The Ceo's Contracted Mistress
The Ceo’s Contracted Mistress Chapter 18

Bobbie felt like her head was going to explode all over the limo she and Grady were sharing back to the hotel. Just because Olivier was what Trace considered a second son, it hadn’t meant Olivier was going to capitulate to every single demand Trace had made. It also meant Trace was trying to push for things.

At one point, Grady had called a time out and he and Bobbie had pulled Trace aside and demanded to know what he was doing arguing as much as he was. If he didn’t want to sell to Gael and he was pushing Olivier out the door with his incessant arguing over every single clause of the contract, then why were they here?

Trace had grinned and said Olivier loved a challenge, so he was giving him one. Bobbie had begged Grady to let her go home at this point, but he’d told her if he had to stick around and play referee then so must she. However, by the end of the day, the contract was ironed out, everyone had signed off and both men were satisfied.

Trace was going to stay on for six months and teach Sissy everything he could in this time and the woman was thrilled with the notion she was getting to do what she was born to do, if not for her own family.

Olivier and Sissy had both had repeated phone calls from Gael and there had been two calls from reception and security he was on the premises, but he’d been escorted away. Bobbie hadn’t missed the perverse pleasure Olivier had in pushing his grandfather to the side. She found herself wondering what had transpired between the two to make him relish sticking it to him so much.

“Does this mean we can go back to Dallas early?” Bobbie asked quietly, her head leaned back on a headrest and her eyes closed.

“No,” Grady grunted. “Your fiancé wants us to spend a bit of time here until his team has the security issues at the houses settled.”

She turned her head, not lifting it from the headrest and grimaced at him, “not my fiancé.”

“You don’t want to marry him?” Grady lifted an eyebrow.

“After watching him in action as a businessman and how ruthless he can be with someone he cares a great deal for,” she said pointedly to Grady, “how do you think the next fifty years of my life will be married to someone like him.”

“The same as mine being married to Everly,” he grinned widely at her slap. “Hey, she’s almost as ruthless as he is. Do what I do. Just go along for the ride.”

“It’s not easy, Grady,” she whispered turning her head away and staring at the ceiling. “He hired me.”

“I talked to him about it, you know. Your version of events is so different from his.”

“What do you mean?” She turned her head back to him.

“I mean, he insists it was not an employment contract. He said in his opinion it was the same as a pre-nuptial agreement with a marriage.”

“What?” She sat up and stared at him. “I don’t understand.”

“He explained he had asked you to give up your entire life and dedicate it to him. The same way a wife would have a monthly spousal support for expenses and shopping, he gave you an agreed upon amount. He said the contract was even titled a co-habitation agreement. He said the biggest part for him was to ensure the NDA was signed. He cared more about his privacy than anything else.”

“You’re right,” she sighed dramatically.

“I am?”

“Yes, his version and mine are completely different.” She folded her arms over his chest. “Even on my last day with him back then, we had a discussion about how I was being paid to be there.”

“I don’t know,” Grady reached and took her hand from the seat between them and squeezed her fingers, “all I can tell you is I believe him when he says you were never a hired escort like you thought. I think he cared for you then and cares for you now.”

“Can we not talk about this any longer?” she sighed quietly, feeling frustrated.

“How can you not believe he cared for you?”

“The contract was ending Grady and he wasn’t going to extend it.”

“Maybe not but please don’t let the pain of your past destroy your chance at love and happiness, Bobbie. I trust my instincts and my gut tells me he is a good man. One who will take care you and the twins and he will love and respect you. You might not love him still but it’s not to say you won’t grow to love him again.”

“I’m scared Grady,” she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

“Good,” he said earnestly. “It will keep you from making mistakes like you did before. It will keep you from blindly trusting and it will keep you from jumping to conclusions. Question him. Talk to him. Demand from him. Make him earn your love. You’re worth it, my little not-sister. I want you to have it all and I think he can help. You had too many miscommunications back then.”

“Thanks Grady,” she squeezed his fingers. “I’m so tired after the weekend and today. Today was insanity. Holy s**t he was intense. There were times I was glad this was a friendly buyout because I think I’d piss myself to see him do a hostile takeover.”

Grady chuckled, “he is pretty intense. He’s brilliant too. There is nothing he sets out to accomplish he doesn’t get, I’m sure of it. Stubborn bastard.”

