The Stopover (The Miles High Club, #1)(86)

“Who are they?” I whisper.

“The Ferrara family.”

I frown in question.

“They own the Gazette and Ferrara Media.”

My eyes widen. “Oh.” I go back to watching them as they all sit around the table. Three sons and a mother and father, Italian by the looks of it. Gorgeous-looking people . . . all dark hair and brown eyes. Only one son has a date; the other two are alone. The eldest son looks over and smiles when he sees us. He waves and dips his head. Jameson dips his head back in a polite but cold gesture.

“Who’s that?” I whisper.

“Gabriel Ferrara,” Jameson replies as he sips his drink. Contempt drips from his every pore. “The CEO.”

My eyes widen. I can tell that there is no love lost between the two families.

CEO versus CEO.

“Emily?” a woman’s voice gasps from behind us.

We all turn to see a woman. I know her. “Athena.” I laugh as I stand. Athena is in her sixties and a woman of the world. I adore her.

“Oh my God,” she gasps as she pulls me into an embrace. “Jameson Miles, how on earth do you know Emily Foster?”

He chuckles.

“Emily has been my intern every college holiday for three years.” Athena laughs.

George looks on as if impressed.

“She wouldn’t move here for my company.” She smiles as she rubs my arm.

“What do you mean?” George asks.

“Best damn reporter I ever had,” Athena replies. “I’ve offered her a job every year, but she always turned me down, stating that Miles Media would be the only reason she would move to New York.”

I smile awkwardly. Please shut up. I’m trying to play it cool here.

“Is that so?” George smiles over at me. “Well, she’s found her place at Miles Media.”

Athena looks down at Jameson’s hand as it rests on my lap. “I can see that.” She smiles down at me. “Emily, come, I have someone I want you to meet.” She glances at Jameson. “Can I steal her for a moment, please?”

“Of course.” He kisses my hand before he lets me go. His eyes linger on my face, and I smile softly.

This man is just so . . .

Athena pulls me over to the other side of the room. “Oh my God,” she splutters as we weave between the tables. “You’re dating Jameson Miles.”

“Yes.” I laugh.

“He’s the most delicious man on the planet.” She turns back and smiles at me. “And the crankiest.” I giggle as she drags me to the bar to a group of women and men who are all standing around. “Lauren, look who’s here! Emily Foster.”

“Oh my God.” Lauren laughs as she hugs me. Lauren and I were interns together in our second year. Lauren went on to work with them. “What are you doing here?” She smiles excitedly.

“I’ve moved to New York now. I work for Miles Media.”

“Really?”

I laugh. “Yes.”

“Oh my God, we have to catch up.”

“Yes.” It would be so nice to have a friend here that I don’t work with. “Make sure we get each other’s numbers.”

I glance around, and everyone has a drink. “I’m just going to get another champagne.”

Someone grabs my elbow from behind, and I turn. I’m taken aback. It’s the tall Italian man, the CEO of the Gazette.

“Hello.” He smiles sexily down at me.

“Hi.”

“Who are you?” he asks.

I frown, and my eyes flick back to my table. Jameson is talking to Tristan. “Emily,” I reply nervously.

He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it. “My name is Gabriel Ferrara.”

“Oh.”

“And I like to take over all things owned by Jameson Miles.”

My eyes widen.

His dark eyes drop to my lips. “Women included.”





Chapter 18

“Excuse me?” I frown as I snatch my hand from his grip. “What did you say?”

He smiles sexily. “I was merely stating that you are gorgeous. Don’t be alarmed.”

“Well, don’t,” I snap.

He smiles as he sips his drink, clearly amused by my response. “Who are you?”

“Someone whose intelligence is insulted by your audacity. Goodbye, Mr. Ferrara. Go away.” I turn my back to him and take my place at the bar.

His lips come to my ear from behind. “Lovely to meet you, Emily. We will meet again. I’ll make sure of it.” His breath prickles my neck, and traitorous goose bumps scatter up my arms.

“Don’t bother,” I sneer, annoyed by my physical reaction to him.

My heart is hammering. No wonder poor Jameson is stressed to the max. He’s dealing with complete and utter snakes here.

Good grief, I’m completely rattled.

I get my drink and go back to talking to Lauren, although my mind is anywhere but on our conversation.

That fucking asshole Gabriel is sabotaging Jameson’s company and is openly making a play for his women.

Woman.

I feel outraged on his behalf, and I want to march over and tell Jameson what just happened, but then I don’t want to stress him out. But maybe that’s exactly what Gabriel wants—an open war.