by Tasha Fawkes
He laughs. “You better watch yourself, Rex. You know your body struggles with full fat milk.” I frown, not sure if he’s messing with me or not.
“So are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask him as I toss the cup in the trash.
His message the night before had been cryptic. He asked me to meet him here at eight, but wouldn’t elaborate on where we were going. All he said was to dress sharp. I’d even gone to the effort of washing and pressing another suit.
“We’re going to pay James Denton a visit,” Matt says with a wide smile.
“Denton?” I say with a snort. “And do what, exactly? Cut him a check?”
“No,” Matt replies. “We’re going to inform him that you’ll be attempting to take over his company.”
A pit forms in my stomach. He’s expecting me to go head on with James today? This is all getting very real. As much as I don’t want to admit it to Matt, I have no fucking idea where to even begin with this.
“Why do this now?” I ask. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to get a plan in place and then surprise him? Catch him off guard? Why give him time to prepare his own defense?” I ask, not understanding his motivation.
Matt smiles. “Trust me, this is the way to go. Not only will this scare him into making mistakes that we can use to our advantage, it will also give you an idea of just how tough this fight is going to be. James Denton is a hard nut—especially when he knows that his company is struggling.” Matt’s eyes shine as he looks at me.
“I wish you weren’t enjoying this so much,” I mutter. He’s loving this and here I am, shitting myself.
“What’s not to love? It’s a game of strategy. It’s what this business is all about.” He shrugs. “James Denton is one of the toughest men I know.” Matt looks at me pointedly. “If you think this is going to be easy, you’re in for a shock.”
“Easy?” I say with a laugh. “Have I given you any reason to think I’m underestimating how fucking hard this is going to be?” I glare at my brother. “I know I’m in over my head, Matt. Just because I want the chance to prove that I can do this, doesn’t mean I’m not appreciating its severity.”
He stares at me for a moment and then nods.
“Okay. Point taken. I’ll keep my concerns to myself.”
I roll my eyes. I’ll believe that when I see it.
Matt glances at me as we pull up outside Denton Industries.
“So is your masculinity going to be threatened if I offer to take the lead on this?” he asks.
“I’d love for you to lead this,” I reply with a scowl.
I know a dig when I hear one, and I’d love to tell Matt to stick his request, but I’m not stupid. Contrary to what some might believe, I know my limits. I'm not going to put myself in a situation that I know I can't handle, just because my ego wants to prove something to my brother. I’ve never met James, whereas Matt has.
We walk inside, and Matt breezes past the receptionist, not bothering to stop. He marches down to the boardroom, like he already owns the place. I glance at him, and he nods at me.
“Are you ready?” he asks, pushing through a heavy glass door.
I look around as ten sets of curious eyes turn to examine us. James Denton looks up from the head of the table and frowns, before recognition flashes in his eyes.
“Matt and Rex Harris,” he muses, his expression cold. Why do I get the feeling there was no love lost between James and my grandfather? “How lovely to see you both. What brings you two here? Looking for a job?” He smirks.
“Hardly,” Matt chuckles. “I prefer my employment to be stable and the company I work for not to be at risk of sinking.”
James’ frown deepens as he glares at Matt. I clasp my hands behind my back, hoping my nerves don’t show. Matt stands next to me, his confidence almost intimidating.
“We’re here as a favor to you, James.” Matt smiles, his eyes sparkling. “I thought we owed you the courtesy of informing you that we intend on taking over your company.”
James’ eyes widen slightly as a flash of surprise passes through them, but then he laughs.
“Wow. For a moment, I actually thought you were serious,” he chuckles.
“I’m deadly serious,” Matt assures him.
“Really, Matthew?” He shakes his head sadly. “Besides the fact that what you’re suggesting is ridiculous, I can promise you I will not be entertaining the idea of Liam Harris’ wet behind the ears grandsons—who are clearly riding on their grandfather’s coattails—taking over the business I spent my entire life building.”
“I’m afraid you’re not going to have much of a choice in the matter,” Matt replies. “This is happening. One way or another.”
James frowns at Matt. “You really think you’re capable of beating me?”
“I don’t have to,” Matt says. “Because I won’t be leading this takeover. Rex will be in charge of acquiring your company.”
James glances at me and laughs. “God, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in months,” he gasps. “I’m supposed to believe that Rex is capable of taking me down?”
“I’m going to take this company and everything you’ve worked for, right from under your nose,” I assure him. “I want you to doubt me, Mr. Denton. Because if you doubt me, then you’ll let your guard down, and I’ll be waiting there in the wings to swoop in. You’ll have no idea what hit you.”
James frowns at me, all traces of amusement gone.
“Shana, call security, please,” he says, glancing over his shoulder.
For a brief second, Shana meets my eyes, before she nods stiffly. She reaches for the phone. I watch her as she speaks, the words rolling off her tongue. I swallow as she presses together her plump, red lips and glares at me. I glance away, embarrassed at being caught ogling her, and in extreme danger of letting everyone in that damn room know just how attractive I think she is.
