Read Club Nova Vol. 4 (Brad Grayson) for Free Online Page B

up his promise to her he was going to snap.
    “About what your plans are for tonight. We’re going to celebrate, right?”
    “Let’s just get through the paperwork first.” He forced out a laugh.
    “Yes, of course. Silly me for getting ahead of myself. But, I do have some really tempting thought on how we can celebrate.” She smiled.
    Brad stared at her for a few moments. She really was clueless. Did she really not have any memory or care for what had transpired just a few days ago? She’d given him an ultimatum, a threat, and then attacked his house. How could she stand here now and act like none of that happened? Brad wanted to slap the woman for being so stupid.
    He cleared his throat and opened the door for Eric’s office building. He nodded for her to go in first. “Let’s make sure this deal goes down without a problem. We’ll talk after.” Peyton gave him a tight smile and entered the building. “I will tell you, I’m really looking forward to tonight.”
    “Oh, so am I.” She glanced at him over her shoulder.
    He hadn’t been lying. He really was looking forward to tonight, but not because of her. He’d promised Victoria a celebration, a weekend away from everything and everyone so the two of them could finally be alone; no distractions, just the two of them. Brad’s muscles relaxed just thinking about it..
    Brad and Peyton stopped at the elevator and waited for it to arrive. He stared at the numbers as they counted down to the lobby, trying to ignore Peyton’s gaze which was fixed solely on him. He could only imagine what she was thinking. He’d be so damn glad when this meeting was over and he could return to Victoria.
    He knew Victoria was right. Signing this deal didn’t mean the nightmare was over. Peyton would be furious when Brad backed out on his promise. Even if he chose his words carefully, she would pounce him.
    The elevator dinged, the doors slid open, and they both stepped inside. “I thought for sure your assistant would be with you today,” Peyton said as the doors slid closed.
    Brad punched the number six and sighed. “Last I checked, she wasn’t a part of this deal.”
    Peyton shrugged. “Must be my mistake.”
    Brad turned to look at Peyton straight on. “Why did you assume she would be here?”
    “Because you’re fucking her, and I guess I assumed you’d want her close. You know, with all the hard luck she’s had recently.”
    The hairs on the back of Brad’s neck and arms stood on edge. Peyton was goading him, trying to get him to slip up and admit something. But what? And why? He kept his face stoic, expressionless, as he turned to look at her. “A man like me has fucked a lot of women. Would you suggest I gather all of them here, too?”
    She flinched slightly and Brad knew his cold demeanor had the desired effect. He held her gaze. His gut churned at the thought of Victoria alone in his condo. She had a house full of investigators and a bodyguard for protection, yet Brad knew that Peyton was capable of great turmoil. Nothing would happen to her, he convinced himself. Still, it didn’t ease the fear inside of him.
    “No, of course not,” she finally said.
    He gave a curt nod and turned back to stare at the elevator doors. “There won’t be any surprises once we get up here, will there?”
    “Like what?” she asked innocently.
    Brad shrugged. “I just don’t want to be blindsided, that’s all. ”
    “A big business man like yourself, I didn’t know.”
    “Know what?”
    “That you would be nervous.”
    Brad laughed. “This? This isn’t nervous. Just thorough.”
    “Good. And no. As long as you keep your word about everything we’ve discussed, there won’t be any surprises.”
    He gave a curt nod and pulled at his jacket. Just a little while longer until he could be out of here, away from her and on to his great fortune. This business was his life, his passion. He could make a deal with the hardest negotiator out there. Surely he could keep his