Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,30

to discuss and modify them as you see fit. We expect all of the Tier 2 recommendations to be implemented, but how that’s done is ultimately up to you. Tier 3 recommendations are modifications that are left to your discretion. You have the freedom to adopt them, modify them, or disregard them. I would challenge you to take a serious look and consider any recommendations we offer, however, before discarding them. We have a strong track record at turning things around. If you haven’t already, I have a list of clients you may wish to speak with regarding the process.”

“My uncle would probably like that. I think that will help settle some of his concerns.” She leans forward and presses the pad of her forefinger on the burnished wood. “Mr. La Rouge, excuse me if this is silly, but am I to understand Sterling Enterprises is taking on Atwood Estates as a client?”

“Grace…” I lean forward, placing myself closer to her. “This may be business, but call me Brody. We’re friends.”

“We were friends.” The way she grinds out the words says she’s not pleased at all. “That’s not what we are now.” Sharp and cutting, she draws a line in the sand. “It’s best we keep this strictly professional.”

I’m not okay with that. I didn’t get where I am by turning away from a challenge. I ignore her comment and continue as if I didn’t hear it.

“I’ll personally be taking Atwood Estates on as a client. I have a vested interest in seeing you succeed.”

My statement is vague and open to interpretation any number of ways. I intend to find my way back into her life, and I’m not above pressuring her. She’s wired to respond to my commands—at least, there was a time when that was true—and I’m hopeful her need to acquiesce to my demands remains. I’m desperately hopeful. If not, I’m prepared to beg.

Her uncle takes what I said for the promise that Sterling Enterprises will take Atwood Estates on as a client. Grace, who’s far more savvy than I appreciate, hears the subtext I imply. She doesn’t like it one bit. I may find myself on my knees.

“I don’t want to waste your time. I’m sure anyone in your acquisition’s department can handle our case.” Grace crosses her arms and legs, completely closing herself off to me. Any thoughts of pressuring her to do as I want go right out the window. She’s not the same girl I knew.

“Nevertheless, you’re stuck with me.” I make a show of looking at my watch. “Now, I think a celebratory lunch is in order. Katy has booked us a table at one of my favorite restaurants.”

I make sure to set Grace up so that it’s impossible for her to refuse. She’s dying to get away from me, which makes me all the more eager to keep her with me.

“We really don’t want…” Her cheeks turn pink with indignation.

“It’s already arranged. Over lunch, we can discuss when would be a good time for me to come around and see Atwood Estates in person.”

“Wow, this is really great.” Hesitant, Mark seems to warm up to the entire idea. He’s going to be my biggest ally in my quest to reacquaint myself with Grace Atwood.

I turn off the computer screen and push away from the table. The business portion of this meeting is over. Now, it’s personal.

“Shall we?”

The fire in Grace’s eyes makes me smirk. I outmaneuvered her, and she’s not happy about it.

Bring your best game, Grace Atwood, because I always get what I want. And I want you.

Twelve

Grace

Lunch? With Brody?

This is my worst nightmare. And he’s taking a ‘vested’ interest in this project?

Not so subtle on the subtext there, dude. I know exactly what you’re doing.

Bastard’s trying to worm his way into my life, make me lower my shields, and then what? Swoop in and destroy me like he did a decade ago?

Not happening Brody La Rouge. Not happening at all.

But it’s a lunch meeting. With his personal oversight of our project, there will more than likely be others. I must find a way to deal with him in a social setting, and while there’s no way to avoid that, I’m not going to make things easy on him. I’ll do what I must to get Atwood Estates out of the red and back in the black, but that’s it. After this damn lunch, there will be very limited interactions.

He didn’t like me calling him Mr. La Rouge. I file