Page 22 of Cameron's Contract

“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.