Page 142 of Bling

Chapter Thirty-Five

Garrett held Isabelle against his chest as they stood in the Solitaire conference room with the rest of the Solitaire board. It had been four weeks since he’d collared Isabelle and they were blossoming as a couple.

Now, though, they stood in an impromptu board meeting with the others at Solitaire to discuss the fact that Isabelle had nearly been outed. Maddox was killed before they could figure out how he knew about Solitaire enough to leak it to a gossip reporter, and they were still no closer to finding out.

Many were convinced they had been hacked somehow and an argument had broken out about what to do about the leak. Lance was still unsure how anyone had penetrated his system and gotten access to private member data, but it had happened and now it needed to be cleaned up.

He traced the thin diamond necklace he’d put around her neck as he listened to the bickering, happy that she’d knelt for his collar.

“I just don’t see how bringing a stranger in is going to help anything,” Lance said. “We have more information than we did and now I know to start looking into Grant Sterling. I can keep us secure. We don’t need anyone else.

Austin put an arm on his shoulder. “Calm down, Lance. Nobody is saying you’re incapable of keeping us safe. We all trust you. We’re just suggesting that a fresh pair of eyes isn’t a dreadful thing in this situation. Legally, we’re running out of time to track this down before we need to consider shutting down the club to avoid lawsuits.”

Garrett could see that Lance was troubled. He took great pride in the cyber security system he’d constructed to keep Solitaire’s private member information safe. It was his baby and right now, it felt like someone was telling him his baby was ugly.

Eli, never one to mince words, rapped his fist on the table. “I think it’s time for us to move on folks. We’ve voted, and even if we hadn’t, I would use my executive privilege as director of the board to make this decision. We’re bringing someone in to help us solve this problem. If there’s nothing else we need to discuss, I have to be on a plane to London in a few hours and I would like to spend some time with my wife before I go.”

Everyone murmured their agreement and the impromptu board meeting split up.

Garrett gripped Isabelle’s hand as he tugged her to the car.

“Are you sure we have to leave today? I’m worried my sister isn’t ready for me to leave her alone.”

“Isabelle,” Garrett warned. “Your sister is a grown woman with plenty of help around her, and her children are capable young women who can take care of themselves. We’re going to Vegas, end of story. Hunter is ready to talk about where you’re going to spend the next two years and you deserve to take this step. You also deserve a break. And yes, I know how much you hate that word.”

“Yes, Sir. But don’t think you’re going to talk me into eloping. My dad may have accepted you into our family, but he will never forgive me if I don’t have a proper catholic wedding.”

Garrett chuckled. “Don’t worry, Doll. I already promised Jacob he would know when I was ready to propose. For now, we’re going to focus on you fulfilling your commitment to Hunter so you can have your dream of owning your own hotel sooner rather than later. Just know that I will propose someday.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes, but he could see the glint in her eyes. She was excited to marry him someday. For now, he was going to be content to have his collar around her neck.

“No ring. Not yet,” Isabelle said as she fingered the delicate diamond necklace around her neck. I’m pretty sure this is enough bling to last me for a while.”

“Funny you should say that,” he said, tucking her to his side. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

She giggled and shoved away from him to look up at him. “I better be the only bling you have, Mister,”

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