Chapter 10
DANI
Paul Knight has summoned me to another meeting, this time at his office. I arrived here early in the chauffeured car he sent me.
Now I’m sitting outside his office, my nerves twisting in my stomach. I told him I like Dexter, and now, in the cold light of day, I wonder how things will play out, because Dexter doesn’t like me.
I assume Paul’s going to tell Dexter now, in front of me. He can refuse, in which case I’ll have to accept it and fly back and … fall back on the only option I have left.
Paul’s assistant, a woman in her sixties with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, glances at me from behind her desk but says nothing. And then, just as I’m trying to steady my breathing, Dexter walks in and my stomach tightens.
He stops short when he sees me. We stare at each other and I swear he almost growls, as if the sight of me makes him sick.
Before I can react, the door to Paul Knight’s office swings open.
“Daniela, nice to see you.” He gives me a smile that falls short of his eyes. “Dex.” He nods at his son. “Come in, both of you.”
I get up, half-expecting Dexter to let me go in first. Some small, stupid part of me assumes he’ll be a gentleman, but he strides past me without hesitation.
Of course he would.
At least he holds the door open. I suppose that counts for something. But just as I start to step through, he shifts and blocks my entrance a little, so that I’m forced to brush past him. Our arms touch, and I catch a whisper of his intoxicating scent, feel the heat of his body. See his dark glare cutting into me as I walk past.
By the time I sit down, I’m having palpitations. I wish I had something to fan my face with. We sit across from his father, tension thick in the air. Paul’s cold-gray eyes settle on me. “Daniela, I’ve had meetings with your father this morning. He’s very happy with this arrangement.”
I freeze. “You told him?”
“I told him last night.”
I blink, thrown off balance. Paul Knight said he was going to discuss it with me first. He said he wasn’t going to tell anyone yet.
He robbed me of something.
Everything is moving too fast and my head spins as I try to keep up.
“I didn’t realize my decision was final,” I say, my voice tight. “You asked me a question and I answered.” I feel sick, because I’ve realized that not only has Paul Knight has told my father, he’s also told Dexter, which is why he’s here.
Dexter snorts beside me.
“Yes,” Paul answers, casually. He sits back, his eyes moving between Dexter and I, like he’s enjoying my unease.
“Came as a complete shock to me,” Dexter drawls. “Completely blindsided me. I had no idea you had the hots for me.”
I can’t face him, but I feel my cheeks burning. I try to act cool, try to think about the business side of the deal. “This isn’t about attraction, Dexter. This is an arrangement. Once I removed all the other possibilities, you were the only one left.”
He snorts. “You tell yourself that.”
He’s going to have so much fun rubbing my face in it. I address his father. “I assumed Dexter and I would get to discuss this further before we firmed up our agreement. Before I told my parents, but you robbed me of that.”
“And now here we are,” Paul says smoothly, spreading his hands as if that explains everything. Ignoring every concern I have.
“This is moving very quickly,” I say, trying to slow things down.
“You shouldn’t have told him your choice. You could have delayed things. You’re the reason things are moving quickly,” Dexter points out, his voice unreadable.
“I thought we’d get to talk about it first,” I fire back, then glare at Paul. “You said you were going to talk to him about it.”
Paul leans back in his chair. “I did talk to him about it. I don’t see the point of beating around the bush. You flew all the way here because you wanted this alliance. Your father wanted this alliance. You told me who you wanted. I spoke to Dex and we’re all go. Why the hesitation?”
This is nothing like how he promised me it would go.
Dexter’s words echo in my mind.
Be careful of my father.
Paul studies me. “Daniela, if you don’t want this, you can back out. Get on a plane and go back to Brazil.”
I narrow my eyes. Why is he so eager? “I know why I’m in a rush to get this done,” I say slowly, “but why are you ?”
Paul smiles, but there’s nothing warm about it. “Once I make a decision, I move with it. I’m not one for waiting around.”
Dexter speaks up, his tone edged with amusement. “Your father owns the biggest telecommunications company in South America. And whenever there’s something that’s ‘the biggest,’ ‘the best,’ ‘the most competitive’ …” He pauses, glancing at Paul, “… our father always wants a piece of it.”
My stomach sinks.
I barely keep my expression neutral as disappointment weighs on me. I just pray we can help our company with this alliance and get some kind of investment, some collaboration with the Knight name. The name doesn’t mean anything in South America, but ever since the market shifted, investors have been backing away. Merging with a solid company, by having a high-profile wedding will help. As will the promised cash injections.
