Obsession: (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #5) A Billionaire Russian Mob Romance Page 9

  “I’ll try not to embarrass you today.”

  “I don’t think you could do that. We’re here for you. I’m here to help you, not SHN.”

  “I think you should be yourself. Talk to these folks. I need some research on some up-and-coming companies, to get a feel for things emerging without violating SEC regulations. I figured Tom would know the lowdown.”

  “Yeah, the federal government doesn’t look too highly upon insider trading.”

  “Exactly.”

  The game’s actually quite fun. The 49ers are winning, which helps. The Box allows us to work the room together talking to people she knows and doesn’t, while eating, drinking and watching the game.

  “Many of these people are great with ideas and bringing them to fruition, but now their companies are big, and they can’t move and adjust like they could when they started. Their options of growing, and changing course can be challenging,” she contends.

  I can’t help but be a little turned on by her understanding of my business and the dynamics of the financial world. “Tom’s company is the big gorilla in social media already, so it can’t really grow much bigger. They’re certainly talking about advertising as their next big revenue stream, so now it’s a matter of optimizing those advertising dollars and trying to figure out if they can make it work to grow their bottom line.”

  She turns to look out across the group gathered in the box. “I think that’s their biggest challenge moving forward. Of course, that’s just my personal opinion. I don’t know anything about their current finances because they were a client long before I joined SHN. Tom Sutherland is involved in who we are and has helped us out of a jam with a recent challenge at SHN that he helped fix.”

  On the drive to the Arnaults’, we compare notes. Some of what I was looking for, she more than likely could’ve provided me on her own, but I think she appreciates that I didn’t ask her outright.

  “Tell me a little bit about some of the up-and-comings you’re out there pitching,” I say.

  “Well, our newest company that went public last week is Visionaire. They’ve created the first step to three-dimensional video conferencing.”

  “People want three-dimensional video conferencing?”

  “Its application goes beyond video conferencing. That’s just the first step they can look at. I’m happy to send your prospectus so you can look at all of the various different pieces that go along, but I have to be honest where we’re concerned right now. Somebody hacked them, getting through multiple firewalls and amazing encryption, and posted their patent word for word plus all of their documents online. It’s devalued their stock.”

  “I remember you talking about that last week. Has SHN ever backed a company that failed?”

  “Of course. Who hasn’t been impacted by a bad racehorse?”

  “Tell me about how they went bad.”

  “It’s been a long time since we’ve had one that actually failed. Before I joined SHN, they faced a challenge a few years ago when one of their CEOs was let go for sexually harassing his chief technology officer, our attorney, and a few others all while married to another woman with a young family. Apparently he was involved with five different women.”

  “Five women? You can’t tell me that none of them knew he was involved with anyone else, including that he was married.”

  “The one woman I know who was involved with him swears that she had no idea.”

  “Keeping five women happy would take some talent and skill in itself.”

  “Don’t you dare think that playing five women is a good idea.”

  “Oh no, not a good idea in the least. That’s not something I would do. I’d be afraid they’d find out and cut my dick off.”

  “You’d deserve it if you did.”

  “I’d never disagree with you. I’m just impressed that a guy could manage a busy work schedule plus a wife and family and four other women.”

  “It boils down to a lot of lies.”

  I change the subject before I get myself in trouble. “I don’t agree with what he did, and I believe he was a fool for thinking he could get away with it. I think I know who you’re talking about, and if I’m right, SHN didn’t have anything to do with that failure.”

  “No, we didn’t, but that goes to show that there are outside forces in every situation that can change the dynamics of an investment. We can only control so much.”

  Dinner goes as planned with the group, much as it did last week. Once we’re finished, Mason pulls me aside before they walk into their partners’ meeting, “How’s she doing?”

  “Good, as far as I can tell. I don’t know much of what’s going on.”

  “There are some less-than-savory characters who have their sites on Cynthia. Keep your eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.”

  The hair on the back of my neck stands straight. “We’re only friends. I’m not with her all night.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were more.” He turns and walks into the meeting, and I wait outside with Hadlee, Margo, and Annabel.

  Annabel likes to talk to me. “Did I hear you tell Mason that you and Cynthia are only friends? I have a friend I can introduce you to. She’s super cute, and guys really like her.”

  “That’s sweet of you, but I don’t have time for anything right now with recently starting up an office.”

  “Well, if you change your mind, let me know. Do you know what they’re talking about? Mason never tells me anything.”

  There’s no chance I’d ever want to be introduced to any of her friends. I can’t imagine anyone she knows would be interested in anything other than my bank account. “I don’t ask. I’ve worked on Wall Street long enough to understand that knowing too much can land you in front of a prosecutor.” That may be an exaggeration, but it has it’s desired effect, and she wanders elsewhere.

  Hadlee comes over. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you handled her beautifully.”

  “I grew up with girls like her, hoping lying on their backs will get them a big payday.”

  “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” She smiles at me. I know she isn’t flirting, but I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a good vibe about Annabel.

