The Seduction 4

My phone goes just as I’m heading out thedoor. I glance at the screen and freeze.

Vaughn.

He’s been calling non-stop, showing up atthe office, demanding to see me. I can’t bear the thought of beingin the same room as him. When I think about how I trusted him, howI opened myself up and let myself be vulnerable for the firsttime.

The wicked things he did with my body. Thepleasure I enjoyed at his masterful command.

But it’s over. Those days are behind menow.

I hit the button to ignore his call, andmake a mental note to change my number. Then I tuck my phone awayand turn to Cam with a bright, fake smile. “Let’s go!”

* * *

Lunch is downtown, at whatever the latesthot new restaurant is today. We don’t have reservations, but justone mention of the name ‘Ashcroft’ and we’re ushered past the lineand shown to the best table in the house.

“Not too shabby.” Cam grins, holding out mychair for me. I sit, looking around. It’s full of white linentablecloths and New York’s business elite, and just a few weeks agoI would have been nervous to be the center of attention, feelingall eyes on me.

Now, I see familiar faces. I smile and waveat some, acknowledge others with nods. It’s all part of the plan,the PR offensive Cam and I designed to reassure everyone that thenew head of Ashcroft Industries is in control and safe behind thewheel. Lunches, di

A few people come over to the table, payingtheir regards and enquiring after my health. “I heard you were in acoma,” one society wife gasps, her forehead not moving from all theBotox.

“Lord, no,” I laugh. “Just a sprained ankle.That’ll teach me not to break in new shoes before a big event!”

“Nicely played,” Cam murmurs as the couplemove off.

“I’m learning.” I take a breath, hoping thatthe show is over, and I can have just a few minutes to relax. Butjust as I’m sipping my water, a hush falls over the restaurant.People start to whisper, looking over at me with gossip in theireyes.

“What’s happening?” I ask Cam in a lowvoice. “Do I have something stuck in my teeth?”

Before he can reply, a shadow looms over mefrom behind.

“Keely! What a coincidence,” the voice boomsout. I look up, and my heart drops.

It’s Brent.

He’s dressed in a flashy designer suit,smiling down at me with a smarmy grin. Behind him, his adoptedsister, Isabelle, and my ass of an ex-boss Carter wait like trainedpuppies on their master’s command.

“How are you doing, sis?” Brent asks, loudenough for the whole room to hear. “You shouldn’t be out and aboutso soon, after a major head injury like that. Is your memory comingback yet?” he adds, frowning with fake concern.

“Brent, always joking around,” I laugh,getting up. I have force myself to hug and kiss him on the cheek,painfully aware that we’re the center of attention here. “It’sgreat you’re back in the country. Wasn’t there that nasty businesswith customs out of South America?”

Brent echoes my fake laugh. “I guess thisfamily likes living life on the edge.”

I try not to shudder. I never knew Ashcroftwas my father while he was alive, and Brent Isabelle and I arerelated by law, not blood, but still it freaks me out to hear himtalk about us all as family.

Still, I know what he’s doing: trying toshow we’re all just one happy group, while secretly plotting tokick me out of the company. He already tried to blackmail me byrecording a secret sex tape of me and Vaughn. Who knows what elsehe’s capable of?

Attempted murder?

Brent leans in close, and murmurs so thatnobody else can hear. “Time’s up, princess. At the next shareholdermeeting, I’m going to call a vote for Excaliber Finance to buy outthe company.”

I gasp. “You can’t. That will destroyAshcroft Industries.”

Brent sneers. “No, my father already didthat, the day he named you as his heir instead of me. Enjoy yourlunch,” he adds loudly. “That dizziness will go soon, I’msure.”

He turns on his heel and heads for a tableat the other side of the room.

My mind races. “When’s the shareholdermeeting?” I ask Cam.

“Two week time.” He looks stressed. “Maybehe’s bluffing?”

I look over at Brent, toasting his friendswith what I’m sure is the most expensive bottle of wine on themenu.

“What if he isn’t?” I can’t stand thethought. All my work, all my father’s work, suddenly destroyed.“You know what a takeover would mean. They’d strip the company forparts, lay off hundreds of people, move production to sweatshopsoverseas...”

“Easy there.” Cam covers my hand with his.He gives it a squeeze. “We’ve got two weeks to figure out who thevotes are and win them back. This isn’t over yet.”

I try to take a deep breath, but every timeI look at Brent, it turns my stomach. “I’ve lost my appetite,” Isay, pushing back my chair. “I think I’m just going to head back tomy apartment for a couple of hours. I need to figure this out.”

“Taking a rest is probably a good idea.” Camnods, looking worried. “I’ll call you a cab.”

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