Going Down Easy (Billionaire Bad Boys 1)

“Derek and Luke send their best.” Kade shook his napkin out in front of him.

“Get into a fight?” Ian asked, gesturing to Kade’s injury and the splint covering his fingers and knuckles.

Kade didn’t see the point in lying. “I took my frustration out on a wall. The wall won.” He smirked at himself, because what else could he do?

Ian laughed. “I’ve wanted to do that a few times myself.”

“How’s your beautiful wife and daughter?” Kade asked, changing the subject to one that always put Ian in a good mood.

He grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Fantastic. Riley’s pregnant again,” Ian said.

If Kade wasn’t mistaken, the other man was fucking beaming. “Congratulations. That calls for a drink.” He gestured to the waiter.

Ian ordered himself a Glenlivet on the rocks.

Kade ordered his usual. “Macallan 18, neat, filled three quarters of the way full. I’ll also take a fresh bottle of natural spring water, room temperature, and a straw please.”

Ian raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It’d been years since Kade and Ian had shared a meal with drinks ordered, and the last time, they were college kids drinking beer.

“And your daughter?” Kade asked.

“Adorable, as you saw last time you were in town.”

Kade laughed because Ian’s little girl had indeed stolen the show at his mother’s second wedding, as the flower girl.

The waiter returned a few minutes later with their drinks. He placed Kade’s glass on the table, followed by a bottle of water and straw.

“May I?” the waiter asked.

Kade nodded.

The waiter poured water into a separate glass. Once the man left them alone, Kade took the straw and dipped it into the water, then placed exactly four drops into his scotch.

He raised his glass and spoke. “To your family,” he said, wanting to express his honest feelings before they delved into more serious business matters. “To their health and happiness.”

Ian clinked his glass. “Thanks, man.”

Kade inclined his head.

The waiter started to walk over, and Kade waved him away.

“Let’s talk first. That way we can enjoy the meal,” he said to Ian, hoping that whatever his friend wanted was something Kade could address and put behind them.

Ian sobered, leaning in closer to keep their conversation private. “Listen, I know you’re doing your damnedest to avoid a lawsuit with Julian that could derail Blink going public at a solid opening rate on the exchange.”

Kade inclined his head, listening. Neither confirming nor denying. For now.

“You know I’m more than willing to ride it out. I trust the three of you. But the reason I asked to meet with you alone is that my people have heard rumblings about a threat to the deal going through. Something beyond Julian’s claim on partnership.”

Kade narrowed his gaze. “Like what?” Because he was in the thick of it, and he hadn’t heard a damned thing … except the hidden landmine from his past.

But unless and until they completely shut Julian down, he wouldn’t dare use the date rape accusation against him. That would be a sure way to guarantee he received nothing from his supposed involvement in Blink’s infancy. He needed the leverage.

“Let’s just say there’s talk of something in your past coming back to bite you in the ass and derail the IPO. I don’t know what, but it’s enough to make me … and some of the institutional investors nervous.”

Fuck. Kade shoved a hand through his hair before lowering his arm and letting his fingers run over the glass of his watch. He wasn’t wearing the Patek, but the smoothness of the crystal beneath his fingers calmed him.

“Is there any truth to it?” Ian asked, then held up a hand before Kade could respond. “Let me rephrase. Is there anything for me to worry about?”