Wild Violet (The Vi Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 1) by Vivian Winslow Page B
Authors: Vivian Winslow
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it were that easy. Unfortunately, we have a father in common who seems to believe his legacy rests with us.”
“With me.” Azahr corrects.
“Are the rest of your siblings as narcissistic as you?”
Once again he takes the glass out of her hand, but this time he finishes her drink. “They don’t have the brains or the balls to do what I do.”
Vi runs her eyes over Azahr. “I think you have a rather high opinion of both.”
He shakes his head and tosses several bills on the bar. “You don’t belong here. I suggest you find a line of work outside of Rai Industries.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I will,” Vi replies. As he turns to leave, she adds, “By the way, you’re not hard to read. You may have Father fooled, but I can see this loyalty thing is an act. You better hope he retires before he realizes it.”
Chapter 38
Vi stirs her drink absently, waiting for time to pass, feeling deflated from Azahr’s insults. No matter how much she reassures herself that his words don’t bother her, they do. What bothers her more, though, is why her father insists on bringing her into the company if Azahr has a clear line to take over. What does he want from me?
Goosebumps form as she feels someone edge close to her. “Azahr Rai isn’t someone you want to piss off. I hear he’s the vindictive type.”
Hearing her half-brother’s name, Vi glances up at the speaker. Gazing down at her are the most spectacular eyes she’s ever seen. The gold flecks in his light green eyes make them appear golden under the dim lights of the bar.
His lips curl up into a smile, showing a dimple in his chin. Clearly he’s aware of the effect he has on women. Vi catches herself staring and looks down into her glass. “Can’t say I know him well enough to say differently,” she remarks, taking a sip.
“Your conversation appeared quite intense—almost like a lovers’ spat.” He twists his hands around his Breitling watch while he awaits Vi’s response. She notices his skin is a light brown like hers. He must have at least one parent who’s Indian.
She raises an eyebrow at him, the mere notion of her ever sleeping with a pudgy, disgusting man like her half-brother makes her want to laugh and vomit. The former wins as she laughs quietly. “Fortunately, Azahr and I aren’t tied to each other in that way, or in any way really.” Except for sharing a father. But this stranger doesn’t need to know that. It’s none of his business.
He perches himself onto the empty seat next to Vi.
“I tell you that he’s not my lover, and you presume that you can join me? I could be expecting someone, or desire to be alone.”
“It’s either A, B, or C. I’ll sit here until you give me an answer,” he replies, leaning in close. “Although I’ve seen you in here alone every night this week. Same seat, same drink.” He motions for the bartender who promptly arrives to take his order. Ketel One straight up.
“Ah, so you’re a stalker then?”
“More like an opportunist. If I see something that appeals to me, then why not go for it.”
“I’m a person, not an object.”
He nods. “A very pretty person with a quick mind. The whole package.”
“Still not flattering.” Vi gazes at him for a minute. “Well, you have the pretty part down since you look like a Bollywood actor. The intelligent bit remains to be seen,” she replies nonchalantly.
He still hasn’t lost his smile, which is becoming tempting. “What if I tell you that I have an M.B.A. from Wharton?”
Vi chuckles. “Apparently that makes you a dime a dozen in this city.”
“And I did my undergrad at the University of Chicago.”
Vi perks up a little. “Then you’re a hot nerd.”
His smile becomes wider. “Funny. Most don’t find that bit interesting.”
“I’m not most people,” she quips. Vi shifts in her seat. This evening just might end better than it started.
“Why would you presume that I was Azahr’s mistress?”
He shrugs, running his
“With me.” Azahr corrects.
“Are the rest of your siblings as narcissistic as you?”
Once again he takes the glass out of her hand, but this time he finishes her drink. “They don’t have the brains or the balls to do what I do.”
Vi runs her eyes over Azahr. “I think you have a rather high opinion of both.”
He shakes his head and tosses several bills on the bar. “You don’t belong here. I suggest you find a line of work outside of Rai Industries.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I will,” Vi replies. As he turns to leave, she adds, “By the way, you’re not hard to read. You may have Father fooled, but I can see this loyalty thing is an act. You better hope he retires before he realizes it.”
Chapter 38
Vi stirs her drink absently, waiting for time to pass, feeling deflated from Azahr’s insults. No matter how much she reassures herself that his words don’t bother her, they do. What bothers her more, though, is why her father insists on bringing her into the company if Azahr has a clear line to take over. What does he want from me?
Goosebumps form as she feels someone edge close to her. “Azahr Rai isn’t someone you want to piss off. I hear he’s the vindictive type.”
Hearing her half-brother’s name, Vi glances up at the speaker. Gazing down at her are the most spectacular eyes she’s ever seen. The gold flecks in his light green eyes make them appear golden under the dim lights of the bar.
His lips curl up into a smile, showing a dimple in his chin. Clearly he’s aware of the effect he has on women. Vi catches herself staring and looks down into her glass. “Can’t say I know him well enough to say differently,” she remarks, taking a sip.
“Your conversation appeared quite intense—almost like a lovers’ spat.” He twists his hands around his Breitling watch while he awaits Vi’s response. She notices his skin is a light brown like hers. He must have at least one parent who’s Indian.
She raises an eyebrow at him, the mere notion of her ever sleeping with a pudgy, disgusting man like her half-brother makes her want to laugh and vomit. The former wins as she laughs quietly. “Fortunately, Azahr and I aren’t tied to each other in that way, or in any way really.” Except for sharing a father. But this stranger doesn’t need to know that. It’s none of his business.
He perches himself onto the empty seat next to Vi.
“I tell you that he’s not my lover, and you presume that you can join me? I could be expecting someone, or desire to be alone.”
“It’s either A, B, or C. I’ll sit here until you give me an answer,” he replies, leaning in close. “Although I’ve seen you in here alone every night this week. Same seat, same drink.” He motions for the bartender who promptly arrives to take his order. Ketel One straight up.
“Ah, so you’re a stalker then?”
“More like an opportunist. If I see something that appeals to me, then why not go for it.”
“I’m a person, not an object.”
He nods. “A very pretty person with a quick mind. The whole package.”
“Still not flattering.” Vi gazes at him for a minute. “Well, you have the pretty part down since you look like a Bollywood actor. The intelligent bit remains to be seen,” she replies nonchalantly.
He still hasn’t lost his smile, which is becoming tempting. “What if I tell you that I have an M.B.A. from Wharton?”
Vi chuckles. “Apparently that makes you a dime a dozen in this city.”
“And I did my undergrad at the University of Chicago.”
Vi perks up a little. “Then you’re a hot nerd.”
His smile becomes wider. “Funny. Most don’t find that bit interesting.”
“I’m not most people,” she quips. Vi shifts in her seat. This evening just might end better than it started.
“Why would you presume that I was Azahr’s mistress?”
He shrugs, running his
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