I swat lightly at his chest. “Don’t be weird, there’s nothing but platonic feelings between Declan and me.”
“I know that. I’d hang him by his balls if I thought otherwise. I put him on Ella watching duties while I was gone because he’s the person I trust the most. I guess I’ve just never had a situation like this where the person I was seeing was close to my family. It’s still a bit strange to me.”
“Would you rather I wasn’t close to them?”
“No. God no. I’m glad you are. But I’ve spent most my life keeping different aspects of it in very separate categories. Work and family have always been a mixed bag with being a Langford, but everything outside of that was mine and mine alone. I’ve never even introduced a girl to my family, so it’s still new for me to have someone fit into my family dynamic. I like it. But I’m still just getting used to it.”
“Well, keep working on it, because Declan and I are buddies.”
“Buddies?”
“Yep. Buddies. And we also have some plans in the works.”
“And just what are these plans?”
“For one, I think you need to show Greenspan to the world. Keeping Greenspan quiet is only giving Sergei more power, and Declan agrees. I think if Greenspan had more visibility, it would be harder for Sergei to keep targeting it. Sergei has been operating in the shadows because Greenspan has lived in the shadows. But if we shine a bright light on it, we chase away those shadows, and then Sergei will have to work a lot harder to keep his actions quiet.”
“The world can’t know about how he’s hit our family.”
“I agree. But that doesn’t mean you have to hide the amazing things you’re doing with Greenspan. You said they’re close to a breakthrough in green energy, so tell the world that. You don’t have to disclose the technology, just acknowledge that you’re working on it.”
“But that could put an even bigger target on our backs with more oil companies.”
“That will happen when the technology hits the market, anyway. Big oil will push back no matter what. But if you have public support and support from government agencies, it could help provide a lot more protection. Use transparency to your advantage.”
“You know, Ms. Hale, you still surprise me with your mind,even though by this point I shouldn’t be. I think I’ll forever be thanking Emily for insisting she put you on our little team.”
I shift my head and smile up at him. “Me too.”
“So, what’s your other plan with my brother?”
“Basically the same thing, but with us. The board seems to think they need some big production to override the rumors about you and Katrina.”
Asher groans. “Definitely don’t speak her name while we’re in bed. My dick might shrivel up and die.”
I chuckle. “Okay, I won’t speak about the she-devil. But just so you’re aware, I’m planning a spectacle. You don’t have to do anything but show up and smile for the cameras.”
“I think I can do that.”
“Good.”
He shoots me his mischievous smile I love so much. “I may or may not have my own spectacle in the works.”
My stomach flutters. “Is that so?”
“I can’t say for sure. But all you have to do is show up and smile for the cameras.”
I chuckle again. “I also think I can do that.”
“Then it’s settled. By the time we’re done, the board will have everything they could ever want from us.”
“Good. Then those snakes will leave you alone.”
“They’ll never leave me alone. They just won’t have any leverage over me. But I have to keep my nose clean for three more years to get to that point.”
“Why three years?”
“That’s when the stipulations on my shares expire. After that, I can do whatever I want without consequences.”
