by Violet Paige
Cole exhaled. “Not really.”
“Then stop second-guessing me. We have the launch in Vegas in two weeks. The timing couldn’t have been better.”
“Cal Mantelli is a dick. The fact that you got into business with him in the first place makes me wonder what in the hell you’re doing these days.”
Deacon waved him off. “It wasn’t business. It was a bet. He’s the one who lost. Not me.” He threw back his drink.
“Give me one of those.” Cole walked toward the bar, waiting for a stiff drink. “I need a double after this fuckup of yours.”
Deacon laughed. “Cal texted. The payment is on the way.”
Cole shook his head. “Payment? That’s what you’re calling it?”
The city loomed behind them. It was a bright windy day in Chicago. The co-CEOs were so high above the city neither could make out the people walking below on the sidewalk.
Deacon’s suites extended one length of the skyscraper, while Cole’s spanned the opposite side.
“Cal lost,” Deacon explained. “I don’t know why you’re so pissed at me.”
Cole’s blue eyes fired. “Because the payment is a girl. You bet an actual woman for us?”
Deacon grinned like a wolf. “I sure did. And she’s fucking gorgeous.”
“Like that makes this any better.”
“Want to see her picture again? Might help you commit to how real this is.”
Cole groaned, “I don’t need her picture. This is unorthodox. Even for you.”
“Relax.” Deacon patted the leather sofa. “She’s our guest.”
“An unwilling guest,” he reminded his friend. “I doubt she had a say in this entire thing.”
“A month with us and I think that has the possibility to change.”
“We don’t even know her. What if she’s like Cal? Have you thought about that? She could be the scum of the Earth like him.”
“Stop being so damn pessimistic.”
“It’s called being realistic. You don’t know what the fallout from this is going to be.”
Deacon shrugged. “Details.”
“While I’m trying to keep our empire going, you’re thinking with your cock as usual.” Cole swirled the bourbon in his glass and inhaled half of it. It burned going down. But he needed it to cope with what his best friend had done.
“Our empire needs an empress. Don’t you think?”
Cole pressed his elbows into his knees. It was hard to deny what Deacon said. The company didn’t run as smoothly when they were spinning in bachelor purgatory. They needed a woman. They thrived when they had one.
It had been too long since they had shared a bed.
“We’ve never done it this way.” Cole looked up.
“Doesn’t mean, it’s not the right way.” Deacon was confident there was nothing wrong with his bet. Nothing to regret. Collecting his debt from Cal Mantelli was the only right thing to do as far as he was concerned.
“There was nothing else of Cal’s you wanted? Nothing at all?” Cole pressed him. The fact that a woman was getting ready to be delivered to the HiTech Global offices wasn’t something he could picture.
Deacon scoffed. “Would you suggest I take one of his burned out warehouses or one of his taxi fleets?” He shook his head. “He doesn’t have anything I want. Except this.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Then who let him in the game if he doesn’t have anything to gamble with? You should have known better than to let a loser like Cal Mantelli into a game with those kind of stakes. He didn’t have anything valuable from the start, Deac.”
Deacon drank the rest of the bourbon in his glass. “He does. He has her. As far as I’m concerned she’s all the payment I need for thirty days.”
“This is fucking unbelievable. Thirty days with someone who is a stranger.”
Deacon laughed. He was always the risk-taker. Cole knew HiTech Global wouldn’t be where it was if his friend hadn’t been willing to try the adventurous deals. Make decisions no one else would touch. But it didn’t end with business decisions. Deacon let everything bleed over into his personal life. He seemed to like it best when his two worlds collided. That meant it melted into one, for Cole too.
Cole hated he had to the rational one. The one who kept his head down. The one who constantly brought his friend back on track.
But he knew when he had to back down. There was no talking him out of this one. “But nothing changes, man. It’s on her terms.”
Deacon smiled. “Of course it is. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want her if she wasn’t the one asking for us.”
Cole knew that to be true. Deacon was stubborn and prideful. He’d never chased after a woman. His cockiness prevented him from ever throwing his heart into a relationship. It was the reason they lost Tessa.
All she wanted was to hear him say the words. She would have done anything for them. But Deacon couldn’t let his guard down long enough to be vulnerable.
Cole worried he never would.
The conversation was interrupted when Deacon’s private elevator buzzed. He pressed the speaker button.
“Yes?”
“It’s Johnson. I have your payment from Cal Mantelli.”
Deacon eyes lit. He punched in the code that would give Johnson access to use the executive level. “We were wondering where you were.”
“It took a little longer than I thought. I’ll be right up.”
Cole looked at his friend. “You sure you don’t want to back out of this? Have Johnson take her back?”
“No fucking way. I won her fair and square. You’re going to thank me. I swear.”
They stood as the lights on the elevator in the corner office began to illuminate. Cole straightened his tie and tugged on the pressed cuffs of his shirt. Deacon straightened his tailored jacket. There was a nervous energy that ran between them.
The doors retracted and Johnson walked into the office, carrying a woman over his shoulder.
“Put me down,” she squealed. She kicked and thrashed in his hold. Her blond hair flew in all directions.