Less than two minutes later, two security officers turn up to escort us off the premises. Matt looks amused as we’re led out, I guess because we achieved what we came here to do. I hate to admit it, but I’m impressed with his approach. I never would have thought about coming here to intimidate James by revealing our intention to take over.
Outside, the guard releases me with a shove, sending me sprawling to the ground. I get up and brush myself off. Matt shakes his head, a smile on his face.
“This is going to be one hell of a battle. I hope you're up for it, little brother. It's not too late to back out of it, you know. I can still try to figure something out. Maybe there's a loophole,” he muses.
“Like there was a loophole in your case?” I snap. “How are Charlene and the child you never wanted, by the way?”
Matt frowns. “Really, Rex? That’s low, even for you.”
I sigh, regretting my little stab. I glance at Matt, wishing he believed in me.
“I can and I will do this. Now stop fucking questioning my ability.” I shrug my shoulders forward and take a deep breath.
Matt shrugs. “I’m just saying, if you found that difficult, then you’re going to struggle,” he points out. “You know you have a huge task ahead of you, right?” he adds. “I hope you know that I mean it when I said that I’d do my best to get the board on your side, but you need to show them that you're capable of doing this.”
“I know that,” I snap. I glare at him, annoyed that yet again, he had to step in and save the day for me. “So what does Denton have that we want?” I ask. “Why are we so interested in them all of a sudden?”
Matt looks surprised by my question, and then he shakes his head.
“You know about as much as I do at this stage. And to be honest, the less you know the better,” he adds. I frown, not exactly sure how that works. You’d think the more I knew about the situation, the better off I’d be.
“How am I supposed to successfully take over a company when I don't even know the reasoning behind it?” I ask.
“Sometimes too much information can cloud you
r judgment,” he says.
I'm not buying that for a second, but I nod, because I’m not going to get the answers I want from him. There is something going on. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but I'm going to figure it out. I have to, because I can't shake the feeling that something is off. Maybe Matt is right. Maybe I am being set up to fail. Only I don’t think my grandfather is the one setting me up.
Matt glances at me, a sly grin on his face. “And don’t think I didn’t notice that you couldn’t take your eyes off that chick in there,” he teases.
I flush. I’d forgotten how obvious I was. Maybe I should’ve slipped her my number.
“Who is she?” I ask casually.
“Shana. Shana Denton.”
“Denton as in…” My voice trails off.
Matt nods. “James' daughter. You know,” Matt says, a wry smile forming on his lips. “There just might be a way around taking on James Denton directly. Rumor has it that Shana has some serious Daddy issues. If you could get her on our side, maybe she could drum up support for this merger from the inside.”
“You want me to seduce his daughter to get the board on our side?” I ask.
Matt frowns at me. “Yes. Unless you have a better idea?”
“No, not really,” I mutter.
“Then it’s worth a try, right?” Matt says. “I mean, she’s so far out of your league that I’d be shocked if you manage to crack her shell, but no harm in giving it a go.”
Hearing she’s a bit of a challenge only heightens my interest in her, as does Matt’s lack of belief in me. If there's one thing I love above everything else, it’s a challenge. Matt and the board might not think I have any hope in leading us through a successful takeover, but when it comes to women, I’m more than capable of doing whatever I need to in order to succeed.
I’ll get inside Shana—figuratively speaking or course—and drag up whatever emotional wounds she holds for her father and use them to my advantage. The best way to take down a company like Denton Industries is to destroy it from the inside.
That's exactly what I plan to do.
Four
Shana
“This is not a date.”
“Bullshit,” Ash declares, waving her hand dismissively.
Her blue eyes shine as she grins at me. I cross my hands over my chest and glower at her. She’s loving this way too much. I never should have told her that he called and asked me out, or asked her over here to help me get ready.
It’s eleven thirty on Friday afternoon and I’m on an extended lunch break. My father thinks I have an appointment, so I can only imagine what he’d say if he knew what I was really up to. A date with the enemy. If that’s even what this is. Not being with anyone for over a year wasn't exactly a choice I’d made willingly, and there was something about Rex Harris that made me shiver. I’m really hoping I didn’t read his signals wrong.
If I had to sum up my initial impression of the youngest Harris brother after witnessing their first meeting with my father, it would be rude, arrogant, and very self-assured. But the way he looked at me when he and his brother waltzed into that boardroom made me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time.
“You’re having lunch with a hot guy,” Ash says, interrupting my thoughts. “It's a date, and you’re so past the stage of needing a casual hook up, it’s not even funny anymore.”
“When was it funny?” I mutter.
Ash rolls her eyes and hands me a very short black skirt and a dark blue lace top that plunges dangerously low in the front. I stare at them, wide-eyed. She has to be joking.
“This is what you want me to wear to a business meeting?” I growl.
“For the love of God, will you stop calling it a business meeting,” Ash snaps, throwing her hands up. “He called you out of the blue and asked you out to lunch, Shana. It’s a date.” She takes my hands and holds my gaze, smiling sympathetically. “Face it. This guy might be your only chance of getting laid.”
“Gee, thanks.” I frown.
“Well, you’re not exactly open to any other offers. And at least he’s interested. And hot. Right?” she says encouragingly.
