The Risks we take

Four

Reed

"She's here somewhere. She's ticked off the guest list with her PA and a plus one."

"PA brought a date and she didn't? Maybe she's a little less experienced than I thought she was." I took another small sip of the low quality sparkling wine always served at these things. I hadn't seen her yet. Neither me, nor Theo had and he saw everything. Knew the designer of their outfits, if they'd worn them before, who their dates were, their background. It's as if he had a breakdown of every minute detail at events which always came in handy when shaking hands with people I was supposed to know. He'd whisper their names and a topic that would impress them. Usually something personal. 'How was your daughters dance recital?' or ' I heard you took a trip to Tuscany.' Stupid small talk that made people believe I gave a damn about their lives rather than how long until they collapsed from a clogged artery and I could buy them out.

That was the aim of the game really. Either watch them go under through lack of care from the owners or buy out the competition. It was the only way to boost yourself really. Or rather it was the easiest way.

"Found her." Theo knocked my shoulder gently, nodding to the top corner of the room, a small crowd in a circle that seemed to be laughing hard. "Green dress."

Blonde hair fell down her bare back. 2 thin straps hanging her dress against her body. Silk. It looked like. In a sage green. She pushed her hands through her perfect curls and I stopped breathing as a guy put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side. It's her date? That fucks everything up.

"Who is he?"

"Um." Theo stood up a little, trying to see through the crowd. "Oh shit. It's Logan Reyes. From-"

"Digest. I know." His family don't do shit like this. If Sloane not knowing me had given me a headache, this was giving me a full blown migraine. Logan was an angel. Loved by almost anyone. And despite girls dropping to their knees for him, he didn't date often. Her being here with him was strategic. Her biggest competitor and her being seen in public, dating in public. Especially at events like this, looking like she looks, with his hands on her like that. I seethed. Downing my wine in one swift gulp before trying to readjust my plan because her being with him makes this a whole lot, not only more urgent, but complicated. I had to tread carefully. "Is Paige here?"

"Hawthorne?" I nodded, looking at Theo with a sense of urgency. "Do you think that's a good idea Reed? You don't-"

"I am very aware I can't treat Paige like normal Theo. I'm not stupid. But I'm thinking on my feet here and being around Paige is the best hope I have. I'll work a way out of it later. Right now, I need to get back above her." The sighed, turning on perfectly shined shoes and walking me across to the opposite side of the room.

"Graduated with honours from Princeton. Spends her summers between St Tropez, Montenegro and the Bahamas. Played Volleyball. Headed the team in her final year and saw them win the Ivy league cup." He stopped a few feet away and I took a deep breath, straightening my tie and pulling my shoulders back. Her parents were a lot more... demanding with the expectations on who she spent time with. This would only work if my small talk over the past few years had landed me in their favour. She was well out of my reach and I was very aware of that. This was more than a small risk. But if I didn't take this, I'd lose the upper hand with Sloane and Logan.

"I am very sorry to intrude." I poked my head into the group between conversations. "Mr and Mrs Hawthorne. How are you both?" Her father smiled. So far so good. We small talked. I made them laugh a little, eased the atmosphere before gently diverting the conversation to Paige enough to be invited to eat with them. I obliged. Sitting beside her and keeping her talking and smiling for the whole meal. Charming her parents into ignoring their usual markers for who could spend time with them. And when dinner was over, I asked her to dance. If her father didn't mind, of course. He agreed and I led her out like she was made of glass. 2 hours. More than I'd have hoped but, eyes were on Paige and I as we danced to the music.

"You're up to something Reed." Paige's soft smile stayed plastered on her lips but she wasn't stupid. "Charming my father like the little snake you are."

"I am not up to anything Paige."

"Hm." She flicked her head back slightly, before looking around the room. "Using me to get the attention off Windsor?"

"What?"

"At least make it believable. Move your hand up, widen your fingers and pull me in." I did as she said, causing her to take a small stumble into my chest. "Honestly. You paper boys. Anyone would think being brought up to watch people and find out their secrets you'd be able to tell but you're just as blind as a horse in blinkers. I saw it too. 2 possibilities. They've been dating since it came out she was here, or it's just for show. She's very private though so none of my usual people can find anything on it. If it's just for show, it'll be a few months until they stop being seen with each other. It's a good ploy though. Make her seem settled and that she's handling it well." I blinked. "Smile Reed. Your dancing with a Hawthorne that's well out of your league. Don't look so miserable."

"You surprise me Paige."

"Why? Because I pay attention to my surroundings?"

"Because you've been coming to these for years and sit in the corner reading a book."

"Doesn't mean I don't know what's going on." She smiled. "I know more about these people than they do me. All except Windsor's girl. That whole family. No one knows much about them." She scrunched her face together before faking a laugh. "What's next then? In your little last minute plan since she was a step ahead and messed yours up?"

"I got this far." Paige nodded.

"Well. I'm taken, so dating is out of the question."

"News to me."

"I know. You're the only person who knows so if it gets out, I know exactly which paper I'm making my father squash next."

"Was that a threat Paige?"

"A promise."