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“Chloe, what the hell is going on?” I snap.
She turns her head away from me, but not before I see the tears. I’m shocked. I’ve seen Chloe cry only a handful of times. When her mother died, once back in high school after a bad breakup with an older guy, and a while back, when she took off on some secret trip and returned a hot mess.
After that trip, she’d promised me she would tell me what happened when she was ready. I’m still waiting for her to be ready. My frustration grows as Chloe retreats into herself.
“My brother and I need both of your help,” Clayton speaks up when Chloe won’t answer me. Chloe scoffs, but it sounds more like a small sob.
“Wow, you have a great way of showing it. You’re railroading me, no us into…I’m still not sure what,” I huff, tossing the file back on the table.
My head hurts too much to focus on what I’ve read. I get the gist of it, I just can’t believe the gall of this man to put this offer out there in the first place. I think his wealth and good looks have fried his damn brain.
“It’s a proposal, Sidney. A proposal that will benefit both you and me, as well as Chloe and Gregor,” he says smoothly.
I frown and shift in my seat. “I see the benefits to you, all right,” I mutter.
“No, I don’t think you do. I need you. My father is a powerful man. As such, he likes to be in control. Just when my brothers and I thought we outsmarted him, he pulled us right back in. Our empire rests in his palm if we don’t make this happen.
“However, this is only until we can outmaneuver him. I, too, like to have control and I have my own level of power,” he replies.
“So, what does that have to do with me?”
“I plan to kill two birds with one stone. Like I said, my family is full of powerful men. Once you are mine, my father will want to help you and I have the power to make things in your life much smoother. However, my father will block my involvement if you’re simply some woman he thinks I’m lusting after.
“My father has been putting pressure on myself and my brothers to marry—Gregor and me being the oldest, he has started to apply a bit more. Clooney Hennessey is cunning. He managed to gain controlling interest of our businesses without our notice.
“He’s now using that to force us into marrying and running our family’s business. I need to get to the bottom of things with this enemy we share and keep my father from trying to mind my business. Gregor is pretty much in the same boat. We’d all be helping each other.” He tips his glass toward me, then drains it.
At the same time, one of Clayton’s men moves to his side, out of the shadows. He whispers something into Clayton’s ear. Clayton’s lips tighten, but other than that, he maintains his composure. I wouldn’t have even noticed that slight change if I wasn’t so focused on his mouth.
I can still feel his full lips on mine. I absentmindedly lick mine, tasting a hint of brandy. I think I’ve lost all my good sense. I’m sitting here ready to agree to this mess and I’m not even sure if it’s all for Chloe and Ally anymore.
Clayton murmurs something into the guy’s ear before he returns to the shadows. Clayton then turns his eyes back on me. The moment I look into them, I know I’m not going to like what I hear.
“The police are here. They have a warrant for both of your arrests,” he says tightly. “The time is now, ladies. Are we going to help each other?”
I narrow my eyes in defiance. I feel like a trapped rat. I hate this feeling, but anytime my back is against the wall, I come out swinging—claws out and all.
Fuck it, I’m a boss and from what my gut tells me, so is Clayton Hennessy. At this moment, I do what feels like a boss move. After all, I understand a whole lot about mergers and acquisitions.
“I guess I have no choice,” I say begrudgingly, reaching for the file on the table.
Clayton pulls a pen from his suit jacket and hands it over. “Wrong again. As mine, you will have plenty of choices,” he croons smoothly.
Chapter 7
Calling the Shots
Clayton
I nod at David, the head of my security and a longtime friend. I trust David like family. He nods back and delivers his instructions through his earpiece.
Turning back to my newly acquired treasure, I take her in fully. Her pretty eyes are narrowed on me, her delicate fingers hold my pen out in my direction. My lips turn up in the corners as I take the pen back, making sure to caress her mocha-brown fingers in the process.
