Page 19 of The Donovan Dynasty

“Options should be considered.Consolidation, mergers, a sale, acquisitions, infusion of cash, shake-up in leadership.”She paused.“That’s where you come in.I need your brain.”

“Why mine?”

“You approached my father.It’s clear you’ve already seen the possibilities.You’re smart and aggressive, brilliant even.”

“That’s flattering—”

“As my husband, you’d have a seat on the board.”She’d dug out the corporation’s bylaws and confirmed that.To be certain, she had a corporate attorney going through the document as well, looking for pitfalls.“You could exert influence.I have years of insight I can offer you.It could be a marriage in name only.I’d be willing to negotiate a prenuptial agreement with you that we’d both sign.We’d naturally include a predetermined divorce date.Of course, we would keep our finances separate.We don’t even have to live together.”

He took it all in.“Very generous of you.”In his most considered way, he allowed the tension to stretch.“And what do I get out of it?”

She lowered her hands to her sides.“I’m not sure what you mean.I’ve already said you stand to make a tremendous amount of money.And I’m sure those patents are very attractive.”

“It’s not all about financial considerations.”

“You’re a businessman,” she replied.“This is an unprecedented chance for you to influence BHI’s decisions on potential mergers with Donovan Worldwide.We’re not just talking communications.Really, on any decision, we need you, myself, my mother and only one other person.We’re only talking about a year, maybe two at the outside.And like I said, I’ll make it as easy for you as possible.You’d be free to live your life as you do now.”

He noticed that the shakiness had left her voice.She was now a woman in control again, and more, someone with what she believed was a solid business proposition.Lara was clearly operating from her strength.It appealed—sheappealed—to him on a number of levels.But her suggestion would never work for him.“I have a different view of marriage than you do.”

“Oh?”

“I’d want a few things from you in return.Please sit back down.”His words weren’t a polite request.

Seeming to recognize the authority in his words, she complied without hesitation.He considered that a positive first step.“Before you persist with this idea, there are some things you need to know.”

“I’m listening.”

“If we were to get married, we would live together as man and wife.”

“I’ve already said that wouldn’t be necessary.”

“And I’m saying it will be.”He picked up a pen and threaded it through his fingers.“And that point wouldn’t be negotiable.I’d expect you to move into my loft.”

“That seems like a lot of effort.I’d only be moving back out again.”

“Non-negotiable,” he reasserted.“You can accept this term and keep the conversation moving forward, or I can thank you for coming to see me.”

“This isn’t how a negotiation works,” she protested.

“You want something.I’m telling you what I expect in return.”

“You stand to be the biggest winner here,” she said.“I think you can afford to be a bit more magnanimous.”

“I’m afraid that’s not something I’m known for.You’d do well to remember that.”

She opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it again almost right away.

“I will not have speculation about either of us or the nature of our relationship.”

“Meaning?”

“You won’t be dating other men,” he said bluntly.

She nodded.“As long as you’re discreet, I’m okay with you maintaining your friendships.”

“There would be no cheating in this relationship.For either of us.”

“The hypothetical relationship,” she corrected, feeling a bit breathless.