Chapter 27

Emery didn't know how she was able to be civil to Ivory without once attempting to destroy her. That girl had destroyed everything for Emery, her reputation, and her love life. Following Braylen's knowledge of Ivory and Raiden, he had ceased his relationship with Emery. In fact, there had been no formal break up, he had ceased all communications with her. If she ever saw him, he would turn around and move in the opposite direction. It just wasn't fair! She couldn't bear the thought that she had lost out to her bloody assistant! Emery's blood boiled. She especially hunted down Jeffery Hall, mid-50's, and the most experienced Editor in the company.

"I have a favour to ask of you," she demanded his attention.

"Ask away," he permitted.

"I have a friend who is currently trying to decide on an editor for her novel. Would you be willing to give her some advice?" Emery batted her eyes lashes.

"I am not sure I am quite up to that right now," he responded honestly.

"Please?" Emery pushed. "I am sure she doesn't mind sleeping her way up," she whispered, knowing the words would instantly change his mind. While Jeffery was a member of staff he was known for soliciting sexual acts for favours. There had been many a young writer who had fallen into his trap and now Emery wished the same of Ivory. She made her way back to Ivory leading her to one of the empty rooms.

"Mr. Hall, this is Ivory Remington." Emery introduced. He extended his arm in front of him and Ivory took it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Ivory initiated.

"The pleasure is mine, dear," he responded, warmly.

"Well, I'll leave you two to discuss business matters. I'll be right outside." Emery assured as she walked out the door, pushing it in behind her. Ivory jumped at the sound of the door closing.

"Forgive me for asking to meet away from the crowd. I prefer to have serious discussions in an environment where I can concentrate, out there is way too noisy." He drew her attention to him.

"Not at all." Ivory responded politely.

"So I hear you need advice," he began.

"In fact, I do," she confirmed.

"How are you willing to pay for such advice?" in the space of one second he turned dark.

"Excuse me?" Ivory inquired, she was outraged.

"You do something for me, I do something for you." his eyes skimmed across her body openly. She felt as if he was undressing her with his eyes.
Ivory scoffed. "No, thank you," she responded, turning to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and pulled. The door didn't budge.

"I have the only other key." Jeffery raised the key in front of him, taunting her with it.

***
Raiden had lost sight of Ivory for a few minutes, when he found her she was being led away from the crowd and into one of the secluded rooms by Emery. If their minds could communicate he would urge her to turn back. He excused himself from the group he had recently bombarded and followed along the path they took. He arrived in time to see from a slight distance, Emery pulling the door behind her only to further turn the key, essentially locking the door from the outside.
She spun on her heels and began walking his way, Raiden continued forward and when she was close to him, he grabbed hold of her arm. "Where is Ivory?" his voice sharper than razors. Emery winced at the sharpness of his tone.

"How should I know?" she inquired audaciously, looking away from him.

"Give me the key." he placed his palm face up in front of her. She hesitated. "Now!" he barked and the key fell into his palm.
He released her arm. "Your employment with my company is hereby terminated. You will receive an official notice on Monday." his jaw clenched with such intensity that he wondered if it'd break.

"What? No--" she attempted to protest but he had pushed past her and made his way to the door. He placed the key into it and turned. His heart pounding fiercely, he had no idea what situation Emery had concocted to mess with Ivory.
He pushed open the door, his body ready for anything. However, it was not ready for the sight he saw. Jeffery Hall writhing in pain on the floor behind Ivory, who was standing in front of the doorway with an identical key in hand.

"She attacked me!" Jeffery immediately attempted to turn the tables as he stumbled to his feet.

"I was defending myself," she responded calmly.

"You did that?" Raiden questioned, that sense of pride filling him once more.

"When my father kicked me out, I was all alone so I took some self-defence classes," she responded with a shrug. Raiden pulled out his cell and grabbed hold of Jeffery. "She needs to be charged with assault and battery!" he groaned, still unable to stand straight.

"Or rather you need to be charged with attempted sexual assault." Raiden countered. Jeffery's eyes widened at the accusation. "Be serious Mr. De Ville."

"I assure you I am serious. I have been investigating you since I took over the company, trying to gather evidence. Why do you think I haven't moved a single client to you?" Raiden inquired, although he didn't require a response. The security personnel came in and took him away, leaving Ivory and Raiden alone.

"What were you thinking trusting her?" Raiden questioned, all of his worry morphing into anger.

"I wasn't trusting her." Ivory countered, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her body as a result of seeing him again. She somehow felt complete with him standing by her.

"You could have been hurt!" he tried to make her understand how serious the matter was.
Ivory didn't respond to that outburst. "So you know of Hall's crimes?" she questioned. Raiden nodded. "That's why I omitted him from the list you were sent," he revealed, enjoying being in her company again.

"I see," she muttered. "Thank you," she whispered, soliciting a smile from him. She turned on her heels, her back facing him, her intention to exit. This meeting was already going to set back her grieving period.

"The question you asked me." she instantly paused as the words leaving his mouth. "What is it that we have?" he echoed the question she had posed to him when they had separated.

Ivory turned around to face him. "I didn't know the answer then and I may not completely know the answer now. What I do know is that when I am with you I am a better person. I actually experience life, my days don't blur together and I'm undeniably happy." His eyes locked with hers, the gaze within them intense and emotional. Ivory couldn't control the tears welling up in her eyes. He took her silence as an encouragement to continue.

"While I don't know what we have, I know what is it I want us to have." he closed the distance between them, grasping her hands in his and placing it against his chest.

"I want us to have each other. Not as some insane temporary experiment but as actual partners, because you deserve everything I can offer you emotionally." he paused.

"I am not an expert when it comes to love, but that is the only way I could think of to describe the way you make me feel." his face was an inch away from hers now. Her eyes gazing up at him.

"You love me?" she questioned, uncertain she had heard it right the first time.

"More than my vocabulary is capable of expressing," he confirmed, and the tears she'd been fighting to contain had burst through their barrier.

"I love you," she confessed and Raiden had never felt lighter. "But, I don't want to be a burden on your relationship with your family." She exposed her deepest fear.

"My relationship with my family has always been challenged. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. Besides, I don't want you worrying about that, it's amendable." he informed, unwilling to further discuss his family. He had gotten her back and that was all that mattered at that moment.
He pressed his lips against hers, his hunger mirroring her own. They pushed back on the door, shutting it from the inside, knowing fully well that only they possessed the keys. His hands trailed down the length of her body and her hands reached for the belt at his waist. Raiden tore his lips away from hers as she had successfully removed his belt.

"I don't have protection." he breathed against her ear, both their chests heaving.
Ivory groaned in dismay. "I'm probably not thinking straight, but I am not sure I care." her eyes meshed boldly with his. Raiden grinned, lowering his head towards her.

"Don't worry, I'll take responsibility for you," he whispered against her lips before pressing them against his own in a dance of pure unabated desire.