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Fallon

? Two Weeks Later

“I ’m happy you decided to meet.”

I took a sip of my coffee, crossing my legs. Unsure of how it would go, all I could do was my best. “We won’t have much time today,” I admitted, staring at the box on the table.

This secures the room.

“Let’s get down to brass tacks, then. You have a relationship I envy, and I spent half a decade of my life being drained by your aunt. We can help each other.”

I didn’t know much about Jason Haines, but my first impression told me I knew why Augustus Vaughn chose my mother over him. He was a needy man and acted like the world owed him something.

No one owes you anything. That truth was hard to learn but was necessary.

“Why did my aunt turn on you?” I kept my expression neutral, not wanting him to see anything other than what I wanted him to.

“Greed and her unrelenting vendetta against you and your mother. I was happy to partner up with her because I wanted to get back at the Vaughn family for turning me away all those years ago, but your family has a way of conning me out of everything.”

That was an insinuation, and the way he was looking at me told me my distrust was a mutual feeling.

I perked an eyebrow over my mug while I took another calculated sip. “It seems we’re in the same boat with Sylvia, then. How do we take her down?’

He skipped over the question, probably wanting someone to hear his wails of self pity first. “I know you didn’t know your aunt well, but she is definitely the sister of your mother. Don’t get me wrong—your mother was much kinder, but they both share the same tenacity.”

A thought crossed my mind. “If we move forward, I’m aware that your loyalties lie with yourself. What other convincing arguments can you make to ensure we have a successful partnership in taking her down?”

“I would get my company back, for one.” His jaw ticked with irritation, and I saw the look in his eyes warning me to tread lightly. “Two, we finally end the line of women from your family fucking me over. I’d say, if you help me, we can be amicable.”

“Alright, then.” I nodded at him, preparing to make a deal with the devil.