Page 53 of Beauty and the Bosshole

I step forward, eyes narrowing as my anger flares. "Don't play dumb, Leon. You’re trying to interfere with Aurora, but it didn't work, did it? We've already secured new suppliers."

For a brief moment, annoyance flickers across Leon's face, but he quickly masks it with a smile. "Clever girl," he says, his gaze raking over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. "But do you really think a few new suppliers will keep your little company afloat? I have connections, Reese. I can make life very difficult for you."

"I'm sure you can.” Reese's voice is low and dangerous as he responds. “But we didn't come here to listen to your threats, Leon. We came here to make you an offer."

Leon quirks an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

I reach into my purse and pull out the thick envelope. "Inside this envelope is proof of your attempts to sabotage Aurora," I say, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart. "Emails,financial records, witness statements. Everything we need to bury you in court."

As Leon's eyes widen, a flicker of fear passing over his features, he quickly controls his expression. "You're bluffing," he says, but there’s uncertainty in his voice.

Reese takes the envelope from my hands and tosses it onto the coffee table. "Are we? Go ahead, take a look. I think you'll find it very enlightening."

With a scowl, Leon snatches up the envelope, ripping it open and scanning the contents. As he reads, I watch the color drain from his face, and he sinks onto the couch.

"What do you want?" he asks, his voice suddenly missing all the pomp and circumstance it carried just moments before. Reese steps closer.

"It's simple," he tells him. "You're going to leave Aurora alone. No more attempts to sabotage our business, no more trying to weasel your way into the company. You're going to forget we exist."

Leon's jaw clenches, his fingers tightening on the papers in his hand. "And if I refuse?"

I move to join Reese, standing shoulder to shoulder with him as a united front. "Then the next envelope we send will be to the federal authorities. We've already made copies of everything you see there. Rest assured, we are prepared to defend our business and our integrity at all costs. We’ll make sureeveryoneknows about your underhanded business practices. Your reputation will be ruined, your business in crumbles, and you'll be lucky if you don't end up in prison."

Leon's eyes dart between us, the calculations clear in his gaze as he weighs his options. He swallows hard, the arrogance that so often defines him now noticeably absent. After a tense moment, he sets the envelope down on the table.

"Fine." He lets out a long, defeated sigh. "You win. I'll leave Aurora alone."

"Wise choice, Leon.” Reese glances my way, a triumphant grin teasing the corner of that gorgeous mouth.Oh, I can’t wait to get back into our hotel room to ‘celebrate’.“But just to be clear, this isn't a one-time deal. If you ever come after my company or my family again, I won't hesitate to destroy you.”

As we turn to leave, Leon calls out, "What about Nina? Are you going to tell her about our little… arrangement?"

Reese pauses, glancing back over his shoulder. "My mother is no longer any of your concern, Leon. She knows who you really are now, and she wants nothing to do with you."

With that, we step out into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind us. The moment we're back on the elevator and out of sight of Leon’s hired men, I throw my arms around Reese's neck, grinning from ear to ear.

"We did it," I whisper, bouncing on my toes with excitement. "I can't believe it was that easy."

Reese chuckles, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. "Easy? I thought you were going to have to hold me back from punching him in the face."

Giggling, I press a soft kiss to his lips. "I'm proud of you for keeping your cool. And for standing up for your mom like that."

"She's family," he says simply, resting his forehead against mine. "And so are you, Ava. I'd do anything to protect the people I love."

My heart swells to an impossible size. "I love you, too, Reese. More than I thought was possible."

I can't help but marvel at the incredible journey we've been on together since we came to Vegas. In just a few short days, Reese has become not only my husband but my partner in every sense of the word.

When the elevator doors glide shut, sealing us from the view of anyone who might pass by, Reese presses the button for the lobby and turns to me with that look I know all too well in his eyes. "So, how do you propose we celebrate our little victory?"

“Well, considering we’re in Vegas,” I pause, leaning in closer to whisper, “I say we gamble a little more. Only this time, not with company shares or threats, but with something far riskier.”

Reese’s eyes light up as he tilts his head in question. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

I tug on the front of his jacket, closing the distance between us just as we hit the ground floor. “Yes, Reese. Let’s make a baby.”

Chapter Nineteen

Reese