I frown. I hate to admit it, but she’s right.
“I’ll compromise,” I sigh. I get to my feet and disappear into the closet, retrieving a pale pink silk blouse that will go nicely with the slutty skirt. “I’ll wear the skirt with this. Okay?”
“Deal!” She grins, clapping her hands together.
At ten minutes before twelve, I stand in the foyer of the restaurant waiting for Rex to arrive. I glance around, smoothing my palms over my skirt, trying my hardest not to look like I’m in the midst of a nervous breakdown. I catch sight of my reflection in the window, and my confidence lifts a little. At least I know I look good. Now all I have to do is hope that Rex isn’t scared off by a woman who can string a sentence together.
God, what am I doing? Why the hell did I say yes? I’m going to make a fool of myself. I’m literally setting myself up to fail, just like every other time I let myself think a guy is interested. I’m just about to leave when I spot him walking through the doors. My heart races as he smiles at me.
He saunters over like he owns the place. It’s the same way he and his brother had walked into my father’s meeting yesterday, like the takeover they were threatening him with had already happened. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I take a deep breath and force myself to smile back at him, even though I’m a mess inside.
Why didn’t I run while I still had the chance?
“Shana,” he murmurs when he reaches me.
He takes my hand and kisses it gently, his touch making me giddy. I flush, embarrassed at how my body is reacting. You’d think I was twelve with a schoolyard crush.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” he adds, his voice smooth.
“Thanks for asking me,” I say shyly, my heart skipping a beat.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks, glancing at me. He nods at the waiter, who leads us to our table.
I look at my phone, not sure whether or not to say yes. If I didn’t have to go back to work, I wouldn’t hesitate. But even the tiniest bit of alcohol consumption is likely to make me tipsy, and I still have so much work to get done. That, and I can just imagine my father’s reaction if I turn up to work intoxicated. I stifle a giggle, because I’m not sure what would annoy him more— being drunk, or the fact that I had a date with Rex Harris.
“A drink would be great,” I finally say.
With any luck, it’ll help relax me.
I sit down and place my bag over my chair, and then look around the restaurant while Rex orders us a bottle of wine. It’s a classy little restaurant that overlooks the water that, until today, I had no idea even existed. Even for lunch, it’s extremely busy. I’m impressed that Rex managed to get a reservation on such short notice. The waiter leaves, and I turn my attention back to Rex. His blue eyes lock on mine, and my heart races. He lowers his gaze down over me, and then meets my eyes.
“I’ve done my research on you, Shana,” he murmurs.
“Pardon?” I say. I sit back, because that’s not what I was expecting to hear from him.
He nods slowly, his eyes shining. “Yes. You’ve been on the board of Denton Industries for three years, no doubt just waiting for your father to notice your full potential. I bet you feel underrated and unnoticed, right? You’re just waiting for the chance to prove all of them wrong.”
I stare at him, my eyes wide as realization hits me.
This is about the takeover.
Holy shit, I’m such an idiot. I can’t believe I thought he was interested in me. The way he stared at me in that boardroom… I cringe. He set me up from the beginning. How do I even respond to that?
“You certainly have done your research,” I say, finding my voice. I’m about five seconds from losing it completely, but somehow, I manage to keep it together. “Is that why you invited me out? To discuss my career achievements?” I ask, keeping my voice lig
ht. I don’t want to give anything away.
“Not quite, though they are impressive. I actually have a proposition for you,” he says.
I frown at him, wanting nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face. He looks so sure of himself, like there’s no way I’m going to turn him down.
“I think we can help each other out, Shana. I want you to work with me to convince the board at Denton that they need us to survive.”
“And why would I do that?” I ask him, my tone cool.
“Because you yearn for someone to acknowledge you. You’re frustrated and bored with your role. You hate that you see so much potential in a company that is never going to be realized because nobody there, other than you, is prepared to take a risk.” Rex raises his eyebrows and smirks at me. “Shall I go on?”
I stare at him, not saying a word. Does he really think I’m going to fall for all that bullshit? Like he really believes anything he just said. The funny thing is, most of what he said I actually resonate with. It’s just the way he put it across makes me want nothing to do with him. What a cocky, arrogant, asshole. I get enough of that from my father.
“You have a unique opportunity to change your circumstances by taking matters into your own hands, Shana,” he says, breaking the silence. “The question is, do you have the guts to do it?”
“How do you know so much about how I feel?” I ask him, still blown away by how accurate his assessment of me is. And here I am thinking I’m a master at internalizing my feelings.
“Because I’ve been there,” he says simply. “Hell, I am there. We’re so similar, Shana. You and me. And this merger is going to happen, either smoothly or hostile. Neither of us have much control over that. But we can benefit from it.” He smiles at me. “You just need to decide if you want to use it to your advantage, or stay loyal to your father.”
“I appreciate your assertiveness and your willingness to include me in your plans,” I begin, my voice tight. “But to be honest with you, I can’t see this working. The board one hundred percent has my father’s back. If you’re looking for a way to unsettle them, I don’t think this is it. You’d struggle to find a more unified board than Denton Industries.”
