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“I don’t see that happening, no,” I reply. “I did warn them about him, not like they needed any more reason to dislike him, though.”
“Hopefully they’ll trust you enough to heed said warning.”
Tanya doesn’t know how much Kace, Finn, and Elias trust me. They trust me with more than I deserve, given that I haven’t told them the truth about Mikey’s paternity yet.
They trust me with their bodies and their hearts, with their time and their kindness. There are moments when I feel like I’m not worthy of anything, but I have learned to remind myself not to think in such black and white shades. Life works on a spectrum.
“Kace! Gentlemen, good you’re all here,” Ramada says louder than necessary, prompting Tanya and me to turn around.
Derrick spots me but keeps himself calm and expressionless as Ramada motions for my men to stop by their table.
“I understand you were interested in learning more details about our project,” Derrick says to the guys, glancing over at me to ensure I can hear him. “We’re currently discussing your offer,” Kace replies politely, but I can sense the tension in his voice.
“That’s good to hear. Please know I am a man of my word, and available to answer any questions or dissolve any concerns you may have.”
“That’s a crock of bull,” I mutter.
Tanya scoffs. “Look at him trying to weasel his way into the GS inner circle.”
“So! Are we doing this or not?” Ramada asks, her gaze bouncing between Derrick and the guys.
“I’ve checked Derrick’s credentials, including the bank statements. I’m confident we know what we’re dealing with,” Leon chimes in. “You fellas have worked with me before.”
“Yes, and we are well aware of how deep your due diligence process runs,” Kace says. “It does inspire confidence when you put your muscle behind a venture.”
I can’t believe I’m hearing this. I can feel the blood draining from my face, my hands shaking. I feel like I’m going to drop my plate so I set it back onto the buffet table as I watch the exchange with crippling disbelief. Tanya’s groan isn’t helping.
“Are they serious?” she whispers.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Derrick says. “I never would’ve brought this project to you if I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure that it’s going to be a winner before the end of next year.”
“We saw your projections,” Finn replies. “A tad optimistic for my taste, but the midrange didn’t look bad.”
“We’re more realistic than most investors,” Elias adds. “Even the worst-case scenario wasn’t as concerning as I originally thought. Then again, that’s the thing with crypto—you either go big or go home.”
“We’re definitely interested,” Kace adds. The words knock the air out of my lungs. “If you can give us six- and twelve-month projections, respectively, I think we’d be willing to bring an infusion of capital to get the ball rolling.”
Derrick laughs. “Well then, this is your chance. I’ve got the right team for this, I promise. I’ve spent the last six months getting a lay of the land and a good pulse of how the market is about to evolve.”
They all nod in agreement, and I’m about to puke.
“Kace, did you have time to look over my offer for the estate, as well? My lawyers drafted quite the attractive proposal, don’t you think?” Ramada adds.
It takes a second for the words to sink in, but when they do, I lose my balance, dizziness clutching my brain tightly as I stumble against the buffet table. The sudden row of clanking dishes and cutlery trays draws the focus of everyone in the room directly onto me, and I feel like I’m going to crumble on the spot.
Instantly, Kace straightens his back when he sees me. I am losing my ability to breathe altogether, bile working its way up to the back of my tongue.
“Amaya are you okay?” he asks. Finn and Elias are already walking toward me.
Tanya catches me before I fall, and I give her a desperate look. “Get me out of here, please, right now.”
“Sure,” she says, then gives the guys a nervous grin. “Guys, leave her to me. She’s just dehydrated, don’t worry about it. I’ve got her.”
She says that sternly enough to get them to back off. Tanya’s intuitive ability to read the room and my emotions are a lifesaver.
She doesn’t need to express her concern. It’s written all over her face as she gingerly guides me out of the breakfast room and across the open-air terrace. As soon as the fresh morning breeze and the morning sun hit my face, I can almost feel my body coming back to life.
The nausea is gradually subsiding. The farther I get from Derrick, Kace and the others, the better I begin to feel.
