Rich (Benson Security #5) - Janet Elizabeth Henderson Page 0,16

in this day and age. Where did you find him?”

“I thought we’d already established that I rent him by the hour,” Rachel said, making Harvard laugh. At least she’d picked up on her cousin’s earlier dig. “And let me tell you, services the likes of which Harvard provides don’t come cheap.” Solemnly, she looked up at him. “It’s no wonder you don’t need my money. You make enough of your own.”

“You know.” Samantha considered her cousin. “I think you’ve also become more sarcastic since you went to work for this security company.”

“I don’t work for them,” Rachel said. “They work for me. I’m a partner.”

“Well, you were,” Jonathan said, reminding them of the other half of their cover.

“You were?” Marcus leaned forward, yet another full glass of whiskey in his hand and a glazed look in his eye. The man was at least three sheets to the wind. “Did you sell your stake? What are you doing now? I thought you’d found your niche at Benson Security.”

“I did find my niche, but now it’s time to move on. After I came into my TayFor shares last year, my interest in the company returned, and I found that I wanted to be more involved. As of Monday, I’ll be working at the main office with the rest of you. Meet the new director of special projects.” She gave a little bow.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, her cousins erupted.

“I’m so glad you’re coming back.” Samantha pulled her into a hug. “I hate being the only female in our generation who’s there. Now I’ll have backup.”

“I never understood why you left in the first place,” Marcus said. “I always expected you’d become CEO after your father retired. Not that Jonathan isn’t great.” He winced in Jonathan’s direction before holding up his drink in a tipsy salute. “Sorry, old chap.”

Jonathan’s laugh was good-natured. “I thought the same thing. In fact, if Rachel is back for good, I might try to talk her into taking over.”

“As the official company lawyer,” Preston said, “I’d like to point out that you can’t exactly hand the CEO role over to your sister. Which, given that you also studied law, is something you should know. It’s got nothing to do with her ability. We all know she could boss us around blindfolded. It’s more to do with perception. To the rest of the pharmaceutical industry, Rachel is an unknown. You’d be wiser to offer it to the family members who already work at TayFor first, then if they—we—decline, it’s all Rachel’s.”

“Don’t worry,” Rachel said. “I don’t want to become CEO. Jonathan is stuck with the role, but it will be interesting to be back in the fold.”

“We need to celebrate,” Marcus said then looked around. “Oh, wait. We already are.” He cheerfully swayed in place, sloshing his drink over the front of his shirt. He didn’t seem to notice he was now wearing his whiskey. “Listen up, everyone,” he shouted.

The noise gradually died down as he gained their attention.

“Is this necessary?” Rachel sounded bored as she toyed with the locket she always wore.

“Yes, it’s necessary,” Marcus said before raising his voice. “It turns out that it’s a double celebration tonight.”

There was a gasp, and every eye shot to Rachel’s mother. She had her hands on her cheeks, her eyes wide, just like the poster image for Home Alone. “You’re pregnant?”

“What? No!” Rachel snapped. “Honestly, Mother. That’s the first place your mind goes?”

“A woman can hope.” She shrugged.

“Anyway,” Marcus slurred loudly. “The news is that Rachel is coming back to work at TayFor. From Monday morning, we’ll have another Talbot in the building. Where she belongs.”

There was a cheer.

“About time,” her Uncle Theo called.

“Welcome home, Rachel,” her father shouted.

She shook her head at them in disgust before turning to Harvard. “Well, that was unnecessary. Come on, Grandmother insists on meeting you. Once she’s done embarrassing me, I’m going home. I’ve had enough for one night.”

He was kind of impressed she’d told him her plans rather than skipping out on him. “Lead the way,” he said as he nodded his goodbyes to her cousins.

Chapter Five

“I like your family,” Harvard said during their drive back to London. For some reason, his voice sounded deeper and more sensual in the dark intimacy of the car. “Your immediate family, that is.”

“You seem surprised. Is it because they’re nothing like me?”

Rachel was very much aware that she was the black sheep of the family. She always had been, even before she’d decided on