  “How did you and Cameron meet?”

  “I grew up next door.” She points to the side, and I realize she literally grew up next door to the Arnaults. “CeCe introduced us. It took some time for us to get it figured out, but it’s all good now. She matched Greer and Andy too.”

  I laugh. “She’s a matchmaker, huh?”

  “Yes, and no pressure, but she thinks you and Cynthia belong together.”

  “Ahh. Well that’s easier said than done.”

  “Only if you make it hard.”

  She turns and walks away, and I go back to the report I’m writing, though I keep replaying what she said. Am I making it hard? She’s never indicated that she’s interested in anything more, and we seem pretty firmly in the friend zone. Am I missing something?

  Cynthia’s one of the last to leave the meeting again. I would bet they’re trying to convince her to take on a security detail. I may not have known her long, but I do know she isn’t one to do something she doesn’t want to do. They may be fighting an uphill battle with her. I need to talk her into listening to these guys.

  After the meeting, we head back to our apartment building, and I walk her to her door. She gives me a hug good night, and I don’t want to let her go.

  This friend zone thing is beginning to suck. Maybe everyone’s right and we should try to make more of this.

  I go home and get into a hot shower. Soaping my hard cock, I slide it in my hand, thinking of what it would be like to slide it between Cynthia’s luscious lips instead, or in her tight pussy. I would love to fuck her tits, maybe put a nice handprint on her ass. It doesn’t take long before I spray the bathroom wall.

  I’m not sure that masturbating to visions of Cynthia is good. I’m falling for her, and it
only makes me want the real thing more.

  Chapter FOURTEEN

  Cynthia

  It’s a typical crazy Monday morning, and I don’t feel like I’ve gotten much accomplished when my phone rings at eleven o’clock. It’s my lawyer, Marci. Instead of greeting her, I say, “Please tell me you have some good news.”

  “I wish I did. It’s not necessarily bad news, but I received a request for your presence on Thursday with the assistant US attorney attached to the case. They’ve sent over their questions for us to look over. It’s somewhat innocuous, but we need to discuss them. What are you doing this evening?”

  “Looks like I’m having dinner with you.”

  “See you at five?”

  “See you then.”

  Hanging up the phone, I stare up at the ceiling and sigh.

  How the hell did I get into this mess?

  Time to tell Mason the latest.

  Walking into the break room, I look for a snack and pour an extra strong dark cup of coffee for Mason. At least I can come bearing gifts with my bad news.

  I knock on the doorframe so I’m not barging in. “Do you have a minute?”

  He looks up and smiles. “Of course. For you, I always have a minute, or two, or three.”

  My heart races, but I’m thankful for his understanding. “Thank you.”

  “Have you given any further thought to adding a security detail?”

  “No. I don’t think I’m in any jeopardy at this point, and I don’t think there’s anything I know beyond who was involved, so I think I’m okay.”

  Mason looks concerned. “Cynthia, Jim isn’t being overly precautious. It’s his job to protect. If he says to be careful, promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I don’t discount his advice, but I also know that the FBI’s been following me for a while. They’re aware of everything I do, everywhere I go, and even everything I order and eat.”

  He sits back in his chair and studies me carefully. “Wow, that’s pretty serious stuff.”

  “Yes, and that’s why I’ve stopped by. They’ve asked me to come in on Thursday for a round of questioning with the assistant US attorney. I’m going to do some prep after work today with my lawyer. Depending on the questions, I’ll let you know how my afternoons and evenings will shake out, but I’ll be out on Thursday. I don’t have a lot of vacation time to burn right now. And honestly, I’m concerned about my legal bills at this point.”

  “Why are you worried?”

  “Some of my accounts were frozen when this got started and will remain so while the investigation proceeds.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “I wish I was. I used all of my savings to buy into the partnership last year. Don’t get me wrong, y’all have been more than generous, and I live well within my means, but my legal fees are already more than most people make in a year.”

  He sits up straight and looks concerned. “Cynthia, why didn’t you tell me?”

  How do you tell your new employer, “Hi, my assets are frozen because my former employer is going to be indicted for working with a foreign government to the detriment of the United States”? I would think any employer in their right mind would run away.

  Rather than explain that, I tell him, “I had the money and wanted to be a partner, and I figured if I got the money back, all would be fine. And if they attribute it to ill-gotten gains, then I’ll still be fine. I work hard and do honest work.” I shrug because I know there isn’t much more I can do at this point.

  “Well, I can talk to the other partners, but I don’t think any of us would have a problem if you borrowed ahead to get the monkey off your back. If you need to borrow some money to pay your legal bills and, more importantly, pay for Jim and his team, please do not think twice about it. With Visionaire’s public offering, we made a lot of money, and you were a big part of that deal from the beginning. You’ll see some money from it.”

  “I appreciate that, given that I wasn’t part of the company when you brought them in. I think contractually that’s when I get paid.”

  “Well, we have a habit around here of making sure anybody who touches an account gets compensated, and you worked hard to push them over the finish line. While it may not be what your contract says, it’ll definitely be something.”

