives represents his company.”

            She must hear the promise in my tone, as she scurries over to her things. “Go ahead and try, I think you’ll be too busy cleaning up your own mess. I’d say it’s been pleasant but it really hasn’t.” She snaps her jacket back on a second before she tosses her purse on her shoulder and finally leaves the room.

            “What the actual f**k?” Crash spins around as she pulls out of my arms, her composure slipping. Her blue eyes are opened wide and wild as she looks at me.

            Shifting my head side to side I try to crack it to relieve some of the pressure already building there as my head starts to ache. “I’m as confused as you are.”

            “How disgusting was she? She basically groped you right in front of me!” Her hands go up in exasperation a little too close to my face for comfort. Stretching my neck back at the last second I manage to just barely stay out of range of an accidental slap or smack.

            “Thank you for stopping her, I didn’t want to risk touching her. She was here, helping my father for a reason. How did he get you here?”

            “I don’t actually know if it was him or not. But I guessed and from the looks of it I was right. Did you see how pissed it made her?”

            “You need to explain.” I wave her on.

            She throws her arms back up in the air so this time I grab them and pull her to me, hopefully preventing any injury to either of us. She comes easily but curves her back so she can keep good eye contact with me.

            “I got a call at the bakery, Grace answered since I was upfront with a customer. She said it was someone from your office, that they were all leaving for their holiday weekend but were worried you were too lost in your work and I should head over as soon as possible to entice you out.

            “It was a weird then and even weirder when I got here and pretty much everyone was still here. But that lady was the last straw I knew this all had to do with Edward. Do you think she’s right? Is her company that big of a deal? Will the board lose faith in you?”

            “Not if I can help it. I need to get Andrew Rossi on the phone, he’s the CEO of Lightening. If I can get to him before Edward gets to the board I’ll have a chance to win the contract on my own.”

            “Well, won't that royally piss Edward off. Tell me how I can help!” Leaning down I kiss her quick before  I reach over the desk pressing the intercom to Michelle so I can request an extra computer and phone.

            The day isn’t over yet.