“Try being on the receiving end of that,” she gave a low snort.

“I’d be bent over every piece of furniture he owned,” Grady chortled as Bobbie smacked at him furiously.

“You’re nasty.”

“I blame my wife. She’s corrupted me.”

“Uh-huh.” Bobbie laughed as the car pulled up to the hotel. “I wonder how the kids were for Nana Prue today.”

Grady slid out of the car and shot her a grin over his shoulder, “definitely not good. Lark was pissed off last night she had to stay in with us instead of going to Ollie and Max to be with her their new dad. She definitely was going to give everyone a run for the money today.”

Bobbie nodded to the doorman and noted the concierge waving at her as soon as they entered the hotel. She looked to Grady with a worried expression, “now what?”

She walked to the counter and the woman pulled her to the side and then waved to a man who stood to the side out of sight. “Ms. Caron, this is Riggs. Mr. Villeneuve asked me to make introductions.”

“Riggs?” Bobbie turned to face him. “What can I do for you?”

“Ms. Caron, Mr. Villeneuve had an unexpected guest arrive a few moments ago. He asked me to relay a message to please not return to the rooms yet.”

“Excuse me?” Bobbie instantly felt ill. Did he have a woman up there?

“What do you mean a guest?” Grady put his hand on Bobbie’s waist and pulled her to his side protectively.

“Mr. Moreno arrived just ahead of you and was throwing a fit over the events of today. He took him upstairs to deal with him. Bobbie,” the man gave a shrug as he used her first name, “I’ve known Olivier since I was five. He’s my best friend. He wants to keep you and the kids as far away from Gael as possible for as long as possible. Gael is unscrupulous. If he knows Olivier has a son, he’ll lose his mind. Olivier is just asking for some time to get rid of his grandfather and then he’ll be with you. I promise.” He put his hand to cup her shoulder and Grady’s at the same time.

“What do we do? If the kids see Olivier here and he doesn’t go to them, they’ll be upset.” Bobbie looked to Grady with a worried expression.

“Can I make a suggestion?” Riggs asked quietly.

“Sure.”

“There is a shop around the corner where kids can make their own teddy bears or stuffed dolls. I take my niece whenever I’m in town. Henri and I,” he motioned to a man standing near the elevators, “would be happy to discretely escort you and the Hoffmans and let the kids go nuts in a toy store at Olivier’s expense.” Riggs winked conspiratorially at her. “I may have already set it up just in the event you would agree.”

Bobbie nodded, “Okay.”

Grady pulled his phone out and dialled his wife, “hey babe. Listen we have a situation. It seems the Olivier’s grandfather made an appearance here at the hotel. Olivier would like us to take them off-site for a little bit. Can you meet us outside?” He nodded and then grinned at something she said, “yes love, I will buy you a huge glass of wine later.”

Bobbie grinned and then looked to Riggs, “they were definitely assholes all day.”

Riggs grinned back, “I’ve been around most of the day. Earlier your kids got into a shoving match which resulted in the younger Ms. Hoffman getting shoved into the pool.” When Grady g*****d Riggs’ grin grew wide as he continued, “Your son argued about wearing his glasses about twenty times but the best thing I witnessed all day was your daughter, Lark,” he squeezed Grady’s shoulder, “who decided she wanted to practice her singing in the middle of the museum because the acoustics were fantastic. She gave a hell of a rendition of Let it Go at the top of her lungs and when her grandmother asked her to stop, she climbed a statue and sang something called Rotten to the Core. She’s exceptionally talented.”

“I owe my wife a bottle of wine,” Grady sighed dramatically, “and my mother a bottle of Jack.”

“You buy the wine. I’ll buy the Jack?” Bobbie offered and he agreed and hugged her to her side.

Riggs gave a gentle smile, “one other thing. See those two men over there? They are Moreno’s men. He also has three outside. We are going to keep you safe, but we would prefer, if at all possible, the kids be rushed through here and not in their view. They know me so they’re studying our conversation trying to figure out who you are. I’m going to cause a bit of a distraction with his men so Henri can begin escorting you and the kids out. We just don’t want Moreno’s guys seeing the kids in Olivier’s hotel. Some of his guys have been with Moreno since Olivier was a small boy. They would take one look at the twins and know exactly who they are.”

“He’s going to know eventually. We can’t hide them forever.”

