Liza gives him a warm smile. “I apologize. He wouldn’t have done that if it weren’t important.”
Antoine shifts his weight, clearing his throat. “It’s not your fault. Despite our personality differences, we’re working pretty well together. Nothing unites people like a common goal.”
Liza’s smile widens. “I’m glad you’re understanding.”
“I think they loaded your bags in the car,” he says quickly. “Should we get going?”
“Sure.”
We pile into the waiting black Bentley SUV. As we make our way to the penthouse through the crawling traffic of L.A., Antoine explains the safety features of my penthouse.
“When we arrive, we need to enter your thumbprint with the local IT team. It’ll ensure you’re able to get inside the building. The only people who can go past the biometric gates are the people who’re in the database. The elevator’s the same way. It only goes to the floor where your unit’s registered. Since Dominic splurged, he bought the whole floor—his penthouse and a unit next to it.
“I don’t like that there are so many tall buildings around, but your Russian doesn’t believe Andy’ll resort to hurting you from distance. He thinks Andy will want it personal and hurt you face to face.”
“Antoine!” My warning shoots out like a gunshot. There’s no reason to worry Liza with unnecessary details.
“Don’t,” Liza says. “I’d rather know the whole truth than some sugarcoated lies designed to give me a false sense of security.”
“We’ll simply buy all the empty units around the penthouse,” I say.
She gasps. “No. That’s completely unnecessary. I agree one hundred percent with Tolyan.”
“Liza, I can’t risk your safety.”
“There’s no risk, because Tolyan’s right. Besides, it makes it a little bit easier, don’t you think? All I have to do is make sure Andy doesn’t get too close to me. And he’s bound to make mistakes because he’s too emotional if he’s taking it personally.”
“Don’t you think when things are personal, it gives people extra incentive?” I ask.
“Maybe, but it’s balanced out by frustration, impatience and inability to think clearly.”
What she’s saying isn’t entirely wrong, but she seems to have forgotten that things being personal between us is what motivated me to build my empire and plow through the rough patches. But telling her that will only worry her, so I bite my tongue.
Antoine looks in the rearview mirror, and my gaze meets his. Although I can’t see his eyes behind the shades, I know he agrees with me.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Elizabeth
At the top of a luxurious new building, Dominic’s penthouse is close to his office. The lobby gleams with shiny marble and professionally cleaned leather couches.
While Dominic deals with a call from his office, Antoine has the security team take my thumbprint. He wasn’t kidding about that at all. A skinny, pimply young man in a black uniform glances at me and flushes until his face is beet red.
“Add her to the Dominic King residence,” Antoine says.
A beat of silence.
“Eric, you listening?”
“What?” The man blinks. “Oh, right. Dominic King residence. Got it.” Eric’s flush turns darker.
“Never seen a pretty blonde before?” Antoine teases.
“No. Yes. I mean, yeah, sure…but never one as pretty as this.” Eric’s owlish brown eyes dart in my direction. “Sorry.”
I smile. “No need to apologize for thinking I’m pretty.”
“You’re lucky she’s nice,” Antoine says.