I smile.
BENEDIKT:Would you like me to go deeper?
SIENNA:Do you always stalk people you want to work with?
BENEDIKT:When it has to do with my company, yes. No need to bring in bad apples.
SIENNA:I’m sure your employees and clients feel violated afterward.
BENEDIKT:It’s not like it’s a conversation, Miss Graves. I can already feel you running away.
SIENNA:I’m still talking to you, aren’t I?
BENEDIKT:You’re nervous again. You’re wondering what a successful man like me could possibly want with a woman who brought baked goods to my office twice, and what my motives are.
SIENNA:Exactly.
BENEDIKT:We can talk about it over lunch.
SIENNA:I’m no longer intrigued.
BENEDIKT:That’s a shame. I was hoping to pass on a few proposals to you. Pull your career in and make it skyrocket.
SIENNA:I don’t own the bakery, Mr Volkov.
BENEDIKT:No, but I bet you want one of your own.
Silence.
During my research, I learned that Sienna has been denied a bank loan twice. Her credit is deplorable, and she has zero means to make a dream like that happen.
As creative as she is, I think she’d want an empire of her own. The reviews at Sugar & Spice Bakery rave about her maple-bacon cheddar muffins, something she brings out everyfew months. They talk aboutherspecifically, and that can’t do anything but make her wish she could do things her way with a business of her own.
SIENNA:You’re not wrong.
BENEDIKT:I’m usually not.
SIENNA:I’ll see you on Saturday, Mr. Volkov.
I set down my phone, satisfied. She has no idea what she’s walking into.
But she will once I blow up her world and give her no choice but to work with me to put it back together.
5
Benedikt
The cold air from the water does nothing to clear my head.
The shipment arrived on schedule, which means the men unloading it should be efficient, fast, and silent.
With my hands in my coat pockets, I watch from the elevated platform as they move. Their movements are precise, and there are no wasted steps. They know better than to fuck around when I’m here.
But I’m only here for the fresh air and to get the hell out of my office.
My phone buzzes and I check the screen, my jaw tightening at the name flashing across it.
Father.
