“I’m here to negotiate a settlement,” Decker said.
“The terms are clearly stated in the contract Bernard signed.”
“I’ve read the contract. It didn’t say anything about kidnapping for ransom if he didn’t pay by the due date.” Decker took a risk saying that, but he wasn’t afraid. He dealt with powerful people all the time.
Elardi kept a bland expression as he contemplated Decker and his three guards.
“Of course it didn’t,” Elardi finally said. “Who would do such a thing?”
“You,” Decker replied, equally bland.
“You have proof of this?”
“Not yet, but I will...unless you agree to my terms.”
Elardi grinned but not with any real humor. “What are your terms?”
“Cut the interest in half and deduct the amount from the balance and remove the requirement for Hadley Forestry to provide you with free lumber in perpetuity.”
Now Elardi chuckled. “That is a ludicrous proposal, Mr. Colton. Surely you cannot expect me to agree.”
“I do. The police have identified the man you hired to attempt to kidnap Kendall. It’s only a matter of time before he talks.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I didn’t hire anyone to kidnap Bernard’s daughter.”
“You know his daughter?” Decker asked. “I didn’t think you ever met her. She didn’t know about you until recently.”
“Bernard mentioned her.”
“Did he now?” Decker had his doubts. “That’s easily checked. My guess is you deliberately looked into Bernard’s background to find out as much as you could about him and his family in case you needed any collateral to force payment from him.”
“Bernard entered into our agreement freely. He understood the terms and agreed to them.”
“Your terms are ridiculous,” Decker said. “Agree to mine and I’ll pay you right now, the entire balance.”
“What do you get in return?”
“Either a share of the company or Bernard can pay me back.”
“You haven’t spoken with Bernard?” Elardi asked.
“No, not yet.”
“Why not?”
Decker wasn’t going to get into details. “I have my reasons.”
“Could those reasons be related to Kendall? She’s quite beautiful. I think I’d be tempted to help out her family too.”
Why was Elardi playing games? He must know Kendall was living with him. He probably also knew they were planning to get married.
It was time to be blunt. “Mr. Elardi, if you think my family is without resources to take care of this situation, I would advise you to think again.”
That gave Elardi pause. For the first time his expression wasn’t so aloof, as though he second-guessed Decker as he must so many others.
“If you don’t agree to my terms, I’ll arrange to eliminate this problem another way,” Decker said. “We know several very influential people who can make your life miserable without much effort at all.”
Elardi took a step toward him. “You dare to come in here and threaten me?”
Two of Decker’s guards moved to his side, the other still behind him.
Elardi’s men to Decker’s right reached into their jackets and the two on the sofa stood up. Elardi held up a hand, stopping them from drawing what must be guns.
“I’ll give you twenty-four hours to think it over.” With that, Decker turned, flanked by his guards, and left.
* * *
Kendall woke from a nap, feeling much better now. Her cut didn’t hurt so much and she had more energy. Rolling over to get out of bed, she saw a red ribbon tied to the post at the foot of the bed. A yellow note was taped to the ribbon.
What the...
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood to flip the note over.
When my father first came to me with the idea to marry you, I didn’t believe I would.
What was Decker up to? She looked toward the open room door and spotted another note. Going there, she lifted that one.
I love the way you appreciate good food.
Smiling, stopping when her cut stung, she followed the ribbon out into the main living area. Seeing Decker sitting at the table before the windows, holding the other end of the ribbon, she smiled again, knowing what he was up to now.
She went to the third note near where the ribbon was tied to a lamp on a console table.
I loved the first time we made love.
She made it to the side of the sofa and read the next note, glancing at Decker, who watched her intently.
I love the connection that’s formed between us.
The second-to-last note read, You must feel it too.
Yes, she did, but did he? The last note was near his hand that held the end of the ribbon.
First meeting his eyes, feeling warm and tingly all over, she asked, “How long have you been sitting there holding that ribbon?”
“About an hour.”
She lifted the yellow note.
Last night convinced me more than ever that there is no other woman for me.
Last night had convinced her too.
“Will you marry me?” he asked.
He hadn’t told her he loved her but love had been in every single one of his notes. He had trouble admitting he had strong feelings for her that could be love. She decided right then that he was worth risking the chance that he’d never tell her he loved her.
“Yes.”
He grinned broader and stood, pulling her to him as he stood. Holding her against him, he kissed her. “That’s good, darling, because the wedding is all planned and the invitations have already been sent out.”
“How romantic,” she said, equally sarcastic as he sounded.
“I meant every word on those notes.”
“I know you did,” she whispered, kissing him.
“You know I’m going to...” She pressed her mouth to him again, “do everything in my power...” She gave him another soft peck, making him pause, “to be the husband you deserve, right?”