“I was planning to fly home tomorrow or the day after, and tell my parents in person, then make plans,” I say.
“Your plans have already been made,” Dexter announces, pointedly looking ahead.
“How do you know?” I ask, horrified.
“My father will have taken care of it, didn’t you, father?” He looks at Paul.
“I’m working on it. Almost done.” Paul steeples his hands.
“When are we getting married?” I ask, as insides toss and turn with anxiety. “And where?”
“Don’t ask me, ask your fiancé.”
Dexter groans. “I’m not her fiancé. We’re not engaged.”
“You’ll need to propose, and buy her a ring that’s impossible to ignore,” his father says.
“Fuck.” Dexter sinks back into his chair, and my heart plummets in my chest. This is going to be … difficult. Dragging this man to the altar. He hates me and I’m already convinced that he’s going to make everything infuriatingly impossible.
“We have no chemistry,” I lament. “I don’t see how this will work.”
Maybe Rio might be a better choice?
Dexter leans back in his chair, frowning. “This is a business deal. We don’t have to do much convincing.” He’s so cold today. Last night when he knocked on my hotel door and returned my cell phone, he was warmer. I felt like we could make this work. This morning? I see it will be impossible.
Paul gives a dismissive wave. “You will. The world needs to know that this is not a business deal, but a whirlwind romance leading to marriage.” He nods at me. “Your father says it’s important that Brazilian media buy the story. The investors are the ones you’ll need to convince. Now,” he continues, his voice measured and firm. “I need to run through the rules, and you both need to adhere to them.”
I jolt to attention.
“You must both be loyal to one another. There mustn’t be a whiff of scandal. No drama. Nothing. I suggest you take the time to get to know each other.” His eyes shift between me and Dexter. “You need to be clear on your backstories. You live on different continents. How did you meet? Why are you getting married so quickly? How did you propose?” To Dexter, “I suggest you buy a ring, soon.”
Dexter leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “You mean you didn’t buy one for me? What about the press release to announce this marriage?”
His father doesn’t blink. “I thought I’d leave that to you, Dex.” His gaze lands on me. “You need to be mindful,” he says slowly. “If we present this as a marriage, nobody asks questions. Nobody talks.” He pauses. “No one can know the truth outside of the Knight or the Oliveira family. Is that clear?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Yes,” Dex mutters.
Paul shifts his weight, his expression cool. “You will be married for a year. As for living arrangements, Daniela, you will live with Dex in his apartment.”
My throat closes.
Paul raises a brow. “Did you think I was going to send my son to Brazil?”
“Fuck that,” Dexter snaps.
“I’ll live here,” I say.
It’s happening too fast.
I hadn’t even thought about living arrangements. About switching countries. About moving away from my mother and father and living here, with the Knights, a family I don’t know.
“What about over here?” Dexter asks. “How do I play it here?”
“The same. You need to show that you are very much in love.”
“Oh, joy.” Dexter lets out a huff.
“I’ll draw up the contract for your father to review,” Paul says, casually.
Dexter sits up. “I need to see it.”
I agree. “We should be part of this discussion.”
Paul’s lips press together and I sense something I don’t like. “For now, you two need to get to know each other. Let your father and I handle the contract.” He glances at his watch. “Now, if you don’t mind. I have another meeting.”
“I’d still like to see a copy of the contract,” I insist.
“We insist,” Dexter says. We insist. His reply sets my heart aflutter.
“Of course. I’ll get the legal department to draft it up and send it to you both.”
I hate how smoothly he dismisses us, like we’re side characters in our own deal. We both leave the office. Dexter shoots off, walking so fast before disappearing. And I’m supposed to marry this man and make it look believable?
My mind is a whirr of different thoughts. My father isn’t well and maybe Paul knows. Maybe that’s why he’s rushing this?
That’s why I have no time.
I consider calling Raquel. I also need to speak to my parents. Paul broke the news to them that I had the right to tell them about. He probably told them not to contact me, but they’ll be wondering why I haven’t called them.
I head straight for the washroom, needing a moment to calm my twisted nerves. Try to settle the tight knot balling in my stomach.
My phone buzzes and I snatch it up, my stomach twisting when I see a text from Dexter.
Meet me in the lobby. Now.
I reply:
Now?
He texts back:
Yes now. ??
I let out a sigh. I desperately need to make some phone calls, but first, I need to figure out what the hell Dexter Knight wants.