I’m not surprised. I never expected her to sign them. That’s not the contract she’ll be signing at all today. Ultimately, yes, but not today.
“I’m not handing over my family’s company to you.”
“Then hostile takeover it is.”
“That is your M.O., isn’t it?”
“I’ve already spoken with members on the board. I have the votes I need if you insist on forcing my hand.”
She grits her teeth and glares at me. “Who?”
“You’ll lose more than you would accepting my offer,” I add on, choosing not to answer her question. “I’ve been generous.”
“Generous?”
I take another sip then set the coffee down. “When are you moving out?” I ask, taking up the question of the house which I now own.
At that, she falters, fidgeting in her seat before pouring cream into the coffee she won’t drink and stirring for what seems like an eternity.
When she finally looks up at me, it’s not the confident businesswoman who walked in here just moments ago. It’s the little girl I first met crying over her stepmother’s broken doll.
But that’s gone as quickly as it came as she narrows her eyes at me.
“What do you want?” she asks.
I gesture to the contracts on the table. “You know what I want.”
“Why? You don’t need the money. Your businesses are profitable enough for a hundred lifetimes. You don’t need to take over my family’s company.”
She’s done her research. Good. “No, I don’t need to, you’re right. I just want to. When are you moving out?”
“What would Nora think if she knew?”
My jaw tightens. “Nora would say it was about time. But she can’t say anything anymore, can she?” I lean toward her. “Do not bring up my sister again.”
She exhales, shifts her gaze sideways. Thick lashes shield her eyes momentarily. That was a low blow and she knows it.
“That house has been the Abbot family home for generations,” she says.
“I know your history.”
“My father isn’t in a position—”
“Your father made poor business decisions which left you vulnerable.” He’d taken some gambles in his career. I don’t mention my part in those gambles. But then he’d gotten involved with the wrong people when he needed capital. I’m not even certain it was an accident that left him lying in that coma.
“And let me guess. You saw an opportunity,” she says.
“I am a businessman.”
“What is it you really want, Hades?”
“I like how you say my name, Persephone.”
“Then I won’t say it again. Although it fits, doesn’t it? God of the underworld. Satan himself.”
“That’s not quite right. You need to brush up on your mythology. And here I thought I was helping you.”
“By stealing our business and our home out from under us?”
“Who broke off the engagement?” I ask out of the blue. “You or Jonas?” Jonas is my asshole stepbrother.
She falters, her face flushing. “That’s none of your business.”
“So, it was him?”
She opens her mouth, closes it. Her jaw tightens as she grits her teeth.
I grin, oddly proud of her. “No, not Jonas. It was you.”
“Why does it matter to you?”
“I’m just glad you came to your senses.”
“This is none of your business.”
“I think it is my business. We share history, remember?”
Again, she shifts her gaze.
“Or don’t you want to remember?”
“Stop.”
“You looked beautiful last night, by the way. I don’t think I mentioned it.”
“Well, thanks. That just means the world to me. Asshole.”
“I prefer that dress to this suit. Leaves more of you for the eye to enjoy.”
“Fuck you.”
“Is that an invitation?”
She tilts her head to the side. “Are you hard up for a fuck? Is that what this is about? You want to get in my pants, Hayden?”
I lean toward her. “Been there, sweetheart.”
She flushes a deep red and has no comeback as she glances nervously around.
“Back to my question. When are you moving out?”
“I can’t move my dad out.”
“Why not? It’s not like he’d know. He’s a fucking vegetable.”
“He’s not. He’s breathing on his own and there’s brain activity.”
For a moment, I feel sorry for her. But then I remember who she’s talking about. What kind of man he is. What he did.
“I’ll tell you what,” I start. “I’ll arrange for him to be moved. You won’t be able to afford that given your current financial situation.”
“If you’re trying to shame me, remember I lived half my life poor.”
“The wrong half.”
“Do you want me to beg? Is that it?”
“Would you? Would you get on your knees right here and beg me to let you stay in my house?”
“You’d make me do that?”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’d make you do a lot worse.”
“Why do you hate us so much?”
I grit my teeth, wishing my coffee was a whiskey. “How rude of me,” I start. “I haven’t even asked how Lizzie’s doing.” Lizzie—Elizabeth—is her younger sister. A handful from what I’ve heard, one her mother, Irina, shipped off to boarding school as soon as the girl could walk. “She’s back home, isn’t she?” The only reason she’s back is the old bitch couldn’t make tuition.
“Home is where she should be. Where she belongs.”
“I’m sure Irina is thrilled with that.”
“She isn’t.”
I study her as she picks up her coffee, brings it to her mouth, then sets it back down. I wait for her to make the next move. To set the real play in motion.
“I can pay you,” she offers.
Here we go. I raise my eyebrows.
“I mean, I can buy the house back. I can make payments and—”
I chuckle, shake my head. “You won’t have a job when I take over Abbot Enterprises.”
“I have money. I can get—”
“Sweetheart, you’re embarrassing yourself.”
“And you care? It’s what you want, isn’t it? Me on my knees? Quite literally.”
“I wouldn’t mind you on your knees, but I’d keep you busy doing something more…enjoyable.”
Her eyes lock on mine as she understands my meaning. She shakes her head, does that snort thing again. She’s a snob. Has been since she set foot in her daddy’s big house.
She leans toward me. “You want me to suck you off? Is that what it will take for you to back off? You want that here too? Here and now? Me on my knees under the table getting my face fucked by the great Hayden Montgomery for everyone to see?”
“The idea does appeal.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“But it’s not enough. And besides, I’m not interested in my brother’s sloppy seconds.”