“You and I agree on this, Bobbie, but Olivier does not, and he pays me a ton of money to run his security team so I’m going to do what he wants. Please work with me. When Henri starts down the street, let him lead you to the toy store. I have two guards already there.”

“Fine, but it’s bullshit,” Bobbie grunted angrily and followed Grady away from Riggs after putting their belongings with the concierge to take to their rooms after. She stomped out of the hotel back into the parking area. Bobbie moved to sit on a concrete wall surrounding a garden and m****d furiously at Grady. “This is dumb.”

“Hey,” Grady smiled at her softly, “take a breath, Bobbie. Olivier doesn’t do anything without purpose. If he has a reason for keeping you and the kids hidden from Moreno for a bit, then let’s wait for his explanation. Okay?”

“Okay,” she nodded, “you’re right.”

“Remember what we talked about in the car. Ask the questions. He’ll tell you. Just ask him what his reasoning is and I’m sure he’ll let you know. You don’t have to just accept everything, but you do need to trust him and give him an opportunity to explain.”

She gave an impatient nod and then looked up with a smile as the kids tore into the yard. She noted Henri had come out just ahead of them and nod at Grady. “I think we’re supposed to follow him.”

“Then let’s follow him.” Grady waved at her to precede him down the sidewalk.

They met up with the quintet and started walking down the street a discrete distance from Henri.

“Mom, mom, where are we going?” Ollie asked as she tugged on her arm. “Where’s my dad? Why isn’t he coming?”

“He’s my dad too!” Max shouted at her.

“Oh my god,” Bobbie g*****d with frustration ten seconds in. “Stop both of you stop. We’re going to a toy store.”

“But we want to see daddy,” Ollie stomped her foot.

“He’s busy and will meet up with us,” Grady swung Lark up in his arms to carry her on his shoulders.

“It’s not fair,” Max pouted. “Lark gets her dad. I’m not going without him!”

“Me either!” Ollie shrieked.

Bobbie spun on her heel and grabbed both kids by the wrists impatiently, “listen and listen to me well. Dad would be here if he could. Something important came up and he feels it’s really important for us to leave the hotel for a little bit and he’ll come to us when he can. No more temper tantrums or the visit to the toy store is going to be window shopping only and not one thing to be bought. Am I understood?”

Ollie shrieked and marched ahead with Max at her heels.

Grady raced after them with Lark and he caught up easily.

“What is going on, Bobbie?” Everly hooked her arm through Bobbie’s.

“Remember my text from this morning about how Olivier swooped in and bought Waterman’s company out from under his grandfather’s grip?”

“Yes.”

“The old man apparently showed up at the hotel losing his s**t. Olivier was worried you would bring the kids down, and Moreno would be made aware of his great-grandchildren. He didn’t want it to happen yet. He suggested we go to the toy store until he gets rid of the old man.”

“Moreno is a snake,” Prue said with a shrug. “The longer Olivier keeps the kids hidden from him the better.”

“Is it? If he replaces out Olivier kept him from him purposefully it could make him angrier and dirtier.”

“True. What’s his reasoning?” Everly questioned curiously.

“I have no idea.” Bobbie g*****d. “Grady told me to trust him for now and ask him about it later.”

“I swear Grady wants to bone your boyfriend,” Everly twisted her lips with a shake of her head. “I’d be worried if I didn’t know how straight my husband is.”

Bobbie giggled when Prue made a gagging sound. “What’s the matter Prue?”

“It’s bad enough I have to hear about it when my son wants to have s*x with his wife. Now I have to hear how he wants to have s*x with your boyfriend. I’d like to remind everyone, he,” she pointed to the bald man ahead with three kids hanging off him, “came out of my v****a thirty-seven years ago. I birthed him. I do not want to know where his little pecker dreams of going.”

“It’s not little.”

“Ditto.”

The women giggled as Everly, and Bobbie spoke over each other. After a short ten-minute walk, they reached the toy shop Riggs had described and Bobbie was surprised to see it was more of a boutique than she had expected.

“Oh my gosh, this place is adorable,” Everly said as she stepped in behind her.

Bobbie looked around, “why is this place not packed to the walls with customers?”

“Because your boyfriend paid the store owner to close it up only for him,” Grady grinned and thumbed in Henri’s direction. “Apparently, the kids have free reign to do what they want, and Olivier is footing the bill.”