She withdrew and took his face between her hands. “Yes, Decker, I do.”
This time, he kissed her. Then he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.
She felt how he had let down his guard, felt him exposing his heart to her. She doubted he knew what he felt, understood its power. She only hoped that someday he would.
Chapter 16
The next day, Decker went to work consumed with thoughts of Kendall and their night together. He had felt something deep inside, something strong and gripping, for her. It disconcerted him so much that he couldn’t wait to get to work to get his mind off her. Except that hadn’t happened. She clung to him, wrapped around his heart and didn’t let go.
At nine in the morning, he received a call from Elardi, who accepted his offer. Only marginally distracted from Kendall, Decker had gone back to the casino and they’d signed a new agreement, which voided out the one between Elardi and Bernard.
Now he arrived at Hadley Forestry for a meeting with Bernard to share the good news. He couldn’t wait to get started on turning the company around, and he especially couldn’t wait to get back to Kendall and tell her everything was going to be all right now.
Bernard came out of his office and shook Decker’s hand. “I wasn’t expecting you today. Where is Kendall? How is she?”
“She’s doing better. She’s back at The Lodge.”
“What a relief. Come on into my office.” Bernard led the way and then faced Decker.
“I had a meeting with Emilio Elardi,” Decker said without preamble.
Bernard looked alarmed. “And you’re still alive?”
“We came to an understanding.”
“What kind of understanding?”
“I’ve paid your loan with him in full, with conditions,” Decker answered. “He reduced the interest and removed the requirement to provide free lumber.”
“How did you get him to agree to that?” Bernard lifted his hand with a wave. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. I just want to thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.”
“Does this mean Kendall will be safe now?” Bernard asked.
“I would assume so.” Unless the hitman decided to seek revenge. “We need to talk about my role in your company, Bernard. I’m very interested in coming to work for you.”
“What role would you want? Chief operating officer?”
“No, CEO. I need to be able to make decisions without interference from you.”
“You’d listen to my input, though, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, but I would need complete control of the business, at least until I straighten things out.”
“What do you mean, complete control?”
“I just invested a lot of money in this company. I expect to have free rein to ensure I make a profit. Now, if you aren’t comfortable with that, you can pay back the loan to me instead of Elardi. I don’t want to force you into anything.”
“I do appreciate that. If I opt to pay you the loan, will you still help me with my company?”
Decker was afraid he’d ask for that. But given the amount of money, he had to be certain all business decisions—especially financial and strategic—would be his and his alone. He didn’t have to be an expert on lumber to know how to make a company successful. Besides, it wouldn’t take him long to get up to speed.
“I’m afraid I have to ask you to choose between the two options.”
Bernard’s brow shot low. “I either hand you over controlling interest or pay you the money back?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t interfere, Decker. I’d give you free rein as long as I agree with your decisions.”
Decker sighed. “That’s the problem. If I make a decision I believe will help this company, then you have to let me.”
“If you’re sure it will, I won’t interfere. You have my word.”
His word wasn’t good enough. As a businessman, Decker never gave favors to friends or family. He didn’t know Bernard enough, least of all how he ran a business, so he’d be even less inclined to trust him.
“I’m sorry. Given the amount of money I just invested, I have to have something in writing.”
Bernard’s faced pinched slightly with anger. “Is my daughter going to marry you?”
“Yes. I proposed and she accepted.”
“Then you leave me no choice. I’ll have my lawyers draw something up.”
* * *
Decker arrived back at The Lodge and found Kendall dressed in jeans and a sweater, reclined on the sofa with a book. He loved how she smiled when she saw him. Putting down the book, she sat up as he came to her. Leaning over, he kissed her gently.
“Hi.” Last night washed through him, the proposal and her acceptance, and the deep connection he had felt with her when they had made love, so slow and sweet. She melted him with just a touch.
“Hi,” she said huskily, and he knew she felt the same.
“I have good news.”
“Oooh, I like good news.”
“I just met with your father. I paid his loan with Elardi and I’ll take over as CEO while we work to save Hadley Forestry.”
She smiled big. “Really?” Then her smile dimmed. “What? You met with Elardi?”
“Yes. Yesterday. Took care of the loan this morning.”
Her mouth formed an O. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry and I also wanted to surprise you. And now I’m glad I did.” She seemed so happy, and he wanted more than anything to keep her happy.
“Elardi agreed?”
“I didn’t give him much choice.” He watched her assimilate why. Trey had probably identified her stalker. The cops were onto Elardi.
“Boy, first you rescue me from that man, and now you’ve rescued my father.” She looped her arms over his shoulders with him still leaning over, one of his hands on the back of the sofa. She kissed him.
