Powerless (Power Series Book 1)

by Lauren Cooper

  “What’s wrong Becca?” I demand through clenched teeth. Her gaze immediately lands back on mine before she continues.

  “Sorry. I didn’t come by and ask if you needed anything?” she asks with a small smile.

  “We’re good. Thank you” I ask before she turns to leave, shutting the door behind her.

  “I think we’re done here” I say, crossing my arms across my chest again. Can you imagine if I had kissed him? Way to go Mia! Kiss your new business partner, that will work out well! I grab my phone from the table, avoiding looking in his direction because I know if I look, I’ll find him staring at me. I reach for the door handle, but Liam slaps a strong arm across the door to stop me. I jump a little at his action before looking up at him.

  “Have dinner with me” he demands, as I glance between his face and his arm on the door. Long, manicured fingers are splayed out against the glass, I wonder what damage he could do to me with those. My baser needs are screaming to be answered by this man, and it’s taking everything in my being to calm the fuck down.

  I can’t seem to look away from him, I clear my throat before attempting to speak again. “Liam… no, I … don’t think that’s very professional, do you?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I feel power coming back to me.

  “It’s only dinner Amelia. It’s not like I asked to fuck you” My eyebrows shoot to the top of my head at how brazen he is. I practically gawk at him, what am I supposed to say to that? I let out a small laugh and take a minute to compose myself before answering him. I stare him dead in the eyes and my voice comes out loud and even.

  “No Liam. You did not. However, anymore comments like that and I won’t hesitate to kick you in the balls. Now let’s keep this strictly professional, shall we?” I give him my best, all pearly white smile, watching for his response. I feel proud for getting one up on him. His eyes narrow and he looks slightly taken back. I knew he had never been told No! Too bad some women can control themselves! I bet he has a harem of girls running around his feet. Liam stands there and just stares at me with his head cocked to the side for what seems like an eternity before he finally huffs and leans in closer to me. I think I imagine the flash of emotion that crosses his eyes because it’s gone in the blink of an eye. I instantly stiffen only for him to take my phone from my hand and enter his number. His phone starts to ring in his jacket pocket.

  “There. If you need anything, give me a call and I’ll do the same” The way he said anything implied he means literally anything. Can’t imagine he’d be happy to do a Ben & Jerry’s run for me. I huff as he shoves my phone back at me, so I take it with a slightly trembling hand. “Business related obviously” he says with a smirk, revealing that tiny dimple to the side of his mouth. Somehow it makes him seem less intimidating, only cute guys have dimples.

  “Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow” I turn towards the door expecting him to leave, but he doesn’t.

  “I want to have you Amelia. And I will, when you’re ready. See you tomorrow” he turns on his heel to leave, but I can’t let him walk out of here thinking he has the upper hand!

  “I don’t want you Liam. See you tomorrow.” I manage my best fake smile. Choosing to ignore my statement he turns and walks out, pulling the door behind him. Anger courses through me at my lack of knowledge for this situation! How do you reply to the things he said? Urgh! As the door closes I launch my phone at it, regretting it instantly as it smashes against the luckily thick glass.

  “Fucking Daddy’s boy!” I yell, wincing as my phone falls to the floor with a smack. The door swings open and Liam is leaning into the room. One hand is braced on the handle while the other holds the frame.

  “What was that?” he accuses, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction he glances at my phone on the floor, before flicking his gaze back to me. His eyes dare me to say something, but his earlier words make me smile. Two can play this game.

  “Nothing” I smile sweetly and flutter my eyelashes at him as my voice comes out as innocent as ever.

  “Where you just going to stomp your foot?” he asks, grinning and shoving his tongue in his cheek.

  “Absolutely NOT!” I hiss, my voice rising as I do. Huffing, he runs his tongue across his teeth before he turns and walks away. Arsehole! I huff back and resist with all my might not to stomp my foot on the floor like a scorned child. What the fuck just happened? I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and play aimlessly with my neck. Am I seriously going into business with a sleaze bag? I want to shout at him, to kick and punch the arrogance right out of him. But that pretty face, I wouldn’t want to ruin that. Gah! Stop it! I’m head strong and I damn sure won’t put up with any kind of sexual harassment from him. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who’s been so forward about his intentions. It’s kind of nice knowing where his head is at. But I’ll be damned if he thinks he can fuck me and that will change the way I run this company. I know that’s how some people work, and hey, I’m not judging. If that’s how you want to play the game then fine, but it’s not how I plan on playing this one. He is sadly mistaken. Pissed off but mistaken. Glad that my phone isn’t smashed to pieces I collect it and head back to my office.

  Chapter Three

  Thursday night, Becca convinced me to head home with her and join her and Jason for a Chinese takeaway. I hadn’t told her about the exact contents of my earlier meeting, deciding that I needed to let it all sink in first, but she could tell from a mile away I needed some mid-week TLC. I knew I shouldn’t because I hadn’t run for a few days, and the calories would sneak up on me like the little bastards they were. I had a headache after my meeting with Liam, and greasy food and good company was just what I needed.

