Club Nova Vol. 4 (Brad Grayson) by Elizabeth Nelson Read Free Book Online

poker face on long enough to make a deal with the likes of Peyton Thompson.
    The elevator came to a stop and he motioned Peyton to step out first. He followed. For good measure, Brad lightly placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward Eric’s office. Peyton sighed and slowed her steps, prolonging his touch. He almost cursed, but bit his tongue. It’s almost over.
    “Brad. Good to see you.” Eric stood and shook Brad’s hand when he entered the office.
    “Eric. Thank you for accommodating us today. This is Peyton Thompson. Peyton, my attorney, Eric Wakefield.” Brad tugged at his tie and set his briefcase on top of the conference table.
    “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Thompson.” Eric smiled.
    “Oh, it’s Miss. For a little while longer anyway.” She turned and winked at Brad who had to stop himself from snorting.
    That woman really was fucking nuts if she thought Brad would ever marry her. “So, are we ready to get started?” Brad asked, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible.
    “I just spoke to Miss Thompson’s counsel. He’s running about ten minutes late, but as soon as he arrives we’re ready to get down to business.” Eric looked back and forth between them. “In the meantime, can I get either of you something to drink?”
    “No, thank you,” Brad said. He wanted to sign the papers and get the hell out of this office.
    “A water would be great.” Peyton smiled.
    Eric busied himself with getting his assistant to bring drinks into the office for everyone when Brad felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. It was a message from Philip. Got info. Urgent! Brad’s stomach dropped and he swallowed hard, wondering what Philip had discovered. He had a feeling whatever it was wasn’t going to be good. Before he could respond, his phone rang.
    “Excuse me,” he said to Eric and Peyton. “I need to take this. It’ll only be a moment.” Brad stepped out into the hallway and answered. “What’s up?”
    “A lot. I can’t even begin to explain it all right now, but I suggest you get your ass back here ASAP.”
    “I’m minutes away from making this deal,” Brad whispered angrily, “so why don’t you try to explain what the hell is going on?”
    Philip sighed. “Apparently Victoria has had contact with her kidnapper this whole time.”
    Brad’s blood ran cold and his ear prickled. “What?” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
    “She’s had a way to contact him with instructions to do so should you move forward with this deal,” Philip said.
    Oh, hell no. There had to be some mistake. Victoria wouldn’t betray him like that. She wouldn’t. “Did she?”
    “No, she came to me with the information and we’ve located him.”
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t fucking move,” Brad snarled. He ended the call, shoved his phone back into his pocket, and stormed into Eric’s office. “Something just came up that needs my immediate attention. I’m sorry.” He grabbed his briefcase. “Let’s reschedule for tomorrow,” he said, running out the door.
    Despite Eric and Peyton shouting at him, Brad moved his legs quickly. He could barely hear or understand anything they were saying. His mind was too consumed with Victoria and what Philip had said about her. Why the hell would she have contact with her kidnapper? Better yet, why would she lie to Brad about it? She knew how worried he’d been about her safety, and the whole time she knew she was never in any real danger. He couldn’t help but think how it seemed he was losing control over everything. He clenched his hands into fists.
    The ten minute drive back to his condo was the longest of his life despite racing between traffic. So many thoughts ran through his mind. He was a jumbled mess by the time he stepped inside his home. Philip greeted him at the door, holding a stack of papers. Brad held up his hand to silence him. “Where’s Victoria?”
    “Uh,