Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
My grip on the back of the leather chair tightens audibly. I’ve read every bit of dirt there is on Grant Fraser. All my information pointed to him being single since his wife passed over a decade ago. Apparently, that isn’t the case. He’s seeing someone much, much younger. Someone that has no business with an old man like him. In fact, she’d be far more suited for–
“Is this him?” she asks brightly before taking the seat next to Fraser.
Fraser nods. “Vargas Fontaine, please meet my daughter, Cadence.”
Daughter. A light flips on in my mind. I knew he had a daughter, but I was thinking of her as off at college or maybe playing tennis, perhaps doing brunch or hobnobbing with all the other rich kid brats. Instead, she’s here. She’s here looking like a goddamn temptress in her little white skirt suit with the pink top underneath.
“A pleasure to meet you.” I keep my tone measured despite the way my heart seems to be stampeding against my ribs.
She smiles up at me, her left hand on the table, and she taps her finger once. “Nice to meet you as well.”
“I didn’t realize this deal was a family affair.” I take my seat across from Cadence, my gaze tangling with hers as she quickly glances down at the table, then back up at me.
“Cadence is learning the ropes.”
“Not to take over the business, I hope?” I smirk. “That’s my job.”
She blinks at me, her big blue eyes like the coolest pools of water in the world, then offers a small smile.
“Let’s get back to brass tacks, shall we?” Fraser leans forward. “You’ve offered 1.1, but you damn well know we’re worth at least 1.5. Why not make an offer I can take to the board?”
“The assets we’re negotiating for are barely worth the 1.1.” I shake my head.
Cadence taps her finger twice. I glance at her hand, then back at her face. She smiles sweetly at me then leans back, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“Well, if you were to review the valuations prepared by Goldm–”
“Can it, Mark. He’s not even being serious.” Fraser silences his attorney, then glares at me. “You damn well know you’re low-balling us.”
I let out a long-suffering sigh. “I’ve made the best offer I can.”
Tap-tap goes her finger on the arm of her chair. It’s a movement most people wouldn’t notice. Perhaps they’d ascribe it to some sort of tic. But it’s more than that. She’s still looking at me with a pleasant expression. God, the mouth on her. The way her lips part the slightest bit, plump and inviting.
“We both know that’s not true.” Fraser scoffs.
I shrug. “The Citibank M&A team valued your business at 1.2, no more.”
Tap. Another unobtrusive moment, barely noticeable. But Fraser gives it away. He’s not looking directly at it, but he’s noticing. He’s watching from the corner of his eye while trying not to seem obvious. There’s some secret language between them, and I’m curious to know what it is and why Cadence can’t say what she’s thinking aloud.
Fraser throws his hands up. “Citi? Ha! Citi has been trying to fuck me over for years. Half their M&A department are financial hucksters I fired from our team for trying to cook our books. That’s probably the reason you wanted them on this deal. You knew they’d undervalue me just to screw me.” Fraser shakes his head. “You’ll have to do better than that, Vargas.” He stands, Cadence rising with him. “If you want to keep playing games, then I don’t have time for this. I have a business to run. You can see yourself out.” He strides to the door, opening it for Cadence who hurries through with a demure bow of her head.
The attorney scurries behind them like a rat, following them out the door as I sit and watch them go. This is another power move on Fraser’s part, one I saw coming. But there was one part of this negotiation that blindsided me. Cadence.
2
CADENCE
“You were late” are the first words out of my father's mouth when we’re alone. I knew he was going to say that. You don’t have to be a mind reader to predict that. He is rather predictable, but most people tend to be. Well, to me anyway.
“Sorry, Sassy is still getting used to our new place.” Her name should tell everyone all they need to know. She never makes anything easy. But I love that little fur baby regardless.
“This is already a problem.”
“It’s not.” I reach up to fix his tie. “I’m fine.” He lets out a long sigh, not agreeing with me.
This had been part of our deal. I made him promise me that when I turned twenty-one, he would let me go live on my own. He didn’t have much of a choice. My father knew if he lied, I’d know it. I dug my heels in and threatened to quit. I think it shocked him. I don’t often push back against him.