My chest squeezes as I think about the family who live on that ranch, I researched them online and read about what they do. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t a good idea, but I refuse to destroy anyone’s life without walking into it with eyes wide open.
Nodding my head again, I say, “You don’t. I saw the amount of money on the line.” I try to come across as agreeable and confident, but I know if I heard the sharpness in my tone,then my father did as well.
He turns his attention to me, his sharp amber eyes zeroing in on my eyes that are a mirror image of his. “Harris has argued you are doing so well in other areas of the business that you will be able to pull this off. Should I be worried?”
Of course he did. I have managed to keep myself far away from that part of the business and he knows his best shot of reducing my value in my father’s eyes is to push me into what I told him I could never do.
Biting the inside of my cheek and keeping the smile on my face, I ignore the urge to curl my fingers into my palms and push my nails into the skin, instead, I feign calm and collected. “Of course not. But I was wondering, is it necessary for Harris to go with me?”
“We always send two agents for assignments like this.” He raises his eyebrows, “You realize you are going to Oklahoma? They carry guns like they carry their car keys.”
My father’s elitist attitude makes me flinch on the inside, but I keep the smile that’s been part of my mask since I was a young girl painted on my face, “Yes,” I slowly nod my head to drive the point, “there is a bit of a cultural difference, but last I heard, they are people just like everyone else. It’s Oklahoma, not the old west.”
“You’re not going there for a cordial visit, Elly, you’re going there to take their land.” His rebuke stings like a slap in the face, making me feel like I’m still that little girl who needs to be reminded my mental bandwidth is lacking because I don’t have a penis, but my only reaction is I tip my head to the side a bit like I don’t have a care in the world.
“Just give me a few days and then you can send Harris, it’ll be fine.” I wave my fingers in the air like I’m waving off any concerns as I say it.
His stare is like an x-ray machine, I can see the wheels turning in his head. He doubts me, he thinks Harris is the better person for the job. He’s right. However, I’ve spent myentire life trying to prove my worth to this man, and I’ll be damned if Harris is going to knock it all down in one swoop.
For a fucking corner office.
“You’ve got four days and if you haven’t sealed the deal, I’m sending Harris.”
“Perfect. I’ll take care of it.” The smile on my face is anything but sincere, but I’ve spent my life perfecting it just for him.
He watches me for another moment before he gets up to walk to his desk, as he does, he puts his hand on my shoulder and lightly squeezes. The only offering of affection he will ever show. “Good, don’t make me regret it.” But then there’s the usual verbal ice water thrown over any warmth he shows.
One yoga class, a sauna set, and a glass of wine later, I’m still tied in knots. The folder is on my lap as I sit on my balcony watching the city lights, my feet up on the ottoman, and my second glass of wine in my hand.
With the alcohol in my system, in the safe space of my condo, and my suit of armor discarded at the door, I look over the details of what I need to know for this damn deal. And to rub salt in the wound, I look over what I printed out for the ranching business the family has been running for decades.
Can I do this? How can I do this? If I take these people’s home and livelihood out from under them, can I live with myself? Just to prove to my father I’m valuable. I lift my glass to my lips, but it’s empty. With a huff, I set the empty glass on the table next to me.
Will it even matter? Would it matter if I got him all the land in Oklahoma? Would he still look at me with the same disappointment in his eyes?
Probably.
CHAPTER THREE
ELLY
DRINKING THErest of my coffee, I set the empty cup in the clean sink and start walking to the door but stop half-way and go back to rinse it out and set it on the drying rack next to the sink. The doorman just took all my luggage to the company car that’s waiting for me outside.
When I step outside, the breeze pushes my hair off my face, and I take a deep breath of the tangy L.A. air. The shiny black SUV on the curb is running and Stuart, my doorman, is stepping away as the back hatch closes.
“Thank you, Stuart. I should be back in a week, fingers crossed.” I smile at him and loop my purse over my shoulder as I hand him a folded bill.
He tips his hat and winks, the usual sparkle in his eye. The old man is a shameless flirt, but completely harmless. “Perhaps a trip for fun this time, ma’am?”
“You know me, Stuart, work, work, work.” I flash him my award-winning smile. Stuart is always teasing me about working too much. He even tried to suggest a meeting with his architect son at one point last year. I had to graciously decline. Dating is the last thing I have time for.
“Yes, ma’am, safe travels.” He opens the back door for me and waits for me to get in. “I’ll manifest successful endeavors and a swift return.”
With a laugh, I pat his arm and say, “Have I told you lately you’re the best?” And slide into the back seat.
The door quietly shuts, and I reach over my shoulder for the seat belt before I set my purse on the seat next to me.
Two things happen as I turn in my seat: I smell the cloying cologne Harris bathes in every day, and then I see him sitting smugly in the seat next to me. I flinch and suck in a breath before my face twists in anger.
