Chapter 13 #2
“How dare I? I didn’t hide the fact I don’t want any scandals in my life or surrounding my business.
But I do know and admire that you’re a very good person.
You give to charities including animal shelters and my guess you’d strip the shirt off your back to give to a homeless person.
Very admirable. That means you want to help your brother. Correct?”
He was making this so easy to hate him. “Any decent human being would. Oh, that’s right. There is nothing decent about you.”
“Maybe I came off a little too strong, Vanessa. For that I apologize. What I’m trying to say is that if you help me, I’ll help you.”
I rubbed my finger across my lips, studying him intently. “You know, I’m trying to figure out which part of this disgusting scenario is worse. Marrying you for money or selling my soul so you can destroy my father.”
“Please. I don’t need to destroy him. That is unless he gives me no other choice.
I simply need him to back off, determining Florida isn’t going to become his latest foray into expansion.
In return, you’ll have a substantial payoff that will allow you to have choices in where you want to take your life both professionally and personally.
In addition, I know some doctors and psychiatrists who are involved in perhaps the best drug rehabilitation facilities in the country.
There’s usually an eighteen-month wait list, but given my connections, I’m certain I can fast-track Donovan’s entrance. ”
I shook my head, incapable of forming a response let alone thinking clearly.
“Of course, we’ll need to worry about potential prison time. My corporate attorney and best friend will be authorized to find him the most powerful and influent defense attorney in the city and he knows everyone.”
The savage thumping of my heart was never ending. I finally locked eyes with his again, trying my best to keep from scratching his face or acting out on some other childish behavior. “You’ve thought of everything. Haven’t you?”
This time his laugh was more genuine and he took the time to scratch his head as if partially confused. Right. “No, I can honestly say I haven’t, but that’s what attorneys will help us weed though. Granted, that will need to be done quickly as I want to announce our engagement by Wednesday.”
At least this time I kept my mouth from dropping open. “What’s so important in your little piss-ant world that you need to ensure everyone in town knows we’re engaged?”
“Other than enjoying how jealous my friends will be?” The man was practically glowing. He lost his rather evil grin, turning more serious. “Because I need you to attend a meeting and dinner with me on Friday. It’s very important to me.”
Now I was able to smile. As he’d mentioned before, everyone had a weakness. When I got the chance, I could take out my hatred for him in an appropriate way. “What is so important about this meeting?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Come now, Christian. If we’re going to enter into an agreement, a portion of that legal document will include being truthful with each other. How will I know how to act or… what to say? How much I need to fawn over you like a good little wife should?”
He narrowed his eyes and took a step closer. Why did he think crowding my space would intimidate me? I stood my ground, keeping the smile while allowing my gaze to fall to his expensive yet stylish loafers the same way he’d done to me when he’d walked into the room.
“I have a meeting with Andres Lopez, the CEO and owner of Barchella Hotel Group. We are in negotiations on a land development deal to become an elite partner with them. Not only will there be a resort, but also pristine waterfront residential and commercial development.”
“Ah. And you’re worried my father might be able to sway them into working with him instead.” My thoughts drifted to the fact Dad was currently in Spain. Since my mother hadn’t gone with him, that meant he’d flown there on business.
What were the odds?
If I gambled, I’d call it a sure bet. Possible leverage. If I would even dare consider this unholy alliance. Alliance? What was I thinking? This would be a one-sided venture.
Just like what my mother had endured for decades.
Maybe there was some irony in the situation.
One aspect was clear. Christian was really asking me to choose between my father and my brother. He’d found my weakness.
His entire demeanor changed, becoming more subdued, but I reminded myself he would use anything in his power to get what he wanted. As well as anything in his bag of tricks.
“I’ll be happy to be honest with you, Vanessa.
In return, I’ll expect the same. Mr. Lopez and his entire family run Barchella.
They value having their wives and children working beside them.
They don’t necessarily trust anyone who doesn’t have the same values as they do.
Rather barbaric if you ask me, but it’s their choice. ”
“But not yours.”
“I have values and morals, but I don’t appreciate being tossed into the dark ages to obtain a client.”
That meant he was also being forced into a marriage. Fascinating. “And I don’t appreciate being forced into a marriage or any other arrangement based on methods of extortion.”
“I’m not extorting you. This is a very good business arrangement. If your relationship with your father is broken, perhaps our union will bring you closer.”
I choked on purpose. “Like you, my father doesn’t like to lose. I think I’ll need to turn you down, but thank you for the lucrative offer. I’ll find a way of taking care of my brother.”
“Come now, Vanessa. I’m certain you wouldn’t like to see your brother go to prison or to have him used to smear your father and your reputation. Now, would you?”
If I had to be honest with myself, I’d say his threat had been anticipated. That didn’t mean I wasn’t nauseated or continuing to be disgusted I’d let my guard fall around him. “You’re resorting to blackmail now? Isn’t that beneath you?”
“I don’t consider it blackmail. Call it more of an incentive.”
“Ah. Now I get it.”
“You do? That’s fantastic.” He grinned. With the dimple showing and his eyes twinkling, the girl inside of me was ready to swoon from thoughts of having him as my husband.
The intelligent woman inside, the one who loathed anyone attempting to use others to their benefit wanted to drive a stake through his heart. I was trapped and he knew it. I could either risk losing everything or try to play his game my way.
The taste in my mouth smacked of self-betrayal.
“I’m curious. How close are you to having this particular deal signed?” I asked, purposely planting a smile on my face. The deal with Barchella was merely the beginning. Could I do this? Could I sell my soul even for a few months?
He seemed perplexed. “The contracts were presented two weeks ago and we’d expected them returned within forty-eight hours.”
“Mmm…” I looked away as I thought about his offer.
There was something almost boyish about him. His charm. His mannerisms. His assumptions. I now understood more of what made him tick since he was like my father and his combined. The ruthlessness was only the beginning.
However disgusting the offer and the outcome if I didn’t accept, there were certain realities that tickled the back of my mind.
My father was likely attempting to persuade the Spanish corporation his firm was more in tune with theirs.
How was that possible? Because the vice president had met his wife while working together at my father’s company.
So had the CFO. An advantage Christian’s company didn’t have.
Second, and more important to me, was that my brother could finally get the help he desperately needed without me needing to sell my house. I wasn’t entirely certain what kind of person that made me, but it was the truth.
I’d worked so hard for years to separate myself from my father, refusing to stay in Atlanta because I didn’t want to be associated with his merciless activities.
The stories written about him had never provided a correct account of how fixated he was on making money and how little he cared about who he hurt or crushed in the process.
Including his own family.
It was as if karma needed to be served, only this time, I could make some choices. I could run part of the show.
There was no good decision, but there was one that made more sense.
I was the one who closed the distance, throwing out my arm for a handshake.
“You have a deal, Mr. Elliot. However, there will be certain caveats that will be placed in the body of the contract. Five million. I will help you with getting the contracts signed. I will be happy to have a discussion with my father when I announce our engagement and I will agree to stay happily married to you for a term not to exceed six months. For everyone who knows and sees us together, we’ll appear madly in love.
In addition, an attorney will be provided for my brother and a facility of my choosing provided for the length of time needed with all costs paid by you.
I also will maintain ownership of my company during that time.
Oh, and this is a deal breaker. I refuse to be arm candy and nothing else. ”
He slowly allowed a smile to cross his face. “You have a deal, Ms. Blair, but I also have one addition that is non-negotiable.” He grabbed my hand before I could pull away. The hold wasn’t about locking in a deal, but something entirely too personal.
“What’s that?”
“Our marriage? It won’t be in name only. You will be my wife in every way possible. Night after delicious night.”