Cameron's Contract (4 page)

Her pupils remained dilated. Those soft blue irises were easy to fall into.

“My family is rich and powerful. What you don’t know, or could never know, is what this truly means.”

She reached out and grasped my forearms.

“Mia, we’re talking the kind of money that brings great power. Friends are actually your enemies.”

“Why do it then?”

“We bring tea to the masses. The company has grown into a global brand. With that comes unprecedented power. The benefits include bigger homes, faster boats, private jets, and enough champagne to drown in. The grandest prize of course is the prestige. The political power one has access to. The ability to influence world affairs.”

“Your father?”

“His first born was Cole Tea and we are constantly reminded of the fact.”

“I know he loves you.”

“Perhaps now you understand why I wanted no part in it other than the charities?”

“You prefer medicine.”

“There’s plenty of good the business does, and its charities have thrived because of my parents philanthropic pursuits.”

“You never considered going into the business?”

“It’s a life I’ve avoided.” I let out a long sigh of regret. “Yes, there’s the power I lord over Enthrall and Chrysalis, but that’s nothing compared to what it would be like to run Cole Tea. I love my life. I love you at the center of it.’

Mia was my light. My oxygen. The very air I breathed.

I pressed a fingertip to her lips. “I ask for honesty. I owe you the same privilege.”

Her frown deepened.

“The reason we’re flying to New York is serious.”

“Oh?”

“There’s an unprecedented attack on my family’s business. It’s what’s known as a hostile takeover.”

“What does it mean?”

“An acquisition company has gone directly to the shareholders in an endeavor to remove my father’s hold on Cole Tea. A tender offer was placed to merge with another company. We rejected it. We’re under attack from a proxy fight. If there’s a simple majority vote agreeing within the shareholders to replace the management, the takeover will happen. The shareholders listen to the board. The board is moving forward with the takeover.”

Mia cringed. “Oh no, you were running all over L.A. looking for me.”

“A slight detour.”

“There must be something your family can do?”

There was a knock at the door.

“Yes?” I said.

“Dr. Cole,” came the Irish lilt of Irene, our overly formal stewardess. “Your presence has been requested, sir.”

“Tell them I’ll be right there.” I hoped Shay and Henry had found something of use.

“Yes, sir.” Irene’s footsteps fell away.

“Cameron,” whispered Mia. “What can I do?”

“Be you.”

“I’ll make you proud.”

“You already do.”

“It’s going to be rough, isn’t it?”

“It’s going to be bloody.”

“We’ve faced worst monsters, Cameron.”

I stared into her eyes.

“The ones inside our mind can do just as much damage,” she whispered. “If we let them.”

“True.”

“I believe in you. If anyone can save Cole Tea, it’s you.”

“With you by my side.”

She reached for my cock and I slapped her hand away.

She gasped in surprise.

I grinned as I studied Mia’s soulful expression and I reached around to the back of her head to grab a handful of locks. Shifting my hips, positioning my cock at her entrance, I then slid all the way in, enveloping myself in the snugness of her sex.

Her breath stuttered. “Cameron.”

I pulled her toward me and whispered, “Forget the contract. We’re never going to need it.”

CHAPTER 5

LAUGHTER CARRIED UP the aisle of the plane.

Shay and Henry were sharing a joke and laughing hysterically, their legs stretched out on their footrests. Both of them were covered in a tartan blanket.

“I was told you wanted to see me?” I frowned at them playfully.

Shay beamed. “We’ve been tucked in.”

My gaze followed his toward the cockpit and settled on Irene, our redheaded stewardess. She seemed busy with the post take off checks.

Two hours ago she’d welcomed me, Shay, and Mia aboard the flight with a big Irish smile and the confidence to match. Her hair was up in a neat chignon and her stewardess uniform showed off her curves and provided an air of professionalism. Her makeup was flawless and made her look younger than her early thirties. Those deep green eyes fixed on our every move until we’d secured our seatbelts.

Irene had disappeared inside the galley, giving us all a moment to catch our breath after the day we still hadn’t quite caught up with, and for us to steady our nerves after that turbulent takeoff. I agreed with Henry. Irene hid her bad girl tattoo somewhere and something told me Henry would find out exactly where later.

