The Heiress CEO

Chapter Nine

Caden stepped out of the taxi and straightened his suit before stepping onto the carpet that had been rolled out for the elite gathering. The media was in full force; however, it had been weeks since Caden last appeared in front of them and weeks before his family would return, so none gave him a glance as he walked past. He probably didn’t make much of an impression arriving in a taxi either, but he didn’t mind.

Eventually, the media would realize he was in town. Public appearances were part of life, so Caden was used to them, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed them. He simply bared with it.

Passing the media frenzy without being recognized, Caden made his way inside. It was already getting crowded as he stepped up to the bar and requested his usual cognac. He had no intension of getting drunk and knew he could nurse this drink for most of the night.

“Caden!”

He turned to see Jessica eagerly waving to him. Smiling, he joined her, giving her a quick hug. Around them, he heard obscure mutters about their familiarity. Clearly, their observers still didn’t recognize him.

“There you are!” Jude said as he approached and immediately embraced his cousin. “We had a bet going about whether you’d show up or not.”

“This after hassling me all week about remembering when it was?”

“Caden!” March greeted as he and Rose arrived.

“Grand-père coming?” Caden asked.

“No. He’s watching Toby,” Jude chuckled. “He never liked making public appearances anyway.”

“That’s true,” Caden agreed.

More people were taking notice of the DaLair’s small group. By the increased chatter, it seemed they were finally realizing who he was. Caden casually sipped his drink. He knew his anonymity couldn’t last forever, but he still cherished those five minutes.

* * *

Alexis stepped out of the vehicle, accepting her brother’s hand. Sean escorted her down the red carpet. Several steps behind, Theo followed with his latest piece of arm candy. This one was blonde with a fit, curvy form, wearing a strapless evening gown.

While the blonde had gone with an eye-catching red gown, Alexis chose something more understated: an off-the-shoulder, blue one. Her hair she left down and flowing, giving her a mature, sophisticated look. She was the new face of Prescott Industries and she wanted to inspire confidence in the company as well as herself.

For the past several weeks, Theo had been going out with a parade of such women. Alexis honestly couldn’t tell them apart anymore and never bothered to learn their names as she never saw the same woman twice. She knew her brother was working through some things, but ignoring the real issue wasn’t doing him any good. Now that they were in charge, he was going to have to face his demons.

“Alexis! Over here!”

She paused, smiling, letting the media take several pictures before moving on. It was all part of the game. As the face of Prescott Industries, she had an image to maintain. Alexis really didn’t mind, though attending parties would be more interesting if she was escorted by someone besides her brother. But her brother was a safe choice.

The moment she appeared with anyone else, there would be speculation about the relationship. Any perspective partner would be raked through the media coals. He would have to be prepared for that. It was a lot of pressure and he couldn’t c***k under it either. Alexis refused to get into romantic entanglements that could jeopardize the company. So, for now, it was best to be escorted by her brother.

“So, when are you going to have the talk?” Sean asked as they entered the benefit, glaring at his brother who was still eating it up in front of the cameras.

“I thought you were,” Alexis said.

“Hey, you’re CEO. I’m just computers,” Sean said. Neither of them looked forward to the conversation that needed to happen.

“Has he said anything to you? About what happened?” Alexis asked.

“Only that he f****d up,” Sean sighed. “He was tired of the whole long-distance thing, but apparently she didn’t take it well.”

Alexis frowned as they each accepted a glass of champagne and slowly mingled.

“I mean, I get it,” Sean said, “long-distance relationships are hard, but he isn’t happier.”

Alexis nodded. Theo and Aria had always kept their relationship light given the fact she spent so much of her time in Paris. They also didn’t want their families getting involved, so they relied on their siblings to keep their parents from meddling. But now Alexis was beginning to wonder if she had underestimated just how close the two had become before her brother broke it off.

An intervention was probably long overdue, but she shoved her concerns into the back of her mind for another day. Tonight was about pleasant conversation with no drama or surprises.

* * *

“Theo is so sweet!” the blonde gushed.

“Yeah, he is,” Alexis agreed, trying to keep her voice even as she washed her hands and checked her makeup. She had come into the bathroom for a much-needed break, but Theo’s woman followed her and wanted to chat.

“I think he’ll totally pop the question tonight,” the blonde blissfully smiled. “I can’t wait! And then we’ll be sisters!”

Alexis tried not to grimace as she forced a smile, “Right?”

“I’m so excited! Theo is absolutely perfect! So handsome and tall and charming. He treats me like a princess. And so good in bed…”

“Whoa, okay,” Alexis cut her off. “I really don’t need to know that about my brother. Deal?”

“Okay, fine,” the blonde giggled. “I’m just so happy!”

Alexis endured her for another minute before heading to the door. The blonde followed, hurrying to return to Theo. Alexis took a moment for a deep breath and prepared herself for another hour. Seriously, if her brother insisted on these flings, he could at least find one with a little less air between her ears.

She snagged a glass of champagne from a passing server and slowly walked back to where she left her brothers when a familiar voice punctuated with a soft French accent made her pause. There was no way it was possible. Turning, she couldn’t contain the small gasp as her gaze fell on a familiar redhead.

It had only been a few weeks since she saw him, but his carrot-top hair had grown out, giving him small wavy curls she knew he hated, but she found cute. He wore a dark blue suit that was almost black yet still allowed him to be distinctive among the gathering and, of course, he wore no tie, leaving his collar open.

Though he was impeccably dressed, there was a natural, almost casual, way to him that always set him apart from his peers. Alexis wondered what it was about DaLair men that gave them such an easy charm. It was magnetic and drew others in. She couldn’t help but notice several women were watching him much too closely.

Alexis frowned at the ladies trying to catch his eye, wanting nothing more than to tear them apart. The potency of her feelings unnerved her. Where was that bubbling up from? She had no right to feel possessive over Caden, but, at the same time, she also felt she had a proprietary claim.

Stepping closer, she waited for a break in the conversation before saying, “Caden?”

He paused halfway from taking a sip of his drink which he had probably been nursing since his arrival. She knew he hated the feeling of being drunk and, most of the time, only ever had one drink. He would sip it throughout the night.

Turning toward her, his green eyes softened and a relaxed smile graced his face. She didn’t know why, but her heart fluttered. It was the same expression he always had, a small, easy-going smile reserved for family and friends, but his eyes seemed to have an added sparkle as they settled on her.

“Hi, Lex.”