Chapter 29 Chapter 29

Chapter 29 Chapter 29
Sydney

Bryce turned. It was a man in his forties with perfect blond hair and teeth too white to be natural. I stared for a second too long before it occurred to me that they were veneers. 

“It’s me!” He grinned, staring at Bryce who seemed to be having a hard time recognising him. “Marcus McBroten. We met briefly in London last year? Lake deal?”

Bryce’s eyes shifted slowly as he smiled. “Marcus! Of course! You were the crypto guy!”

“Still am!” Marcus grinned, spreading his arms excitedly. “Up forty percent this quarter.” He turned his eyes to me, they narrowed slightly and I sat up, feeling self conscious all of a sudden. 

“I’ve seen your face before,” he pointed his index finger at me. “Aren’t you Sydney Carter? You’re married to some guy now. Eric? I’ve heard quite a bit about your father.”

I managed a smile, stretching to accept his handshake. “All good things, I hope.”

His palm was sweaty and he gripped my hand tightly. “Intriguing things but I hear he’s a great businessman and he taught his daughter well.” He smiled, flashing those too white teeth. I wondered how much he paid for them. “I also read about Prestige Global partnering with Westin here,” 

“Yeah,” Bryce nodded as Marcus pulled a seat.

He poured himself some wine as he talked to Bryce. They talked about his investment in cryptocurrency and he tried to convince Bryce for a minute. After a while, he turned towards me, asking about my father. 

“Westin!” 

Someone called from across the pavilion. It was Harrison. Bryce had been trying to discuss a deal with him earlier when he got distracted. He leaned in towards me, touching my wrist softly. 

“I’ve got to speak with Harrison. He tends to leave early,” he said quietly. “I will…”

“It’s alright. I’ll be good.” I nodded at him, waving him off.

He nodded, excusing himself and leaving. He’d barely taken a few steps away when Marcus moved into his seat. For a brief second, I almost regretted telling him to go. 

“So,” he leaned forward. “Tell me all about the partnership between Prestige Global and Westin?”

I leaned back, instinctively. “It’s exactly what’s been announced actually. It’s mostly a strategic partnership and we’re focusing  on expansion and better timelines for our clients”

“Come on now, Sydney. Sorry, Mrs Carter? Orrr.. what’s your husband’s name?” He rubbed his forehead furiously. “May I call you Sydney?” He sighed. He didn’t wait for an answer. “I’m in the business world as well. I’m not trying to get the boring press release version. I’m wondering what’s in it for you and your father?”

I shrugged. “I mean, it’s obviously a profitable partnership. We can easily scale our portfolio using Westin’s in house expertise and reduce the risk of execution.”

“Is it?” He glanced behind him, leaning back in the chair and taking a sip of wine. “I mean that’s all? You’re here with Bryce aren’t you?” His eyes traveled down my dress and back up. I suddenly felt weirdly uncomfortable. 

“Because from where I’m standing, it looks like a very attractive young woman partnering with one of the most eligible bachelors in the business world. Your faces are all over the reports and people talk, you know.” 

My fingers tightened around the wine glass. “I would have assumed you would be too busy with your business to waste time on gossip Mr McBroten. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

“Hold on,” he reached out as I tried to stand, not quite touching me but close enough. I froze. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I sat back down slowly. His lips curved into a grin. 

“It’s just that…damn! You’re more beautiful in person than in the business photos. Your husband must be a lucky man. It’s hard not to imagine someone else would want to stick a finger in that pie.” He leaned in, wiggling his eyebrows. 

Warning bells set off in my head. I needed to get away from this madman. ASAP. 

“Thank you,” I said dryly. “And yes, he is. Which is why I should probably check in with him. Now, if you’ll allow me…” I stood up, turning to walk away 

“One drink” He blurted after me, quickly standing as his fingers wrapped around my wrist. “Let’s share a drink. I have some investment opportunities that might interest Prestige Global. It’s very lucrative and low risk since I have a very…” his voice dropped a notch. “intimate understanding of the market”

His thumb stroked the inside of my wrist and my stomach turned. My eyes glanced around the hall. I wouldn’t want to make a scene and we were at a corner. I pulled back but his grip tightened, his fingers digging into my flesh. He was standing fully now, blocking me on one end, a column on the other so it was difficult to see me from the center of the hall. 

“Mr McBroten, I really need to…”

“Call me Marcus, please.” He moved closer, using his body to press me back against the wall. 

I watched the crowd flowing past without noticing. 

“We could help each other, you know. I have contacts, resources. And you…Well, you run one of the most powerful companies in the country.”

He was close enough now that I could smell the whiskey on his breath and see his glassy blue eyes. He was drunk. Tipsy at best and he was getting bolder every second. 

“I’m not interested!” I hissed, my heart hammering in my chest. “Let go of my wrist!”

“Don’t be like that.” His free hand came up beside me, caging me in. “I’m offering you a legitimate business opportunity. Unless you’d prefer to discuss it somewhere more….private? I have a suite not too far away. Very comfortable. Very discreet too.”

Panic flared in my chest as his grip on my wrist tightened. The pavilion suddenly felt too crowded and too empty at the same time. Tons of people and it was hard for them to see his fingers digging into my wrist. 

“Let go!” I hiss again, hating the tremor in my voice. “Now.”

“Or what?” He smiled, leaning closer. “You’ll make a scene? Somehow I don’t think that’s your style, sweetheart. Women like you, you care too much about appearances and what people think to do that. Come on, there’s a corridor behind you and…” he leaned in closer, breathing against my ear. “ I’ve got a weapon on me. So why don’t we just….”

His hand moved from the column to my waist, his fingers spreading across the small of my back. 

Fuck.