Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 130286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“No, I don’t think it’s Slade. Something isn’t adding up though. For Labex to suddenly hesitate
when they have everything they asked for on a silver platter . . . there has to be an offer on the table we aren’t seeing.”
“Are you saying there’s a mole?” Lucian frowned and did a quick inventory of his staff. This deal
was huge. Over eighteen months poured into schmoozing and negotiating in order to get Labex, a
green energy provider, to put their accounts in the care of Patras. They’d be handling everything from
the site modifications, to warehousing their equipment, to managing their accounts. “Who else could
compete with our offer?”
“Aside from Slade? I don’t know.”
Flicking on his computer, he grimaced.
“Mr. Patras, I have Mr. Quincy on line one,” Seth piped in over the intercom.
“Shamus, I do not want to lose this deal. It’s a good partnership, and the mere idea of someone fucking with us is irritating. I want to find out who it is and I want them dealt with. Have Margarite do a search on all vacant warehouses in Folsom. I’ll get Seth to arrange a dinner tonight, someplace nice.
We’ll do some ass-kissing and dig around. Whoever’s playing with us is about to get a severe lesson
in business acumen.”
“You got it. Let me know how you make out with Quincy.”
“Will do.” He ended his call and snatched up his desk phone. “Quincy.”
The long series of phone calls that followed did nothing but frustrate everyone involved. Lucian had
a staff of over one hundred involved in this deal, and they were all running around like headless
chickens trying to find where their plan had fallen short.
By two, he was ready to flip his desk and demand a meeting with Jacobi, the CEO of Labex Green,
but knew that would only show his cards and not bode well for anyone. Dinner was arranged for that
evening, and he and Jamie would do everything in their power to control the damage.
Finally, the call he’d been waiting for came. He snatched up his cell. “Dugan?”
“Got it,” his chauffer said.
Lucian smiled with great satisfaction. She had to know it was only a matter of time. “I’ll be down in
five.”
He grabbed his jacket and left his office. “I’ll be back in an hour. Text me with any news regarding
Labex. Everything else can wait.”
Seth nodded and continued to frantically compile the schematics Lucian requested for that evening.
As he strode into the elevator, he slipped his master key into the grid, in no mood to deal with other
passengers. The ride to the ground was made in luxurious silence. When the dial showed he’d reached
the lobby without interruption, he withdrew his key and stepped onto the marble tiles.
Pressing through the revolving glass doors, he found Dugan waiting. His chauffeur opened the back
door of the limo and Lucian glided onto the smooth leather seat. “Where are we heading?”
Dugan smiled. “Clemons Market, sir.”
The door shut with a soft snick and they were soon on their way. He hadn’t heard from Evelyn since
early that morning. He wondered how committed she was to her “plans” that evening. It would benefit
him if she accompanied him to their dinner meeting, making it seem more casual than manipulative, a
sort of preemptive celebration of the partnership to come. Much of his success in business was the
result of assuming victory from the first handshake.
He groaned as he considered Shamus, if he intended to bring a date, would likely ask his sister Toni.
Lucian could not wait for that ridiculous coupling to run its course and be over.
Toni was the farthest thing from reserved. She spoke too much and most of the time came off
spoiled and unworldly. It wasn’t her fault. She was young. He couldn’t fault her for her lack of
experience. It was her need to fill every bit of silence with mindless chatter that could hinder his plans for the evening. Evelyn was much better at knowing when words were necessary and when less was
more in terms of finessing professionals.
He drew out his phone and texted Jamie.
Are you going stag tonight?
It only took a moment for his friend to reply.
Your sister would cut off my nuts if I took someone else. So, yes. It’s better she thinks this is strictly business and no one’s feelings will be hurt.
Lucian drew in a breath of relief. The one thing he couldn’t deny was that his friend truly knew his
sister . . . and her faults.
I may bring Evelyn, but she already has plans, but I’d like her to go.
The time to reply exceeded the norm and Lucian knew his friend was laughing at his expense.
So she’s speaking to you again? And plans? Without you? I didn’t know that was allowed.
Lucian carefully typed each letter of his reply.
Fuck. You.
Shamus’ reply was quick.
Lol. Would if I could. I’m very good. Ask your sister.
He wasn’t touching that one. Wedging his phone in his breast pocket, he shifted as Dugan pulled