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Chapter Seven

Delphine

Everything was starting to fray at the seams. My board were watching my every move, whispering about my nephew behind my back where they thought I couldn’t hear them and to make matters worse, the fucker called and demanded that I meet him at The Top Hat. I don’t know why he thinks a brothel is the right place to discuss the terms of him leaving Nexus alone, but here I am, waiting to be shown to our table.

I’d ever been to the Top Hat before, so I’d been unsure what to wear. In the end I’d opted for a simple black halter neck backless dress that had strands of pearls crossing and trailing down from my neck to the bottom of my back. The front dipped low, but was still suitable for public appearances.

A petite woman in glittery lingerie leads me up the stairs to a private room with a seductive smile. There’s a large viewing window, overlooking the stage below and for a moment, I’m so distracted taking it all in that I miss Weston sitting on one of the leather chairs, watching me with hungry eyes.

The room is small, with a small table, a curved booth seating area and two armchairs positioned closer to the window.

He sits there, looking handsome in another black suit, legs spread wide as he nurses a whiskey. “You look beautiful this evening.”

I roll my eyes, and order a champagne from the woman who brought me here. “What do you want, Weston?”

He flashes me a wicked smile, tongue flicking out over his bottom lip. “West. I’ve eaten your pussy like it was dessert, I think you can call me West.”

“Just answer the question.”

He lifts one shoulder lazily, taking sip of his drink as he motions for me to sit in the armchair opposite him. “Publicly accept me back into the Harrington fold.”

“No.” I don’t even need to think about it, the word just slips effortlessly from my tongue.

He nods slowly. “I have no issue forcing my way back in, I was just being gracious by offering you the easiest option.”

The pretty woman returns with my glass of champagne, leaving the bottle in an ice bucket on the side when West motions for her to do so.

“I’m not a fool.” I lift my glass to my lips and savor the taste as I swallow the first mouthful. “I welcome you into the family with open arms today, and tomorrow you’re slitting my throat and snatching away everything I’ve invested into Nexus.”

Glancing through the window, I see another beautiful woman on the stage, splashing around in a giant martini glass as part of her act. The music in the private room is quiet, and I see a set of controls behind West. He must have turned the volume down so that we could talk, only quiet seductive hints of the music filtering through the system.

Dark eyes burn into me, as his brow quirks. “We can have a legally binding agreement drawn up stating that beyond my shares, I have no interest in Nexus—no interest in being CEO. Would that make you feel better about it?”

No interest in Nexus? That was a lie. He wanted everything I had, like some spoiled child stealing everyone else's toys in the sandbox. He obviously felt wronged that my father had cut him out of the will and disinherited him. Was he here on behalf of Leon to punish me? It was supposed to be my brother in the CEO chair.

“Why would you do that when that’s clearly your aim?” Frowning, I look at my nephew, trying to find traces of my brother.

His darker hair was laced with threads of gold, the only hint of the Harrington coloring. His eyes were dark brown, so dark they were almost black, making him look demonic as his gaze moved over my body, drinking in every inch of exposed skin like a hungry wolf. The set of his jaw, and the broadness of his shoulders reminded me a little of Leon, but it had been years since I’d seen my brother—my memories of him were hazy and faded. I’d only been ten years old when he’d run away, leaving me all alone in that house.

“I know you don’t trust me, baby.” West leans forward, placing a large, warm hand on my knee. “But my plans have changed. There’s something I want more than Nexus.”

There was no denying that he was gorgeous. The chemistry between us sizzled like charged electricity, crackling and angry, desperate to be released. But it was wrong on so many levels.

Incredible sex wasn’t worth risking everything I’d worked so hard to build.

“Me?” I throw my head back and laugh until tears form. “No one throws away millions of dollars.”

Finishing my champagne, I wipe my eyes. When my laughter stops, West is sitting there looking at me with a serious expression. The hand on my knee reaches for my hand, intertwining our fingers, and for some inexplicable reason, I let him hold my hand. He binds us together, his tanned skin contrasting with my pale creaminess. Were there any similarities between us at all?

