Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

game changer. She was sure she could get higher profile clients, increase profits, and with the help of the investors the slate would be wiped clean and she could start again.

“Is this your first time dealing with investors?”

Emily’s stomach tightened. Although his question seemed innocent enough, she sensed that he was questioning her abilities. Had she done anything like this before? No. She looked back at David and remained quiet, listening to the faint rumble of the limousine as they traveled through the city streets. David placed his hand on hers.

“Okay, well I’m happy to help any way I can.”

“Have you got two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars lying around?”

David bowed his head as he laughed, then said, “Well....”

“I was joking,” Emily added. She looked down at their hands and sat in wonderment of how normal it felt to have David touching her.

“I try not to mix business with pleasure,” he said in a low voice. A smile crept across his face as they locked eyes. Emily threw her head back and sighed.

“So, tell me, am I business or pleasure to you?”

David rubbed his chin in thought—one of the gestures she was figuring out about her “husband.”

“You mean business,” he began, “but being with you is my pleasure.”

Emily cocked a brow at him and considered his response. She wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but she had no time to find out because the car came to a stop and David announced, “We’re here. Are you ready to schmooze these investors?”

Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach and Emily swallowed nervously.

“Let’s do this.”

Chapter Ten

Dinner and Plans

“So, David. Tell me, what do you do?”

David swallowed the last of his drink and placed the glass down on the white table linen; a waiter appeared out of nowhere to top off his glass. David looked up at the large man who addressed him. Mathew was not at all what he pictured. His cheeks were permanently rosy and the veins in his neck were bulging. His Texan slur was the only indication to his hometown. The two men sitting either side of him were quiet and immobile. Their eyes narrowed on him and paid no attention to Emily whatsoever. From the first moment they shook hands, David knew these men wouldn’t deal with a woman if they didn’t have to. The conversation was solely directed at David after the initial greeting, as if Emily didn’t exist. Emily Stewart, the sassy, brilliant, outrageously beautiful business owner, being left in the corner? The thought made David’s blood boil; he knew what he needed to do.

“I’m so sorry, will you excuse me for a moment? I need to make a quick call.” Without waiting for an answer, David got to his feet and offered an apologetic smile to Emily. She nodded at him matter-of-factly and turned to the men across the table.

“So, gentlemen, do any of you use a dating app?”

David strolled across the quiet restaurant and hid behind the large aquarium tank sitting in the center of the room. How long should he give it? Five minutes? Ten? He peered through the murky water and squinted. Emily was flicking her hair back and laughing at something. The men were chuckling back at her.

That’s it Emily, just be yourself, they’ll love you.

A waiter stopped and asked David if anything was wrong. He waved him off and took his phone out of his pocket to pretend he was making a call. He looked down to see his father’s name flash across the screen.

“Father, I can’t speak right now, I’m at dinner.”

“I need to speak with you.”

“It’s going to have to wait. I’ll be flying into the island in three days, we can talk then.”

“No, David, we need to talk now.”

David scoffed and glanced up through the fish tank again. Emily’s back was straight as a board, and she had her hands resting on the table. She appeared deep in conversation now.

“What is it?”

“Not here, David. I have a car waiting outside the restaurant.”

“How do you know where I am?”

“You think you can hide from your father? Now, stop wasting time. This won’t take long.”

David puffed out the air from his cheeks and strolled out of the restaurant, glancing nervously over his shoulder. Neither the investors nor Emily appeared to notice him leave.

David walked out into the rain and was just about to raise a hand to shield his face, when Joffrey held out an umbrella for him.

“Sorry, sir,” he muttered. “You know I’ve never been able to keep secrets from him.” David shot him a look and got into the back of the silver Rolls Royce.

“Evening.”

David shook the rain off his jacket and looked at the man sitting with his hands gently clasped together.

“Make this quick, I need to get back inside.”

“You don’t speak to me like that, David,” His father warned. “I’m here to remind you of our arrangement.”

David looked down.

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“Good, because if your grandmother finds out….”

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Have you spoken to your brother?”

David snorted.

“Have you? Has anyone?”

“He’s family, David. And he misses you.”

David threw his hands up in exasperation.

“Well, maybe he should stop putting money before family.”

“He’s a hard worker, you know that.”

“At what cost?”

“Please tell me you had her sign a prenup.”

David stared at his father, taken aback by the sudden change of topic.

“Of course, Father.”

David’s father relaxed. “Good. I don’t want you to go through what I––”

“You mean when my mother left you and took half of everything.”

“It was fortunate your grandmother saw sense enough to keep the shares.”

“I know.” David sighed and picked at a loose thread in the seam of his trousers.

“You know the terms… your grandmother must approve of your wife before she will amend her will. If you do not want everything to go to your brother, you will do well to prepare Emily.”

“I’m not worried. Emily is perfect for––”

“Have you told her?” The words hit David right in the chest, as if shot by a poisonous dart. He shook his head.

“Good, the less she knows