4. Kane
“Wait. You want us to what!” Kane said after listening to Ethan’s proposal.
“And what is in this for us?” Olivia said, gesturing between her and Sarah.
Ethan turned to Olivia and said softly. “I’m guessing by the people in your waiting room that you have more people needing help than you can afford to help. This is still a fledgling business, and one that you don’t want gossip about that you can’t help your staff let alone strangers.”
“That’s a bit harsh,” Sarah said as she stood and started to pace around the room. She looked back over to Ethan, taking in his tall, wiry appearance, different from his brother’s large frames.
“So what? Are you going to buy us space for everyone? That’s impossible.” She raised an eyebrow at Kane. “And all to save your reputation? Why?”
“We have a large deal coming up with a country who looks down on violence. They’ve already taken a step away from Threat Assess, and we need them to sign with us. Their business would be lucrative to us and the charities we help. It would also ensure people have the right training and support for the countries that are struggling under different regimes right now.”
“So, it’s about money,” Sarah said, walking towards him.
Kane’s eyes skimmed over her hips again, his hands clenching so he wouldn’t reach out and wrap them around her waist. “No,” he said standing and stood before her, towering over her. “It’s about helping people.”
He inhaled her perfume, a mix of lavender and roses, her eyes bright as she stared up at him, exposing her neck and the soft sweetness he wished he could touch.
Alex coughed to break the tension in the room. “Actually, what you said before could work?”
“A lot was said Alex, which part,” Kane grumbled as he took a step back.
“We do have a hotel. We bought it last month as an investment and it’s empty. It’s not far from here. Jackson ran the numbers and thought it was a good investment for the future.”
Kane looked at each brother before turning to Sarah and Olivia again. “So, that’s settled. We will fix the hotel up in the next week for you to use. There will be an office for both of you in there, so then you aren’t wasting money on rent here. We will move you over in a week. We will provide twenty-four-hour security for the hotel. It will be under Threat Assess protection.”
“And in return?” Sarah asked.
“Just what Ethan laid out. We will fund this agency for two years, as well as the hotel and protection now, in exchange for you pretending to be my fiancé for the next six months. By that time the deal for us would have gone through, they would understand me protecting my woman from unwanted advances and my image and the image of the company can be restored.”
“The deal is that big?” Olivia asked. “It’s worth that much? Saving your reputation is that important. Are you sure it won’t blow over by then?”
“It’s not the money. We have that, but we don’t have the access to help people in these countries. That’s what we want. We fought wars for people rights and watched as other countries took them away. We want to try to make sure that what we fought for and who we lost was not in vain.” Kane said, as his brothers nodded around him. “If we lose this deal now, we won’t get it back. It’s that important.”
“And I still go to the police.” Sarah said.
“And we go and have a chat with him as well,” Luke mumbled, his eyes glowing at the thought.
“So, what exactly do I have to do as your betrothed?” Sarah asked.
Kane ran a hand over his stubbled chin, “well we would be seen in public. Dinners, functions.” He hesitated. “You might need to show affection towards me every now and again.”
“I’m not sleeping with you.” Sarah said, drawing herself up to her full five-foot stance.
Kane felt his mouth go dry as his thoughts took him to where Sarah was under him, his mouth on her body, his hands kneading her hips as he pulled her to him, her mouth open, calling to him.
“Earth to Kane.” Sarah said, waving a hand in front of his face. “No sex buddy. Feed me, show me off, but no hands action. Got it.”
Kane’s voice was hoarse as he coughed out a “got it” in return.
“I have another condition,” Luke said to the room.
The brothers were surprised at the outburst.
“No killing.” Kane immediately said, instinctively knowing that Luke would be dangerous to anyone who hurt people he loved or protected.
And now Sarah and Olivia were those people also.
“Everyone who comes through the doors can be taught self-defense. For free. By us. We will run classes a few times a week.” He looked at his brothers. “Ryan can work out a schedule.”
“Agreed.” Kane said, knowing that anything that can help people feel safe is a good thing. “Ryan is the finance guy. He will set it all up with the hotel, furniture and classes and anything that you might need for families to help.”
Olivia and Sarah looked at Ryan, the only person who hadn’t said anything so far. He looked like a surfer with this long sandy hair loosely tied back, tanned skin and broad shoulders. He nodded to them as he stood and walked to the door. “So, it’s a deal?” he asked.
Olivia turned to Sarah, “you’re the one who has to do this Sarah. We will benefit, but ultimately it is you. I’m happy with whatever you decide.”
Sarah turned to Kane. “It’s a deal.”