All he could see were limbs.
“That’s enough, Johnson,” Cole instructed him. He didn’t like how this was going.
Deacon stood next to him as Johnson unwrapped the girl from his grasp and placed her feet on the floor. His hands wrapped around her waist while she squirmed free and pushed forward away from him.
For a second, Cole thought the world fell away.
She brushed her long locks from her face. Her green eyes glowered with anger. Her cheeks were flush and her plump lips with in a perfect heart shape. Fuck. His ribs felt as if they were caving in.
She was beyond beautiful. She was stunning.
He broke his gaze to look at Deacon. Cole had no idea what to say.
He realized for the first time, his best friend didn’t either.
3
Abby
Her chest heaved with giant breaths. She threw the man’s arms off her. “Stop touching me,” she spat. “You’re disgusting.” He wore too much cologne, but it was mixed with sweat, creating a pungent odor. It reminded her of the cramped coat closet. It felt as if his scent clung to her leather jacket and sweater.
“Delivered as requested,” he announced. He presented her as if she were some kind of prize cattle at a fair.
“Yes, we can see that.”
She shoved the hair from her face. Abby’s eyes lifted to the men standing in front of her. She felt as if she were a wild cat. Feral enough to pounce on them and attack. Maybe fight her way to freedom. The only problem was she had to get through their hired brute first. She knew he was a wall of pure muscle and outmatched her in every way.
“That’s all we need, Johnson.” One of the men dismissed her escort. “Your payment is in your account. I made sure it was processed immediately.”
“Thank you. Always a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Rockford.”
Abby swallowed. Did he say “Rockford?” As
in Deacon Rockford? Her heart hammered harder in her chest.
Johnson chuckled. “Watch out for this one. She’s feisty. You’ll see what I mean.” He blew her a kiss.
Abby glared at her captor as he retraced his steps to the elevator. Within seconds the doors closed behind him and he was gone.
It took Abby a minute to get her bearings. Riding in the back of a trunk had made her nauseated. She had been roughly pulled into the elevator and deposited in front of two men dressed in expensive suits.
Every possible scenario had gone through her head during the car ride. She never thought she’d end up at the top of one of the tallest buildings in Chicago. And certainly not standing in front of the city’s most eligible and famous bachelors. It wasn’t just any office. It was immaculate. Designed with every detail in mind.
“Now that he’s gone, maybe we could introduce ourselves properly. I’m Cole.” As he extended his palm toward her, Abby’s eyes narrowed.
“I know exactly who you are, Cole Evans.”
He dropped his hand.
“Then I assume you know I’m Deacon Rockford.”
“I don’t really care who you are.” She pulled her shoulders back. “What do you want with me?” She wasn’t interested in stroking their egos with how much she had read about them.
Cole smiled. He had perfect straight teeth. Maybe the best smile she’d ever seen. “Perhaps we could start with a drink? We have a full bar. Anything you want. Are you a martini drinker?”
“I don’t want anything of yours. I want an explanation and I want you to let me go.”
Deacon rubbed his chin. “That’s going to be difficult, sweetheart. At least for the next thirty days.”
“I won’t do it.”
“Do what?” Cole asked.
She didn’t want to play games. She had been a member of the Mantelli family long enough to know how these arrangements worked. She had witnessed them, but never thought she would actually be part of one. These were the kinds of things that happened to other people—not her. She had done everything she could to stay out of the business since last year.
“I won’t sleep with you,” she hissed. “Neither of you.”
Deacon chuckled. It was enough to make her want to lunge at him. He had a sexy smile, that made him even more irritating. Did women find his cockiness attractive? Was that how he got his reputation.
“I’m only offering drinks,” Cole stated. “How about a glass of wine so we can talk? No sex right now. I promise. We are at the office, my dear.”
She didn’t want to move an inch in their direction. She didn’t like how they mocked her. Or how apparent their sex appeal was. They had to be close to 6’3” or 6’4”. Deacon was slightly taller than Cole. Along with the height came broad shoulders and chiseled jaws. If she didn’t know better, she could have mistaken them from brothers. One with light features. The other with dark.
“Come on, sweetheart.” Deacon opened a hand toward her. “We won’t bite. We want to talk. Let’s get to know each other a little.”
“I was sold into an arrangement without my consent by my cousin, stuffed in the trunk of a car, dragged in here against my will, and you think cocktail hour is a problem I need to consider? And I hate martinis.”
“That answers one question.” Cole corked the gin and poured a glass of deep red wine. “It sounds like if anyone needs a drink, it would be you. Here. Drink.”
She stormed over to the bar. “Fine.” She snatched the goblet from his hand.
“Good. I hope you enjoy it. Let’s sit.” He pointed to an open chair for her.
Abby took a sit and assessed her new set of captors. Her heart still pounded, but after a sip of wine, she was calm enough to consider a conversation rather than arguing. The rage had settled to a low boil.
Deacon’s dark gaze was distracting. His eyes trailed all over her body. It made her feel strangely uncomfortable and attractive at the same time. Cole didn’t make things any better. His blue eyes were like something out of a movie. She had never seen blue that color before.
