Seducing the Billionaire's Wife(9)
Drew held up his hands, completely enjoying this rare torture of his buddy. Usually, Blake had all the quips and comebacks. “That doesn’t sound very princely. Is royalty allowed to use such crude language?”
“I’m not royalty,” Blake grumbled. “So bugger off.”
“Can’t. Need your help.”
Blake’s blue eyes widened slightly. “Really?”
Drew pulled out his phone and emailed Blake the file that had set everything into motion. “Check your inbox.”
Blake glanced at his screen and after a moment, he started chuckling. A few minutes later, his chuckle turned into a full-fledged laugh. “William’s quite serious?”
“Oh no. I shared that with you because my dad is full of shits and giggles.”
“Right, then.” Blake pocketed his phone, poured two glass of wine, and then handed one to Drew. “Here’s to your upcoming nuptials.”
Drew almost threw the contents of the glass in Blake’s face to wipe off that ridiculous smirk. “That’s all you got?”
“Afraid so.” Blake tipped back his glass. “Cheers.”
“You’re kidding. This cannot be the same man who stared down Romanov when that asshole refused to budge on—”
“Romanov was willing. Sebastian only needed to see that I was willing to walk away,” Blake said smoothly. “William Montgomery is not a man I care to go up against.”
“Which is why you partnered with him.”
Blake smiled into his glass. “And you. Never forget that I am the best decision MI ever made.”
“How can I?” At first, Drew had hated Blake York on sight with his smooth ways and pretentious manners. Until Drew discovered that all those smooth ways paved the way for multi-million dollar deals. York could talk a man out of his last penny and be thanked for it.
As for Blake’s pretentious manner—it wasn’t an act. He was genuinely that courteous to everyone. Blake was also loyal to a fault and couldn’t be persuaded to go to T&G Securities—no matter how hard or underhanded they courted him. He had forwarded every email, every text message, and voice mail to human resources so they could learn what their competitor was up to when it came to hiring practices.
In Drew’s book, that made Blake York more invaluable than the multi-million dollar deals he negotiated. And once Drew learned he could count on Blake to put Montgomery Industry’s interests above his own, he never questioned his father’s decision to hire the man again.
“What will you do?” Blake asked as he sat down.
“What can I do?”
Blake canted his head from side to side. “Narrow down the best possible candidates and let me choose your bride-to-be.”
“Only if I can pick yours,” Drew said.
“Mine’s a very short list. Have at it.”
“How short?”
“One name.”
“That’s not a list.”
Blake smiled and tipped his glass slightly, as if in a parody of a toast. “It’s a declaration of my intention.”
“You already know the woman you want to marry?” Drew asked, astonished. As far as he knew, Blake wasn’t seriously involved with anyone. “Have I met her? Who does she work for?”
“Yes.”
“Just yes? That tells me nothing.”
“I’m afraid we’ve been derailed. Let’s focus on you, shall we?” Blake set his empty glass down and steepled his hands together. “Who are your top three?”
This was why the man was so good. He made his opponent want to give up. “I haven’t—”
“You have. I know how that devious mind of yours works. During your meeting with William, you already thought of ten women and discarded half.” Blake tilted his head to one side. “I’m only asking for the top three.”
“Alexis George.”
Blake scrunched his nose. “Really? You actually have that woman in your top three?”
“She’s beautiful, sophisticated, and—”
“Would make your life miserable. Again,” Blake finished. “Next.”
“Never dated her, but we’re on friendly terms. Plus, she doesn’t need my money. So, Kate Von—”
Blake was already shaking his head before Drew could finish saying the woman’s name. “To merge your two families would cause massive complications.”
“Can’t have that.” Drew took a breath. “There’s always—”
“No more exes,” Blake said flatly. “They’re an ex for a reason. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Look. You asked for my top three. I’m giving them to you.”