  “Can we please turn this off?” Jason moans from his spot on the floor. Becca busies herself painting my pinkie finger before giving him a death stare.

  “Fine!” he huffs, sagging against the sofa. “I just don’t understand why we have to watch them all again, you’ve seen them a thousand times!”

  “Honey, if you ever tell me not to watch Sex and The City, it will be over between us. In sickness and in health, well this is my sickness” she jokes, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

  “Women!” he huffs, before shoving a spring roll into his mouth. If I didn’t think of Jason like a brother I would undoubtedly be drooling over him. The three of us went to university together and he instantly fell for Becca and her wit. I never felt jealous of them, their love was sickeningly sweet. So much so that my headphones during our dorm years took a battering they had sex so much! They make a great match, Jason is well over six-foot while Becca is a dainty five and a half. They met at the campus gym and after weeks of ogling each other he finally plucked up the courage to ask her out. Much to my disappointment, I enjoyed being dragged to the gym to watch him and his buddies work out. I hated the idea of living with someone else while I was studying but being paired with Becca was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

  “How are the wedding plans coming along?” I ask as I watch her paint my fingers in a blood red color. I may be half Italian, but my skin is not. I’m pale and my black hair sets off my features even more.

  “Fine, we’ve just booked some appointments for this weekend to scout for a venue” she mumbles without looking up from her task.

  “Oh, that’s great! Let me know how it goes”

  “I will” she finishes up and screws the lid back on the polish. Jason looks at Becca and a look I can’t decipher passes between them. My eyebrow crinkles in confusion, before Becca looks back at me smiling.

  “What?”

  Jason averts his gaze back to the Tv show he insisted on not watching a second ago, and Becca drops my hand into my lap.

  “Well, I know you’ve had a crap day so…I have something to ask you” she says gleefully.

  “Okay?”

  Flicking her long blonde hair over her shoulder and crossing her legs like a child she places the pot of polish on the wood floor beside her
and claps her hands together excitedly before speaking.

  “Okay! You know how much we love you?”

  I have no idea where she’s going with this. A pang of unease sets in, but she’s too giddy for it to be anything bad.

  “Yeah?” I question quietly.

  “And you know that you’re considered a part of this family?”

  “Yeah…Where are you going with this?” I flick my eyes between her and Jason who has a smug smile on his face but is still intently watching the Tv.

  “Well, I wanted to get you a gift and you know do it all properly…but I want you to be my Maid of Honor” she squeals, as a bright smile spreads across her rosy cheeks.

  Jason looks at me over his shoulder and smiles, his eyes twinkling in the light of the Tv.

  “What…? Really?” I ask breathlessly and bring my hand up to my chest. I feel my eyes prick with tears and I blink them away.

  “Of course! Who else do you think I’d ask?” Becca shrieks. “So, will you?”

  I swallow and a huge smile spreads across my lips. Excitement kicks in and I can’t contain the shriek that comes out of me.

  “Oh my god! Of course, I will! Thank you so much!” I go to jump on her to hug the crap out of her, but she pins my wrists and hugs me softly.

  “Watch your nails!”

  “Oh! Sorry!” I sit back down on the sofa and dap at the happy tears in my eyes.

  “Women” Jason mutters under his breath.

  “Shut up” Becca swats his arm and he feigns the pain.

  “Men” Becca and I say simultaneously before bursting out in a fit of laughter.

  Chapter Four

  Friday morning, I couldn’t help the huge grin that seemed permanently etched on my lips, even the idea of seeing Liam again couldn’t wipe it away. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of Becca and Jason’s big day. I’ve never been in a wedding before, and the thought of it makes me giddy. I’d left after Jason excused himself to bed, only he wasn’t quick enough as Becca dragged out her monstrosity of a wedding binder and insisted we look through it. Safe to say, I was excited, but I’ll be damned if she’s turning into a bridezilla. I found myself searching online until late last night for wedding ideas I was so excited, and these things take months, right? If I could conquer Becca’s wedding, then I could conquer Liam. I chose my outfit wisely and rocked up to the office ready to take on the world. My cream camisole top is tucked neatly into my black pencil skirt, and my black heels are paired with thigh high stockings held in place by my favorite black lace garter belt. I needed to feel every bit the woman I am, and so my outfit was just the beginning.

  By the time we get all the necessary paperwork and head out of the office to our meeting, I’m energized and ready. I will not let the Hadleigh’s take anything I don’t allow them to. The niggling thought that I need this more than they do races through my head, I have to make this work whether I like it or not. Becca and I reach the Hadleigh offices, the snotty receptionist directs us to the top floor where we are greeted by another. How many receptionists do these people need? “This is swanky” Becca states, glancing around her at the high end, polished wood lining the hallway before heading for the receptionist.