“I’m not throwing it away.” He sounds confident, and a little smug as his thumb traces lazy circles over my skin. “I’ll still have shares and my payouts. But I’m prepared to be more hands-off Nexus while my hands are on you. Or in you.”

Rolling my eyes at his rudeness makes him chuckle.

“I want you to be mine.”

“No.” I’d spent too long under someone else’s thumb, whether it was my father’s, my mother’s or the board. I wasn’t going to just hand myself to Weston on a silver platter. I was a grown woman, and I’d fought for everything I had, proving myself every step of the way.

“I won’t budge on this, Delphine. I want you.” His smile is soft as he chews on his bottom lip. How old was he, anyway? He must be under thirty. What did his file say again? He was young and beautiful, but that wasn’t enough to throw away my life for.

“It’s twisted and it’s wrong.”

“As the best things in life often are.” He chuckles again, as if this whole thing is just some simple amusement. “How about a compromise of sorts?”

Narrowing my eyes, I pour another glass of champagne. I needed a lot more alcohol for this conversation. Why was I even listening to this? Was the sex between us good? Yes. Did I want a repeat? If I was being honest with myself, deep down in the dark recesses of my soul, where everything was twisted and damaged…then yes. I did. Was it going to happen? No. So why was I still here? In case he blackmailed me? I was well aware that he could ruin me if he had footage or pictures from Club Toska.

“Give me a year. Be mine, share my bed, my life for a year.” He drains the last of his whiskey and places the glass on the floor near his foot. “We’ll spend time together. You can learn to trust me, and I’ll prove to you I'm not interested in the business beyond my shares.”

I stare at him suspiciously. Why? It made little sense.

He lifts our hands to his lips, placing a tender kiss against my fingers. “And at night, I’ll worship every inch of that incredible body of yours—how do you stay so fit by the way? Pilates?”

“Krav Maga.” I let the implications of that sink in, but it only earns me a smirk. West was cocky, bratty both inside and outside the bedroom, it appeared. “I’m not giving you a year of my life, Weston.”

Nodding, he places another kiss on my skin, sending a shiver through me. “I notice your objection is at the length of time and not the rest.”

I’d already fucked him once. In all honesty, I’d thought about him several times since our night at Toska. I’d turned that over and over in my head, pulling at the threads until I’d untangled my thoughts.

It wasn’t sex with him that was the issue; it was the ramifications of it. If it ever became public knowledge, I’d be ruined. I’d lose my business, the support of the shareholders, who already doubted me because I was a woman. I’d ruin my family name, and my father would turn in his grave. And all of that was without the added knife or blood play.

“Six months?”

“No.” I hold back a smile. He was stubborn, and that was definitely a Harrington trait.

“Fine. What about a month? But you are mine for the whole thirty days to do whatever I want.”

I pause. A month…was doable. No one needed to know, and I only had to meet him a handful of times. No—wait. Why was I even entertaining this? What was I getting out of all of this?

He said he’d back away from Nexus, but even with a contract, how was I supposed to believe that? No. I needed to take the power he’d already gained. Cut him off at the knees.

Swallowing, I lift my eyes to look at him. “I want 10% of your shares.”

West blinks, before pulling away and stroking a hand across his stubble. “It’s no surprise they say you’re a ruthless businesswoman.”

He looks thoughtful, and I don’t miss the appreciative gleam in his eye. Clearly, he liked it when I fought back. “7%, and you can still have your written agreement that I won’t ever become CEO. I won’t go any higher than that. I won’t let you push me out that easily.”

Giving me 7% left him with 10%, which still guaranteed him a seat on the board and a voice at our shareholder meetings. What was one more voice against me at the table?

“7% and I want it added into the agreement that you will never oppose me publicly without prior warning.” If he wanted to go against me, it was better to be forewarned and forearmed than be completely blindsided.

I expect him to refuse, but he reaches out to stroke my cheek. “Since you're mine for the next month, why don’t you come over here and show me just how much you hate me.”