“What kind of arrangement did you make with my dad? Did he know you were going to meet with Elardi?”
“No. I didn’t tell anyone. He’s going to make me CEO.”
Her loving look turned to concern. “CEO?”
“Yes, so I have control of the company.”
She furrowed her brow. “You want to take control from father?”
“Only as long as it takes to make his company a success.”
“You’ll report to him, though, right?”
“No. He’ll report to me. Temporarily.”
She eased away from him and stood. “But...you’ll have control, and this is all going to be in writing?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
Now she looked angry. “You’re doing exactly what your family did to the Gilfords.”
Decker’s grandparents had thrown Mara Gilford and Russ Colton together and expanded The Colton Empire—gaining Gilford land. But then the Gilfords, like the Hadleys now, did not have the capital of the Coltons.
“I did it for you, Kendall.”
“For me?” Her eyes flashed with indignation. “You’ve stripped him of his life’s work. He built Hadley Forestry from nothing.”
“He also nearly drove it into the ground.”
Kendall turned away, putting her hand to her mouth.
“I thought you’d be happy,” Decker said. “Your family’s company is going to thrive with me running it.”
She pivoted to face him. “Like you don’t have enough to do with The Lodge? Maybe you railroaded my father just to ensure you’d be too busy to fall in love with me. Working fourteen, or sixteen hours a day, never home long enough to form any kind of meaningful relationship with me.”
Kendall was hurt and more upset than he’d ever seen her.
He stepped toward her. “Darling, I’m sorry. I truly thought this was right for you. I wouldn’t be an active executive for long, only as long as it takes to get the company back on track, then I’d hand it back over to your dad.”
“But you’d still have controlling interest.”
“That is only to ensure I’m allowed to run the company the way I want, without your father interfering.”
“It’s his company, not yours,” she snapped.
“His to run into the ground?”
That angered her further, he saw. “My father would do anything to save his company. Why do you think he agreed to your terms? He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t feel he had to.”
“He made a wise decision,” Decker said.
Kendall scoffed and turned her back again, this time storming off. She made it to the entrance of the bedroom before he took her hand and stopped her. He could not let it end like this. She couldn’t even look at him, she was so disgusted. Decker had not seen this coming. Could he afford not to have complete control of Hadley Forestry? He felt it would be a huge risk, but looking at Kendall, he also felt cornered to take it.
“Hey.” He gently tugged her toward him, until she faced him and was now against him.
She kept her face averted.
Several seconds passed before Decker spoke. “I don’t have to have controlling interest if it’s going to make you this upset.”
Warily she turned to him. She looked so adorable and so sexy, even with her bandage. Her uncovered blue eye sparkled with mistrust. She was such an honest, ethical person. He had to respect that about her.
“I’ll invest in the company and be acting CEO only as long as it takes to turn the business around.”
Saying nothing, she only continued to look at him. He couldn’t tell if sh
e believed him.
“Honestly, Kendall, I did not think you’d be this upset. I’ll schedule another meeting with your dad and have new terms drafted.”
“You would do that for me?” she asked.
“Of course. You’re going to be my wife.”
“What if he disagrees with any of your business decisions?” she prodded.
“Then I’ll have to convince him why it’s the right move to make.”
She blinked a few times, mellowing and not appearing so mistrustful. But then she said, “What if you’re wrong and he’s right?”
“I won’t be wrong.” He didn’t get where he was by being wrong.
* * *
Kendall inwardly cheered after her talk with Decker. He may not realize it yet, but he had all the signs of a man falling madly in love. If he didn’t have those feelings for her, he wouldn’t have altered his business plans for her.
He had surprised her tonight. For such a powerful man he sure did treat her tenderly.
She lay against him on the sofa, watching a movie. He had his legs on the coffee table and his arm around her.
Knocking on the door interrupted them.
She sat up to let him go see who had shown up after dinnertime.
Of course it was his father, Russ. And he didn’t look happy.
“I just found out about the deal you made with Bernard.” Russ entered.
Decker let the door close as Kendall moved to curl her legs up on the sofa to watch them over the back.
“Who told you?” Decker asked.
“One of the goons you brought with you. Are you planning on turning this family into an enemy of a criminal?”
“No. I diffused a dangerous situation.”
He had done that. But what would save Elardi from prosecution if police connected him to the man who’d attempted to kidnap her?
Kendall watched Russ as he took time before he said, “Elardi accepted your terms?”
“Yes.”
Russ nodded, seeming satisfied. “And Bernard?”
“He accepted my terms,” Decker said, sounding strong and sure.
“Which are?”
“We can talk about this tomorrow. You didn’t have to come here this late.”
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