Page 30 of The Jaded Notes

There are so many layers to navigate in any kind of relationship with her, professional or otherwise. I’m reconsidering mentoring her.

My video conference call with her dad on Saturday replays in my mind.

I work my sleek steel pen between my fingers. “To be clear, Greg, I don’t want to be involved in any turf wars. If Livianna and Trent are being used in some game I’m unaware of, I won’t mentor either of them. I have an alliance with you. The Diamandis International Realty Group isn’t one I want to be aligned with.”

“I appreciate your loyalty.” He gives me a hard stare. “Livianna’s safety is at the forefront of my mind. I assure you, nothing is brewing under the table. The Diamandis team and my team haven’t had competing views since our truce. It’s truly a case of strange coincidences.”

“Then there are no issues with me mentoring them where we’re concerned?”

“No, Jaxon. If anything, I have a sense of relief knowing she has a watchful ally in her corner.” He tugs on his collar. “Hopefully, I can trust you with my family as you have with me.”

“On my heart.” My pulse skyrockets just talking about family. “Like my own, Livianna will be well watched over and protected.”

“The good news is she’s not nearly as…provocative. At least I don’t hear about any wild behavior anymore. She’s grown up a lot since she cut her ex out of her life. She’s one hell of a fashion designer. Try to remember that and give her a chance.”

“I was planning on it. I’m not mentoring her out of obligation to you. Her business goals have always interested me.”

I place my pen down and give him a sincere look. “You know I have an extensive sector of investments in the fashion industry, and she has a built-in platform. It’s a win-win situation.”

“I realize that. Just heed my warning and remember she pushes hard when she wants something. Be careful when you're dealing with her.”

He glances away, his shoulders falling. He stiffens again and brings his gaze back to me. “I’m holding you responsible if she runs into trouble, so take that for what it’s worth.”

That statement alone is enough to make me want to retreat, but I didn’t get where I am today by backing down from risky situations. If anything, I’ve thrived in such instances. Mentoring Livianna is no different.

A few minutes pass, and Natalie taps on the door. “Mr. Crowne?”

“Yes, Natalie.” I return to my custom-made desk. “Come in.”

Natalie pushes the door open and enters with Livianna.Livianna scans the room’s clean, linear, and unapologetically masculine modernist design. Curiosity flickers across her expression.

I stay standing. “Livianna, welcome.”

Natalie places my tea on a metal coaster on my desk, dips her head, and excuses herself. Livianna’s gaze follows Natalie and then finds mine.

“Would you like me to call you Mr. Crowne?” She hugs what seems to be a sketchbook, almost unsure of herself as she inches toward one of the saddle-tanned Italian leather chairs.

Interesting. I wasn’t expecting a timid approach. This woman always leaves me wondering who she truly is and what she’s about.

“What would you feel comfortable calling me, Livianna?”

“I don’t know. Seeing you in your domain is somewhat…intimidating.”

“Please make yourself at ease.” I gesture to her seat. “This area isn’t meant to be off-putting. If anything, it was designed to evoke clarity and focus.”

“It’s beautifully done.” She sits, crosses her sleek legs, and sends a gleam my way. “I’d like to call you Jaxon while conducting business.”

“Jaxon it is.” I settle into my chair. “Why do you find my office intimidating?”

She raises her brows. “I just had my retinas and fingerprints scanned to access this floor. When I got off the elevator, I was led down a long black corridor lit only by a constellation of pinpointed LED lights that looked like stars suspended in the void.

“My bet is they’re blended in with security cameras. Then I walk into this space and it literally smells of leather, power, and…insider secrets.”

“Livianna, I don’t take security lightly, and I like the aesthetics. That said, please relax and let’s get right to it. Tellme why you think the Crowne Ventures mentorship program should bring you on.”

“Straight to the heart of the issue. Okay, then.” She rolls back her shoulders, takes a breath, and glances down at her lap. “Livianna Grace Designs was launched a little over two years ago.”

“That’s not what I want to know about.”