Page 51 of Broken Surrender
“What do you mean?”
“It was a long time ago. I have—” she lifted her shoulders, “—memory problems sometimes. I don’t really remember what happened there.”
Had Shin & Co Inc been part of what happened in her past?
Corinne was quiet, and though her book was open, she was staring off into space, melting into herself. I couldn’t ask her those questions anymore. It wasn’t fair to her.
And I told myself it wasn’t fair to Desmond. He had protected me. There was no reason to question his involvement. Maybe Corinne had overheard us talking and was mixing things up, especially if she had memory problems.
Desmond opened the door. “You’re here,” he said.
CHAPTER 17
five years earlier
Desmond
My new office had a large window with a view of the other gray building. I was going up; my father had wanted me to climb the ladder here, the idea being that I could eventually help the company become a subsidiary of Universal Medical Industries. I wasn’t a fan of the company; they didn’t have the best reputation and my employment had done little to improve that judgment. But my father had urged me that there was untapped potential in Shin & Co Inc, especially with the new owner.
Now my father was gone. And soon, I would have to leave my position here, once the transfer of ownership was finalized. Universal Medical Industries would take up my time.
But not yet.
A soft knocking echoed behind me; Kate stood in the doorway, her blond hair straightened perfectly, proper compared to how she had left my house the other night. I ran a hand through my hair. She always put me on edge.
“The new place looks good,” she said.
I grinned to myself. How long would it be before I fucked her over the desk?
“I know that look,” she winked. “Stop it.”
“You love it.”
She blushed, then her playful persona dropped. “Did you get my memo?”
I nodded. “My sister isn’t old enough.” I shifted gears, changing into our work relationship. “What are the regulations for age requirements?”
“None when it’s this serious. We have to take shortcuts.” She slid into the chair in front of my desk. “You know that depression and anxiety run rampant in girls her age? This will help so many young women like her.”
I was sure it would help. But it still didn’t sit right with me.
“Not my sister,” I said again.
“Can you consider it for a second?” she asked, her voice uncharacteristically raised. I laced my fingers together, waiting for her explanation. “To make real breakthroughs, you have to bend the rules. Makerealsacrifices.” She stopped, putting her hands on my desk, her breasts pushed together. I ignored her cleavage, locking eyes with her. She couldn’t distract me like that right now. She continued: “Part of the sacrifice is knowing what’s good for the future of young women. Women’s health is at a critical point. We can’t make progress unless we’re pushing for what’s right.”
“There are plenty of young women who could take her place.”
“Dalton wants your sister.”
My neck prickled with a stinging sensation. Kate’s brother, the new owner and CEO, wanted my sister?
“To participate in the clinical trials?” I asked.
“He wants everyone to show how dedicated they are to the company. Which means the best women—myself included—haveto be involved. He’s trusting us.”
I was leaving soon anyway. What did I care if Dalton trusted me or not? “Not interested.”
“Your father always supported our work. I’m sure if he were here, he would have already been signing Corinne up.”
