Page 72 of Last Chance Seduction
“My grandmother wanted to take over the world, and we’re just trying to follow through.”He grinned as he said it, but I had a feeling he wasn’t being too hyperbolic.
“My family was the same way.We’re just following along in their footsteps.”
“And you’re doing a damn good job.”After a moment, the other man shook his head.“I’m going to be blunt with you.I am not a fan of Mr.Arnault.”
I blinked and gestured towards the couch on the other side of my office.“Here, take a seat, that way we’re not on opposite sides of a desk while we talk.Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m okay.But I will take you up on sitting down.We went skiing for New Year’s, and I’ve found out that being forty means your body starts to wear down over time.Who knew?”
My lips twitched.“My cousins and parents have said the same thing.”
He pointed at me.“Mark my words, as soon as you hit thirty, it’s all downhill, and then you go uphill and downhill.Or you fall on your face skiing as I did most of the weekend.”He shook his head.“Like I was saying, I know you were gunning for the old Arnault estate.A lot of people were, and you would’ve been the best for the job.I’m not surprised, though, that Arnault went another way.”
I winced.“What’s he saying around town?”
He raised a brow.“He likes to badmouth everybody.Even if he’s doing it with a Cheshire cat smile.So most of us don’t tend to believe a word he says.So it doesn’t matter what lies he’s telling.Even if some of them might be true.Because he doesn’t matter in the end.”
I sighed.“I have a problem believing that his opinion wouldn’t matter in our field.”
“Hebelieves his opinion matters.And he owns a lot of strong businesses that I know overlap with both of ours.But he’s not the only one in the game.I have four estates that are of historical reverence that I had been waiting to work on for a while now.And I want to work with you.We talked a little bit at the JW, but I want to talk more.”
My whole body stiffened for a moment, wondering how the hell this windfall had just fallen on my lap.Because Mr.Burson’s properties were legendary.And nobody outside of their family was allowed to work on them.I hadn’t even bothered to put in a proposal because I hadn’t known they were on the table.
“I wasn’t aware that you were searching for a company.I’m sorry that I didn’t know.”
“We’re always searching, we just don’t tell anyone.”The older man smiled softly.“But I like your family business.And well, I like Mercy.”
My throat went dry.“She doesn’t work with us.She’s a family friend.”And that was a damn lie.She was so much more and yet I wasn’t sure how to make sure she understood that.So it wasn’t as if I was going to mention that to this near stranger in my office.
The other man just raised a brow.“Yes, I know she’s a family friend.Whatever happens in your personal life is not my business.Just like what happens in our personal lives is not your business.But she made my wife laugh hysterically when others were ignoring her, and I know your work.You’re one of the best in the business.And I want to see what you and your family can do with my family business.”
I rolled my shoulders back, knowing I once again owed Mercy everything.Just like I owed my family everything.“I’m honored.Now what can I do for you?”
“Let’s talk.”
“I’m all yours.”
If I couldn’t fix anything else in my life, I could at least fix this.
I hoped.
* * *
By the timethe other man had left, Dash, Brooklyn, and Reece were in my office, shaking their heads at me.
“Can you believe that just happened?”Brooklyn asked.“Fuck the Arnault estate.This is a huge thing.”
I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.If anyone ever needed a moment to breathe and find joy, it would be Brooklyn.“It is.I can’t believe he just walked in and offered it.”
Dash grinned.“We’re going to have to work our asses off, but dammit, Lex.This is brilliant.”
And it sure as hell didn’t feel real.“Yeah.I guess it is.”
“And if you don’t stop blaming yourself for whatever happened with Arnault, you can just fuck right off,” Brooklyn said so politely, that I blinked when her words finally caught up to me.
Reece barked out a laugh, and I narrowed my gaze at the other man.“What she said.I realize that I’m not part of the leadership of the company, so I’m grateful I was invited to this meeting.”
“Excuse me, you have tons of experience, and one of the estates is pretty much going to be under your purview with the damage to it,” Brooklyn explained.
