Only You (Sweet Torment 2)

“So organized.” He smiled and extended his arm. I took it and he escorted me out to the waiting vehicle.

“Ready for some fun tonight?” he asked, hopping in the backseat next to me.

“I’m ready to meet your business contacts and get a better understanding of the dynamics of the shipping industry. I don’t think fun is the adjective I’d use though.”

He smirked. “We’ll see about that, Red.” He leaned in so that I felt his breath skate over my bare shoulder when he whispered, “I hear there is going to be tequila.”

“Best investment I ever made,” Harris Reigncord said, tilting his gin and tonic at Leo across the room.

Harris was a billionaire who’d made his money on Wall Street years ago. He was also one of Savas Shipping’s largest shareholders. Now in his late sixties, the man seemed happy with his lot in life and was nice enough. He’d also been drinking for the past hour, so that probably helped.

“Yes, there are some exciting new developments on the horizon, and the way Savas Shipping is expanding, the stock is reflecting its growth prospects. It’s only going up from here,” I replied, and took a sip of my champagne. If I wanted to mingle and fit in with the elite, I had to be able to keep up with them in a conversation. Which was why I had done my research about Savas Shipping.

From stocks to stockholders, I knew who was who and basic key discussion points. When I was in politics and the governor had his meetings, events, and galas like this, I had to do the same thing. Know who people were and be able to blend in like I belonged.

“I agree. It’s been, what? Over a three percent rise in . . .”

“Eight percent in two years, which is double what the broader shipping market has been showing.”

Harris raised his brow. “My, my, sounds like I’d be silly not to increase my stake.”

“You said it, sir, not me.” I smiled and he laughed. Talking stocks wasn’t my forte. I knew just enough to not sound like an idiot, but I was running out of material quickly. Time for a subject change.

“I can see why Leo snatched you up, Miss . . . ?”

“Levine,” I responded.

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard a lot about you,” a voice from behind me said. “Harris, how are you?”

“Great, Colin. Good to see you.”

I frowned at the man who had just interrupted, but recovered quickly. Colin. As in Colin Davis? Davis Shipping was Savas’s biggest competitor and, based on the plethora of information I’d been left, that was the only Colin I’d come across.

“I was just talking with Miss Levine here,” Harris said.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Colin said, and kissed my hand. “I’m Colin.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“I heard stock trading and couldn’t help but venture this way,” Colin said, and I wished I had a bit more information on him. Like who his main shareholders were. Because by the way he glanced between me, Harris, then to Leo, I got the feeling there was some competition afoot, beyond the actual shipping aspect of business.

“Miss Levine was just telling me some numbers, impressive numbers”—Harris raised his glass to me—“about Savas Shipping. When the market opens, I just may have to buy up some more.”

Colin raised a brow at me. “How delightful.”

I smiled the best I could, but something about Colin made my douche alert go off. He was obviously wealthy and ran a business, but there was a shady persona about him, one I’d come into contact

with before with politicians. Like they were always plotting something and you never knew when they’d strike.

“Looks like you’re settling into your role well, Miss Levine,” Colin said.

Though I figured Leo’s assistant, Cathy, must be known by Leo’s associates, I didn’t think my position at Savas Shipping was anything newsworthy.

Colin was younger than I’d imagined. Mid to late thirties maybe. Then again, Leo was relatively young. Only thirty-one. Funny I knew that after reading it from a file rather than basic info you gathered on a man you were sleeping with. Scratch that. Had slept with. Once.

Still, with a family legacy of shipping, you inherited young sometimes.

“I am enjoying my position,” I said.