Page 52 of Beauty and the Bosshole

I prove it to her over and over until sunrise.

Chapter Eighteen

Ava

"Are you sure this is going to work?" I ask, pacing the length of our hotel room, my nerves getting the better of me. "What if he doesn't fall for it?"

Reese looks up from the folder in his hands, his eyes locking with mine. "He will," he assures me, his voice filled with conviction. "We've got him cornered, Ava. He won't have a choice."

I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. We've been going over the plan for hours, making sure every detail is perfect. The evidence we've gathered against Leon is certainly damning, and if he doesn't agree to our terms, we'll make sure the world knowsexactly what kind of man he is: a corrupt businessman with too many skeletons in his closet to keep the door shut.

"I just want this to be over," I say, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dark blue dress. "I hate that he's still trying to hurt you, even after everything."

Reese sets the folder down on the bed and crosses the room to me, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. "Hey," he says softly, ducking his head to meet my gaze. "We won’t let him win, okay? We’ve got this."

A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, and I lean into his touch. "We do, don’t we?" I respond, feeling a surge of confidence bolstered by Reese's assurance.

"Absolutely. Today, Leon pays for everything he's done." He presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "We'll go in together, present the evidence—"

"And if he doesn't agree to leave Aurora alone, we'll threaten to take it to the authorities," I finish, the plan now ingrained in my memory.

Reese grins, his thumbs brushing over my collarbone. "That's my girl. We’ll have him quaking in his boots."

I take a step back, smoothing my hands over my dress. "How do I look? Intimidating enough to strike fear into the heart of a sleazy businessman?"

He lets out a low whistle, his eyes roaming over my body appreciatively. "Sweetheart, you look like you could bring an army to its knees. Leon doesn't stand a chance."

Laughter bubbles up in my throat, easing some of the tension in my body. "Flatterer," I tease, grabbing my purse from the bed.

"Just being honest," he says with a shrug, picking up the folder and tucking it under his arm. "Now, let's go show Leon what happens when he messes with the Donovans."

We make our way down to the lobby and out to the waiting car. The drive to Leon's building is short, but it feels like it takes aneternity. Reese holds my hand the entire way, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin.

As we pull up to the grand entrance, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. Reese gives my hand a gentle squeeze before stepping out of the car and helping me out.

Together, we walk into the lobby, our heads held high. The concierge greets us with a polite smile as we approach the front desk.

"Reese Donovan to see Leon Anderson," Reese states, his voice calm and self-assured. "He's expecting us."

She checks her computer and hands us two key cards, directing us to the penthouse suite. In the elevator, Reese turns to me, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek.

"Remember, no matter what happens in there, I'm so damn proud of you, Ava." His thumb strokes over my skin. "You're the strongest person I know."

Emotion clogs my throat, and I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. "I love you, Reese. More than anything."

“I love you, too.”

The elevator dings, signaling our arrival, and we walk toward the door to Leon's suite, two of his goons talking quickly into their headsets. I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. Beside me, Reese does the same. We’re ready. It's time to face the monster and put an end to his games, once and for all.

As we walk across the plush, opulently decorated corridor, I’m reminded of the time I took a sewing class as a teenager. The project we were being graded on was a cute little pajama set that we were to model at a local fashion show at the community center. I was so nervous then, feeling like the fattest girl in the room with the thought that every stitch was a potential disaster waiting to happen. But just as Reese reminds me nowof my strength, back then, it was my mother who stood beside me, reassuring me with gentle nudges and soft whispers of encouragement.

"Fear is just the prelude to victory," she said, and now, those words echo in my heart with an intensity that propels me forward. Just like they did that day.

Leon’s door swings open, revealing him standing there in a garish silk robe, a smirk on his thin lips. I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. "Reese, Ava," he greets us, his tone dripping with insincere warmth. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Reese immediately pushes past him into the suite, and I follow close behind, my head held high. "Cut the crap, Leon," Reese growls. "We're here to talk about your little stunt with our battery supplier."

Leon has the audacity to chuckle as he closes the door, turning to face us. "It’s just business, Reese. Nothing personal.”