"I mean our company can," she corrected when he looked confused.
"And what company is that?" he asked.
"Royal Kings & Queens."
Jordan shook his head. "Never heard of it. Are you sure you're capable? It doesn't sound reasonable to hand such an important job to a company I know nothing about."
Kiara nearly scoffed. "I understand how you feel. But I can assure you—we deliver."
"Assurance isn't enough," he said, leaning back. "It's my head on a spike if anything goes wrong. I'm afraid your word, Agent K, isn't enough."
Kiara mirrored his posture, calm and steady. "With all due respect, sir, you don't have another choice. Life is risk. Wouldn't you rather risk trusting us than let Vera handle you?"
True as her words were, he wasn't about to make it easy. "For starters, I don't even know your name."
Her lips curved in amusement. "You don't need my name. Just the company's."
"Does that sound ethical to you?" His gaze sharpened. "You said this is important. How can I not know who I'm dealing with?"
She tilted her head, reading him, then decided to play. "Alright. Why don't we be friends then?"
He chuckled, letting himself be baited. "Friends? Tempting. But I thought you don't mix business with friendship."
Kiara's smile was sharp enough to cut ice. "That was another job. Another time. Another person."
His brows lifted. "How many jobs do you do?"
"As many as I need to. Any objections?"
Jordan smiled slowly. "None. If anything, I'm relieved. That way, everything concerning Vera will be handled by you."
She leaned forward slightly. "Can I ask you a question? Answer it, and maybe I'll give you my name."
He weighed her offer, intrigued. "Go ahead."
"What does the R stand for in R.J. Powell?"
That caught him off guard. His jaw tightened before he muttered, "Roy."
Her smile softened. "Roy. I never would've guessed. Lovely. I can call you that, right?"
"Maybe in private," he said, eyes flickering. "Only my mum calls me that." And Lara, he thought, but didn't add.
Mummy's boy, Kiara thought with faint amusement. "Alright then. My name is Kiara."
His eyes opened fully, locking on her. "Kiara." The way her name rolled off his tongue made her uneasy. "I love it."
She gave him a tight smile, enough to unsettle him.
"Kiara," he said, almost carefully, "are you the only person that doesn't like me?"
"It's not that I don't like you," she said evenly. "You being a celebrity just doesn't impress me. And I'm not the only one who feels that way."
As if on cue, her phone rang. She chuckled at the caller ID. "Speak of the devil."
"Put it on speaker," Jordan said.
She gave him a look but obliged. "Hey, V."
"The hell, Kay! Where are you?" Vivian's voice thundered through the office.
Kiara blinked. "Is there a problem?"
"Are you kidding me? You're supposed to be meeting the mayor's wife!"
Kiara rolled her eyes. "Oh, that."
"Seriously? She's been waiting an hour!"
"Relax, I'm with Jordan Powell right now."
"And what do I care? Damn it, Kay! Get your white ass over here ASAP!"
Vivian hung up. Jordan chuckled, amused.
"I told you," Kiara said dryly.
"You did," he grinned. "She's black, isn't she?"
"Yeah," Kiara said, laughing. She knew exactly why he asked. "Anyway, back to business. I'll need Vera's measurements."
He blinked at the sudden shift. "Vera… right. I'll send them—if you give me your number."
She considered, then shrugged. "Fine. We are friends now, aren't we?"
Jordan nodded. She took his phone, saved her number simply as K. He laughed when he saw it.
They both rose at the same time. Jordan offered his hand.
"The necklace should arrive the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes. The team's already in the UK."
She noticed he was still holding her hand. Clearing her throat, she glanced toward Cass. He followed her gaze, smiled politely, and finally let go.
Kiara noticed that same polite smile directed at Cass as they left. What a guy.
"Sorry it took so long," Kiara told Cass.
"Oh, it's fine. I used the time to reschedule your appointment with the mayor's wife."
"Thanks, Cass. Vivian nearly bit my head off over that."
"She called you?"
"Yes. Upset as always."
"Hm. Better you than me. No one handles her better than you."
Kiara just nodded. After all, Vivian was her best friend.
Daniel dropped Cass at the company, then drove Kiara home. Her mind circled back to Jordan. He wasn't necessarily a bad man, but she knew better than to trust rich playboys. He mentioned Vera too casually. No tabloids hinted at a relationship, but that didn't mean there wasn't one.
She turned her focus to Vera. Winning her over would mean everything for the company. Already, Kiara was sketching in her mind—the best dress Vera, or Roy, had ever seen.