“She scares the shit out of me,” he said with a smirk.

This sent Shay into another round of laughter.

I fell into the big seat next to Shay’s, laughing just as hard. It was great to see Henry relaxed considering the circumstances of why we were on this flight.

“We were making too much noise,” said Henry.

“She told you that?” I said.

“Irene asked us to be a little quieter,” explained Shay.

“She was concerned you and Mia were sleeping.” Henry arched a brow.

“Mia’s asleep now,” I said. “Coffee?”

We ordered drinks and Shay and Henry righted their chairs and pulled their blankets off them.

Shay had already filled Henry in on the Herron brothers and our final hours in L.A. Watching Henry’s reaction made me realize Decker was lucky he’d had to deal with me and not Henry. Decker would have been hospitalized had Henry met him.

“We’re handling them,” I told him.

Shay leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Adrian’s working as a security guard. His spare uniform was on a hanger.”

“Do we know where?”

“His ID gave it away. Burbank Mall.”

“We have him.”

“How did he get a job working there?” asked Henry.

“He’s a criminal without a record.”

Shay confirmed with a nod. “A DUI in Charlotte, fifteen years ago. That’s it.”

“Still drug dealing?” I asked.

“We’ll know soon,” said Shay. “I’ll have them tracked.”

“Fill me in on any developments. Let’s keep Mia out of this for now.”

“Sure.”

We moved into the conference section and took advantage of the table surrounded by six fixed chairs then readied ourselves for the long night ahead. Henry opened his laptop and we sat around with a clear view of the screen. He brought up the list of names for all ten board members.

“Here’s what we know so far,” he said. “Two weeks ago the board members were each approached and offered some kind of deal.”

“We have a spy?” I said.

“Not a member of the board,” said Henry. “Javier Marcotte is Dad’s old executive assistant and now works for Jeff Livingston, one of the board members. Javier still keeps Dad updated on the rumor mill.”

“Impressive,” said Shay.

“Dangerous for Javier,” I said. “But necessary.”

Irene pushed her cart down the aisle and prepped the coffee.  

“That better be Tempest,” said Henry dryly.

“Of course, sir,” she said. “We only have Cole Tea and Tempest Coffee on this flight.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Thank you for hosting our flight,” I said. “I know it’s late, and this was last minute.”

“I’m on call,” she said. “Your dad’s assistant told me this was important.” She looked over at Henry. “I’m sorry about earlier. Your father insisted we took off as soon as possible.”

“We needed Dr. Cole on board too.” Henry gestured to me. “Sorry I made your job more difficult, Irene. That wasn’t my intention.”

Her face softened and her blush rose. “No need to apologize, sir.”

“Henry’s a war vet,” Shay told her.

“I read that about you,” she said, looking over at him.

Henry winced.

“Which article was it?” I took the mug from Irene. “Thank you.”

“The one in the L.A. times. Mr. Cole senior gave me it to read during a flight from India a few years back.” She handed Henry his coffee. “Your dad’s so proud of you.”

Henry looked over at me.

“He’s the bravest man I know,” I said warmly. “Hell, he’s the most incredible man I know.”

Shay pointed at Henry. “We served in Afghanistan together. This officer put himself in danger to save his men. That’s the kind of man he is.”

“I’m not running for office,” said Henry. “So you can pull back on the elaboration.”

Shay leaned forward. “Henry, you knew men would die unless you entered that town to get them.”

“They were rescued because of you,” I said.

“And we all know what my reward was,” said Henry.

“A Purple Heart?” said Irene brightly.

Henry stared at her blankly. “That’s in a box now. Somewhere.”

“Did my father ever mention me?” I tried to change the subject.

“I’m sorry,” Irene stuttered. “I didn’t mean—”

“I rarely discuss it,” said Henry. “Forgive me.”

“I should get back.” She glanced toward the front of the plane.

“Some milk perhaps?” I said warmly.

She poured milk into my mug. “You’re a doctor?”

I ignored my brother’s knowing stare.

She added milk into their coffees too. “Dr. Cole, is it true you once finished the New York Times crossword puzzle in under four minutes?”

