AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He’d take her word for it, because honestly, the thought of being on any of Ren’s other lists was terrifying.
He was about to say something else when she blurted, “I love you.”
Then she lunged across the center console and kissed the crap out of him. When she pulled back, he was breathless, a little confused, and more turned on than he’d ever been. (Which, frankly, was how he always felt when Tenley was around). “I thought you were going to wait to say it.”
“No, I said I was going to wait until it didn’t sound disingenuous.” She bit her lower lip. “It didn’t sound disingenuous, did it?”
He laughed out loud. “It did not. I love you too, baby.”
She let out a big sigh of relief. “Thank God. Ready to go ruin some lives?”
Would there ever be a time when he wasn’t thoroughly delighted by this woman? He thought not. “Ab-so-fucking-lutely.”
“Oh, and happy birthday, Knox.”
“It is now, baby. It is now.”
CHAPTER 30
Tenley had been in more than a few corporate boardrooms in her life, always for some kind of con. Always for her own benefit. She’d never been nervous.
Until now.
Being here with Knox, helping him protect his family legacy, was utterly nerve-racking. She could not afford to screw this up.
And why did all corporate boardrooms smell like printer paper and oppression? It was a weird combo that did absolutely nothing to quell her queasy stomach.
She gave herself a mental slap across the face. Get your shit together!
Knox squeezed her hand, and when she glanced up at him and saw the grin on his face, her nerves evaporated. It was obvious that he loved her no matter what happened today, so what did she have to worry about? She’d already won.
Not that her sunny, happy, lovable self was going to go easy on these fuckheads. Nope. They were done. But she was going to destroy them with a chipper disposition she didn’t normally have.
All eyes were on them as they strolled casually toward their seats at the conference table.
Waylin offered a murmured greeting, while Thadeus glared at her like he was trying to burn a hole through her skull with nothing but the power of his hatred. John said nothing. He just stared at Knox like he was seeing a ghost. Only Kay offered a sincere, pleased greeting and a warm smile.
“Hey, y’all,” Tenley said, taking a seat next to Knox. “It’s so nice to see everyone again.”
“Not the word I’d use,” Knox muttered.
Thadeus, still glaring daggers while his mouth gave them the fakest smile she’d ever seen and said, “We were just about to have an important discussion. Is there something I can do for you two before we begin?’
“See, that’s the thing, Thad,” Knox said. “I’ve decided that I’m ready to be involved in the business. My family’s business.”
John scoffed. “Now, son, you know your brother—”
“I’m not your son and Thadeus is not my brother,” he interrupted. “The terms of my father’s will are clear. As of today, my birthday, a seat on this board is mine if I want it, and I do.”
Thadeus turned a shade of red that could only be described as apoplectic. “You haven’t been involved in this business. We have an important vote today, and you’re not up to speed. You can’t expect—”
Knox cocked his head to one side. “Who says I’m not up to speed?”
John leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t possibly know anything about HomeTech Enterprises.”
“You mean the fact that you and Thadeus bullied Waylin into voting for selling to HomeTech?” Tenley asked. “Or that they plan to completely obliterate this company’s reputation by flooding the market with cheap, mass-produced versions of the furniture that made you all millionaires to begin with?” She smirked at him. “Trust me. We’re up to speed on all that.”
John turned his furious scowl on Kay. “You. You told them, didn’t you? You were always against this sale.”
