Page 144 of Taste of Blood
The one that bothers me the most is Elaine. Somehow I have to find a way to take care of her. After the meeting she follows me to my office and stands in front of my desk.
“Is there something I can help you with?” I ask.
“You tell me,” she replies. “You were in a great mood when you got here this morning, which can only mean you saw your hot boyfriend last night, but just now you looked like you’ve lostyour best friend. What’s up, boss? Is there someone I need to take out for you?”
I snort. “Take out? What are you now, a hitman?”
“In a manner of speaking. I’m a keyboard warrior.”
Definitely going to have to find a way to keep her. “I’m fine.”
“Did you give Cord the information on the pharma company?”
“Yes. Turns out he knew about the drug they developed because they’re using it against the Python’s men.”
She sinks into the chair in front of my desk. “You’re kidding me? What is it?”
I don’t know how much of this I should be telling her, but it’s not like she isn’t already in the loop. “It’s used to kill vampires.”
Her mouth gapes open. “You can do that?”
“Apparently.”
“Wait a minute. If Thalium’s company developed it, how are they using it against him?”
“That’s what Cord is trying to find out today. Have you discovered anything else?”
“More financials on dummy corporations he owns. Nothing earthshattering. I’m sure you know all about that kind of thing.”
“Are you implying I’m unscrupulous?”
“No. Never. Are you?”
I’ll admit I’ve taken over my share of smaller companies to expand my empire, but I’ve always compensated the owners fairly. Everything was always above board and legal. I never tried to hide behind false walls.
“No,” I answer honestly.
“I didn’t think so, but I had to ask.” She stands up. “I know you have work to do, so I’ll leave you to it. Don’t forget Maxley’s lawyers are going to be here at nine tomorrow morning to finish drawing up the paperwork for the merger.”
“It’s on my calendar.”
“Yeah, well, you sometimes have a tendency to forget things when you’re booty-blinded.”
“When have I ever beenbooty-blinded, as you put it?”
She grins. “Don’t get touchy. Besides, you have a good excuse. I wouldn’t kick that man out of bed either.”
I sigh and pinch my nose. “Elaine…”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
I bite back a chuckle. Even though she has a tendency to dig a little too deeply into my personal life, the office would be a boring place without her in it.
I get busy and the rest of the day passes quickly until I get the phone call I’ve been waiting for. It’s just after six, so Carlyle must have cut short his meetings. I’ve known him to go well past midnight when his international staff are in town.
“Asher, Marsha said you need to talk to me.”
“Just a minute.” I stand up and close the door to my office, then settle in behind my desk. “I have a business proposition for you.”
