Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
My father brought me back to live with him, so he could play the loving family man and turn a profit while he was at it. Being a single father with a nice bankroll helped him nail pretty women. I’d been nothing more than a showpiece that only came out when he needed something.
“Wife, come here.” He took my hand and pulled me into his chest. “I want a kiss before you go.” I tilted my head, wanting so much more than a kiss, but I loved that he demanded my kisses. Silas cupped my face with both of his hands and planted his lips on mine.
Chapter Six
Silas
When I stepped into my office, my assistant was waiting there a little too close to my desk. “Okay, so I’m here for my meeting with Downers and Presley. I’d like to keep it nice and efficient.” The clients were looking forward to investing in our latest project. “Where are the files?”
“Oh, they’re right here.” She held them against her chest, arms crossed as if she was shielding them or herself from me.
“You can set them down.”
“Would you like me to get you a coffee, Sir?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. My wife made me some before I left.” I watched her face fall, smile shifting into a frown, but I didn’t care. “Make sure the conference room is prepared for the meeting.”
“Of course.”
Fifteen minutes later, I slinked into the board room where my guests were waiting. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but there have been changes to the document.” My eyes landed on my assistant, teeth clenched.
“Sorry, there were some changes to the offer.”
“Yes, I noticed they changed the rate of return.”
“So, Mr. Harrison, we’d like to discuss a possible joint deal investment on the Lancaster property.”
“That was not on our agenda for today.”
“Yes, but we heard it’s a valuable property that could really use an extra cash flow.”
I didn’t know where they heard that idea from, but it wasn’t true. I had more than enough money on the project myself personally and my group being the sole owner of the complex. This was a special investment for me, something I planned to leave for my kids.
“I’m afraid that you were misinformed. There is no need for any partnership as I am fully funding the project myself.”
“Are you sure we can’t make a deal?”
“We can’t on that issue. If you’d like to discuss the Hanson property, we can work something out. If not, I’m afraid we’re done here.” They sat there with their mouths open, but I just closed my folder and started to stand.
“Wait. We can work on the Hanson property.” I sat back down and opened the file.
“Fine. Let us discuss the percentages.” I listened to their offer and then countered with my own.
“If that’s what it takes to do business with the Harrison company, then we’ll have to take what we can get. It’s a deal.” We shook hands and then stood.
“I’ll have the paperwork drafted and sent over in twenty-four hours.” I walked them out and then returned to my office.
When I sat down, I pulled my cell phone from my desk drawer and saw a missed call from my dad. I was about to call him when my phone rang again.
“Son, please tell me that you didn’t just get married, but you also didn’t tell us,” my mother hollered over the call.
“Sorry, Mom. I couldn’t wait for you to come back.”
“You didn’t even bother to call for days?”
“I didn’t want you to come home early.”
“Ooh, Silas Johnathan, you are so on my bad list. You couldn’t wait until we returned?”
“I’d waited long enough.”
“So, it’s her, son,” my father chimed in. He knew about my search for Yelena.
“Yes, it’s her, and waiting another day more was already unbearable.”
“Are you happy?”
“Ecstatic.”
“Good. We can’t wait to meet our daughter-in-law.”
“You will as soon as you get back.”
“Aren’t you two going on a honeymoon?”
“Not yet. I plan to take her soon.”
I rolled my eyes and turned my chair toward my office door, and that was when a shadow swept underneath my office door. “Mom, Dad, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you another time.”
“Fine, brat. We love you.” I hit the end button, hit the recording device on it, and then sat my phone on the leather blotter upside down. I had an uncomfortable feeling that I had to protect myself.
“Ms. Bell, is there something you needed?” She stepped into my office, walking up to the side of my desk with her top wet and see-through. I averted my eyes.
“Um…I thought you called me in here.”
“What makes you think I called you in?”
“Um…well, you sounded stressed and I thought maybe I could help.” She moved closer, and I snapped.
“Why the fuck is your top soaked?” I asked while looking at the wall.
“I spilled water on it.”