  I feel a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. “That’ll help a lot.”

  I make an incredible living, but I also have savings I’ve been working on replenishing. Knowing I’ll be able to pay Marci’s bills without paying them off like school loans, in dribs and drabs that last forever and a day, it makes a difference. I’m still not ready to have a private security detail, but I’ll wait and see what happens over the next few days.

  I stand to leave, and Mason says, “Before you go, Dillon and I were talking about your friend Todd. We think he might be an asset to us as an advisor. Would you be comfortable if we were to bring him on? We won’t do it if you object in any way.”

  “No, not at all. We’re friends and spend time together, but I think he would add a nice perspective for Dillon and me. He understands our business, but also the next step after going public and securing financing.”

  “That’s our thought. We still need to figure a few things out, but we didn’t want to go down the path if you would be uncomfortable.”

  “I love the idea. Let me know if you want me to float anything by him.”

  “We’re going to go golfing on Friday. We’re bringing Emerson so we can show off our prowess.”

  I laugh. Emerson is good enough to play on the women’s tour, and not many people understand that. “I’ve already warned him, but I’m not sure he believes me.”

  Mason gets a mischievous look and agrees. “They never fully understand how good she is until they tee off on the middle tee, and she goes right to the back tee and out drives them every time.”

  Marci set up a big conference room with a video camera for us, and she ordered dinner—pasta.

  “How did you know pasta sounded good today?”

  “We’re carb loading like this is a marathon.”

  My stomach drops, her comment sucking the life out of me. I look around for the wine, but there isn’t any. Who eats pasta without a nice glass of Chianti? I can do this. “Great.”

  We eat first, talking about what’s going on at SHN and in my personal life. When I tell her about Todd, she looks surprised. “You aren’t sleeping with him?”

  “Nope. We’re only friends.” I constantly debate how to move out of the friend zone, but he’s not making any moves either.

  “From how you describe him, I don’t know if I could restrain myself.”

  “I know. Fresh meat, all straight male and hot to boot, but he does live three floors up from me.”

  “Yeah, that’s a bit of a complication, particularly if you like where you live.”

  After finishing, she calls in her paralegal, then begins to walk me through the questions they sent over. The camera’s red light stares at me. She tells me she wants to watch my reaction and see how I answer them without any practice or thought.

  We spend the next half hour running through questions, most of which are about how BrightStar was structured, as well as a few about some clients I brought with me to SHN. My clients from BrightStar who hadn’t been financed because of the timing are of particular interest, since I talked Mason, Cameron, and Dillon into finishing off the financing BrightStar had committed to. We’ve begun to profit from them, as they’ve all gone public.

  I’m surprised at the level of detail they’re asking for. Marci nods and takes notes as we go while the camera records everything.

  When we finally take a break, all I desperately want is a glass of wine, but I settle for a glass of water. It’s not the same. The pasta sits heavily in my stomach, and I excuse myself for the bathroom.

  Marci takes a moment and reviews her notes before we start back up again, finishing off the rest of the questions. The last few have more to deal with our investo
r, though I’m not sure I have the answers to most of them given that I wasn’t in investor relations; my job was only to bring new investments.

  It’s 11:30 p.m. before I’m able to walk out the door. She has a town car on call, and she and a security guard walk me out to it when it arrives. Marci shares, “Given the questions they’ve asked, I’m beginning to think that maybe the security detail might be a good idea.”

  “I don’t know, Marci. If the FBI’s following me, won’t they do something to stop someone trying to hurt me?” I’m still determined that I’m not a target for them.

  “Maybe. I don’t know how good they are. I don’t know if they’ve got people who sleep on the job or get distracted by their cell phones. I do know a private security detail wouldn’t do those things and might be worth considering. These questions are serious stuff. The Russian government’s serious.”

  My stomach drops. “All right, I’ll think about it.”

  I sit in the back of the car and watch the city lights, thinking about what she said. The Russian government is serious. How the hell did I get in the middle of this?

  When I open my apartment door, it registers that I didn’t lock the deadbolt when I left this morning. That’s strange. I usually do.

  There’s a faint smell of stale cigarettes. Did I leave a window open and someone smoked on the outside patio? Looking around, I can’t quite tell if anything is out of place, but the smell of cigarettes is stronger in the hall leading to my bedroom.

  Somebody who smoked has been in my apartment.

  My heart skips a few beats. I don’t know what to do. I don’t own a gun, and I don’t have any combat skills. A chill runs up my spine. Without taking another step, I drop my messenger bag with my computer and run out the door. The elevator’s still on my floor, and I push the Up button to the penthouse, banging on Todd’s door as soon as I reach it.

  Hurry up. Please hurry.

  Todd’s in his underwear, his chiseled pecs distracting me for a half-second. “What’s up?” he asks sleepily.

  Looking over my shoulder, waiting for some random smoking man to follow me, I quickly ramble, “I think there was somebody in my apartment. Can I call the FBI and the police from here?”