“Don’t remember that,” I said.

“You’re dad told me he’d only put the paper down for a few minutes and when he picked it up again you’d finished it.”

“So nothing about my work then?”

Irene looked surprised. “You were nine.”

“Years old?” asked Shay.

“Yes,” she said. “Apparently.”

I shrugged. “So no mention of my work?”

“We don’t really talk that much. Sorry. Your dad works during each flight. He never sleeps. Never watches a movie. Makes calls. Works on his laptop.”

“This is great coffee,” I said.

“Of course it is.” Irene smiled, then she pushed her cart off up the aisle.

“She didn’t offer us peanuts,” said Henry.

“Nine years old,” said Shay. “Seriously, Cameron, how did you do that?”

“Must have known the answers.”

Shay leaned forward on his elbows. “When did you first realize you were smarter than everyone else?”

“Wouldn’t say that.”

“Then how would you say it?”

“Maybe it’s because of nut allergies,” Henry said.

Shay chuckled. “Bet you know the answer to that one too, Cam.”

I pushed myself to my feet. “I’ll get some.”

“How do you know she has any?” said Shay, impressed. “Residual salt on Irene’s fingertips from where she’s eaten a packet herself. An empty packet in the trash?”

I beamed at him. “They were on the cart.”

More laughter flowed.

Having calmed a devastated Irene over forgetting to deliver our snacks, I returned to my seat and was rewarded with cheers. I handed over the chips, peanuts, and chocolate covered pretzels. “We’ve been warned not to ruin our appetites. Irene’s bringing menus.”

“Dinner or breakfast?” asked Shay.

“Whatever you like.”

“So glad you got a taste of her bossiness,” said Henry.

I glanced back to make sure she didn’t hear. “Actually, Henry, she’s rather compliant.”

“What did you say to her?”

“I told her we valued her time.”

“And?” said Shay.

The look I gave Shay told him Irene leaned toward submission.

“Perfect,” said Shay. “With your permission, I’d like to set up a date?”

“I thought you had a girlfriend?” said Henry.

“Not for me.”

“In that case.” Henry rose to his feet. “I don’t mind if I do.” He headed up the aisle.

“Well,” I said. “Looks like he’s going to discover Irene’s tattoo.”

Within a few minutes, Henry returned.

“That was quick,” said Shay.

“Got her phone number,” said Henry, sitting back down. “You didn’t’ seriously think I was going to…”

Shay shook his head.

I held back on a grin, avoiding eye contact with them.  

Henry blew a cold stream of air on his drink. “You guys are incorrigible.”

We spent the flight drowning in even more coffee to stay awake while scrolling through Dad’s emails that had gone back and forth between the main office and the board members, hoping to get a feel on their ability to be swayed.

Mia joined us after taking an hour long nap. We set about reviewing the social media sites, reading communications related to Cole Tea, and looking for any suspicious negative marketing campaigns that might have rendered the business vulnerable.

“Nothing,” said Henry. “There’s nothing anywhere.”

Shay held my gaze. “They’ve done this before.”

CHAPTER 6

IN THE HEART of Manhattan, nestled in the Upper East Side, rested one of New York’s biggest mansions.

The surrounding buildings belong to numerous museums and schools and a few other homes owned by the ultra-rich. This imperial structure honored the once popular Georgian vision, with its spectacular façade, and was once the home of my childhood.

Henry, Shay, Mia, and I stood in the foyer.

The butler had gone off to let my mother know we’d arrived.

All of us lined up shoulder to shoulder, and we were equally intimidated by all this splendor.

This place was vast.

Early morning sunlight burst into the foyer—an assault on both my eyes and the rest of my senses. I’d still not slept, though was reassured Shay, Henry, and Mia had gotten some sleep during the flight.

The décor was decadently layered in burgundy drapes, giant vases, dramatic ten foot paintings, and gold plated everything. The designer had seemingly picked up France’s Palace of Versailles and set it down here.

Over there, in the left hand corner, I’d broken my big toe as a kid when I’d run into that Qing Dynasty vase and it had tipped over and landed on my foot. The vase was fine apparently, and Nanny had kept her promise to never report the mishap to Mom.