“Holy s**t,” Everly squeezed Bobbie’s hands, “okay, I have just decided I could be bought Pretty Woman style. He can just get stores closed up just for him. This is sexy-a*s rich people s**t. My panties are drenched.”

Grady smacked her a*s from behind, “remember he’s your best friend’s man. Your man is significantly less wealthy.”

“Yes, but if he closes stores out for Bobbie, she’ll invite me.”

“I definitely will,” Bobbie giggled as she swung her arm through Everly’s and moved to follow the squealing kids.

A woman met them with a wide smile, “welcome. Mr. Villeneuve asked us to make sure you are well taken care of. My name is Candice, and my role today is to help the kids build whatever stuffed toys they would like to take home with them. You four,” she waved to a seated area off to the side, “are welcome to sit and relax and leave them to me. We’re not permitted for alcoholic beverages, but we have set up a tea service for you as well as coffee and a light snack.”

“What if we want to build stuffed toys?” Bobbie asked with a frown. “I like toys.”

The woman seemed surprised at the question, “well then for sure. You’re more than welcome to do whatever you like. The more the merrier.”

“Yay!” Everly clapped and jumped up and down demonstrating where Lark and Ollie learned it from, and Bobbie giggled loudly.

Prue shook her head, “screw that. Your kids made me mental today. I’m going to sit over here,” she held up her phone, “read a book on my phone, drink tea and eat your share of the treats.”

Thirty minutes later, there was a lot of giggling and occasionally roaring of laughter as they all worked to create their own stuffed toys.

“Am I too late to join the fun?” Olivier’s voice interrupted the chaos.

“Daddy!” Ollie shrieked and raced at him, lunging full tilt. “You came, you came.”

He swung her up in his arms. “Of course, I came.” He lifted Max up too as the boy raced him and he peppered both of their faces with k****s, and they squeezed his neck tight. “I’m sorry I’m so late. I had someone I had to meet with at the hotel, but I am here now.”

Max grinned, “it’s okay Dad. We’re making our own toys. It’s really fun.”

“You’re having a good time?”

“We are.” Ollie nodded excitedly.

“Go,” he set them down, “make your toys. Make sure you use lots of stuffing, so they are super squishy.”

Bobbie watched the interaction with annoyance and walked over to him. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep Olivier. You told them you would be there by the time I got back to the hotel, and you weren’t. Then we had to take them out of the hotel, and they only wanted to wait for you.”

“I know. I apologize.”

“I’m not the one hurt.”

“Are you not?” he lifted an eyebrow at her.

“Olivier, get your s**t together. They’re eight and old enough to know when someone is full of crap. I understand you had a situation, but you sent a security guard to deal with us. They deserve more.”

She knew she was being hateful, and she hadn’t even begun to ask his reasons for being late, but she walked away from him as he moved back to the door and simply stood there. The truth was, she wanted to fling herself at him and have him hug her and tell her he’d missed her, even though they’d worked in the same room all day. Yet he was simply standing at the door watching them and not interacting with them. Not engaged with them. Just watching.

She looked to Everly with annoyance, “he’s like a wet blanket,” she whispered angrily. “What’s his issue?”

Everly shrugged, “give him a minute. He just walked from the hotel and maybe he needs to catch his breath.”

“He runs ten k every day. He’s fit.” She bit out furiously refusing to look back behind her as she grabbed a handful of stuffing and shoved it into the head of her doll.

“Why are you angry, Bobbie?” Everly asked quietly. “Is it because he was late or is it because he hasn’t swept you up and kissed you senseless yet while begging you forgive his every transgression?”

She looked to Everly expecting to see a smirk and was surprised to see her friend was quite serious.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she looked back at her doll.

“Yes, you do.”

She made a face at Everly. “You’re being silly.”

“Am I? He knows he’s in s**t with you. He’s already treading water and now he’s f****d up. You wanted him to come in an grovel and make sweeping promises. Cut the dude some slack. He went from free wheeling come and go as he pleases, to insta-family. I love you Bobbie but you’re fierce when you’re pissed. You simmer low and then you blow. Not like Ollie who is all explosion and then settles. You let it fester. Please don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Talk to him.”

“I will,” she sighed, “after our dolls are done. I’m getting hungry so we need to finish this and go get dinner.”

“Promise?” Everly pushed her.

“I promise.”

Bobbie prayed it wasn’t a promise she’d live to regret.