They were certainly an upgrade from Johnson and his burly hands.
She took another gulp of wine. Maybe getting drunk was the answer.
“Abby, Deacon and I want you to know you are our guest during this arrangement.”
“Guest?” she sputtered on the wine. “A guest who can never leave? A guest who didn’t accept an invitation?”
She saw the look that transpired between them.
“We don’t have that level of trust yet,” Cole explained. “The terms of the arrangement are that you are to remain in Deacon’s custody for thirty days. I don’t see why as time goes by you can start to have more freedom to come and go. That has to be earned of course.”
Her eyes darted to Deacon. “This is your debt Cal has to pay? You wanted a prisoner?”
He nodded. He didn’t bother to hide his smile. “The best game of poker I’ve ever won.”
“Poker? I’m here because of poker? A stupid game of poker,” she muttered under her breath.
Cole shook his head. “Jesus, Deac. Do you have to be an ass from the get-go?” He traded seats so he could sit next to Abby. Cole seemed to be the more level-headed one between the two.
“Deacon and I are business partners. Co-CEOs to be exact.”
“I know all about HiTech Global. I hate to admit it, but I used to study your graphic arts department.” She bit her tongue. She had studied more than their graphics, but that was a secret she had to keep.
“Really?”
Abby nodded. “I said I used to.” That was in the past.
Cole bit the inside of his cheek and turned toward Deacon. “What’s your background Abby?”
“Are you saying you didn’t get a bid sheet on me?” she mocked.
“I was hoping for something more personal than that.”
“I’m Cal Mantelli’s cousin,” she answered reluctantly.
“No, not that. What are you interests? Skills? Did you go to college? Tell us something about yourself.”
The wine made her feel fiercer than she actually was. The adrenaline had started to fade and she was nervous. She didn’t know if she could handle these two tycoons.
“Yes I graduated the top of my class with a visual arts degree. Why? Are you trying to figure out if that deducts points because I might have operating brain cells? Does that intimidate you?”
Cole pressed his lips together. “No. I like a smart woman.” He rubbed his chin. “I thought you might be interested in a job while you are here.”
Deacon leaned forward. “Cole, we haven’t discussed this. What did you have in mind?”
The men turned toward each other. “We need an artist to design the logo and complete interface for the Rockans Foundation,” Cole answered.
“But that’s a high-level campaign. I’ve been considering candidates for weeks. It’s the pinnacle of the Vegas launch.”
Abby leaned back in her chair while they discussed her. It was no different than Cal.
“She’s here. She has a degree. I think we could use a fresh take on the art,” Cole argued.
“This isn’t the type of project that can be completed in thirty days. It’s our cornerstone.”
Cole smiled. “Perhaps, she’s the type of artist who would like the challenge and would stay beyond the requirement.”
His sapphire eyes landed on hers and her heart stilled. As much as she had tried to be unaffected by them, it wasn’t working.
“I never agreed to any of this.”
Cole exhaled. “I’m trying to make this worth your while. Deacon is right. The art director for this campaign should be a seasoned expert. Someone with years of experience in the industry. Honestly, I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone without those credentials. Why not take the job for the next month and see what you can do with it?”
“Are you serious?” She cocked her head sidewise. “You’re trying to sugarcoat this with a job offer?”<
br />
Deacon smirked. “I’d take it sweetheart. Cole is being more than generous.”
“Right. Of course.” She settled into the chair. “Just tell me. Along with the art, what do I have to do to get your trust so I can leave when I want? Daily blowjobs? Would that work?”
Deacon leaned forward. “You are our guest. You are our travel companion. And we will never order or ask you for anything sexual. Is that understood?”
She noticed how his neck tensed. The easy smile he had faded.
She nodded, yet she didn’t completely believe him. Why else would they want her to stay with them?
“Dinner is at six o’clock,” Cole explained. “We will see you then.”
“Are you dismissing me?”
“Did you need something else?” he asked. “Douglas is in the hall. He will escort you the house. He will show you to your room. You’ll find everything you need there. We will see you at dinner.”
Abby rose from the chair in disbelief. “I’m taking the wine with me.” She clutched the wine and marched out of the office. She had no idea what in the hell had just happened.
4
Deacon
He spun around to face Cole. He didn’t know if he had the words to describe what just happened. Shit like that didn’t happen to him. Never.
“Fuck, did you see her?”
Cole shook his head. “Yeah, I saw her.”
“She hates us, doesn’t she?”
“What did you think would happen? You bought her in a poker game. Why couldn’t you stick with gambling for cars or horses? Cash? Why her, Deac. Why?”
Deacon pushed off the couch and paced around the room. “Damn. She’s perfect. More than perfect.” He hung his head. “She is incredible.” He’d never seen more beautiful lips on a woman. Her hair was golden—it almost shimmered as if she were an angel. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
“You wanted an empress.”
“Instead I got a caged panther.”
Cole stood next to him. “I’d say back out of the deal, but…”
He cut him off. “No. We can’t let her go.”
Cole shook his head. “No. We can’t. On this, I actually agree with you for once. Even if I completely disagree with how she came to us.”
