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 continuingto 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 wasthat 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.