  “Miss Bellucci, Mr. Hadleigh is expecting you” her voice is warm and welcoming and sends, but the way she eyes me sends a shiver through me. Turning on the spot she leads us through the glass doors. This receptionist is nicer than the one downstairs, her long red hair falls in waves around her shoulders. The pant suits she’s wearing is modern and sophisticated, it’s very professional. This I’m impressed with, not so much the other one. I wonder why she looked at me funny? We’re led down a corridor, past a few other offices with their doors closed and into a conference room. The design is a contrast between traditional and modern, woods and glass mixed together to create a very professional looking space. It’s similar to the layout at Bellucci but it feels older with the dark hardwood floors and dark oval table in the center.

  “I’ll let the gentlemen know that you’re here” the red head nods and leaves us. I wonder if she’s one of the many women I know Liam has parading around him? That would explain her looking at me like that, does she think I’m a threat? Ha! I place the folder containing all the merger paperwork on the table and take off my coat. Becca does the same and goes to hang them on the coat rack in the corner. I admire the view out of the floor to ceiling windows, we’re higher up here so I can see more of the city. I purse my lips as slight jealousy flows through me. Sky Scrapers dotted around us pop into the London smog like daggers, while the winter sun battles its thickness, trying in vain to cast a golden glow on the people below. I wonder how many floors they occupy here, the total amount of staff in the business proposal slips my mind. The door swings open and David Hadleigh enters all smiles and cheer.

  “Amelia! Thank you so much for coming to us today” he comes over and shakes my hand in both of his. A slightly plump gentleman, his beefy fingers are soft and wrinkly in my hand, I notice that Liam looks nothing like his father. A rounder face, with a slightly crooked nose and white hair littered with flecks of pepper. Liam must look like his mother. I’d expected to see some similarities between the two, but I can’t seem to find any.

  “It’s my pleasure Mr. Hadleigh. Please call me Mia. This is my assistant and Paralegal Becca”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you” he takes Becca’s hand and gives it a firm shake. I see her flinch slightly at his grip, but it soon disappears.

  “Can I get you ladies anything? I’m eager to start the process, Liam will be joining us shortly” David takes a seat at the head of his table, just like I do when we’re at mine.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to use the restroom before we get started” I want to compose myself before running into the lion’s den.

  “Of course, it’s down the hall and to your right” he tells me. I give Becca a nod before turning and making my way down the hallway, past the offices we crossed earlier and find the bathroom. Once I’m done I check my makeup and give my hair a little fluff. Heading back to the conference room I hear Liam’s voice. I smile, the teenage girl in me shrieks with excitement but I will her away. Maybe I have a strange attraction to awful men? I seem to have a past with them! He’s awful and I know it. A loud cackle of a woman’s laugh breaks my thoughts and sends chills all down my spine. I slow my pace and stop outside the office door the cackle seems to have emanated from.

  The door at the top end of the hallway is slightly ajar, and I can’t help my nosiness when I peer inside. Through the crack in the door, I see a glass desk with a woman perched on top, her back is to me and her legs are spread on either side of the chair with the occupant of said chair clearly doing things he shouldn’t be during office hours. I clasp my hand across my mouth, unable to turn away even as she throws her head back and I get a glimpse of her face. Well her forehead and the tip of her nose as her long blonde locks swish around her backside. I don’t recognize her, but I do recognize him. Liam is sat in the chair directly opposite this woman’s spread legs. My hand around my mouth tightens, muffling the gasp that escapes my lips as I rush my way back to the conference room. Before I step inside I take a minute to process what I just saw. I knew he was a sleaze bag! I instantly feel dirty forever wanting him to kiss me. I wonder how many women he’s had over his knee? I close my eyes at the thought. I can’t believe I have to work with this man, but what other choice do I have? I need this merger to work to get me as far away from my past as possible. It has to work, I have no other options and believe me I’ve considered everything. I clear my throat and hold my head high. Liam’s just given me all the ammo I need against him. David isn’t retiring yet, it’s still possible that I can swing him to work in my favor. Turning the knob, I walk back into the meeting with a new air of confidence, and I’m ready to sign off on these final papers. Seeing Liam in that position has brought the business to the forefront of my mind, I don’t want to get personally involved with a man like that
, well I do, there’s no denying the slight jealousy I feel deep in my gut, but fantasy versus reality, right? Becca is laughing at something David has said, and I suddenly feel awkward around him. Does he know what his Son gets up to? Does he allow it?

  “David was just telling me all about his retirement plans” Becca says, before taking a swig of her water.

  “Oh, that’s great. I’m sorry that this merger came at the wrong time. I was looking forward to working with you” I smile, taking my seat next to Becca, hoping that he will tell me something good.

  “Oh, I know! I’m sure we’ll get a few projects under our belt before I leave. But the time is right, and Liam has all the abilities to make this work. I’m proud of him you know” He says with a genuinely proud smile. It seems he’s unaware of his sons’ extracurricular activities, and if he chooses to turn a blind eye then he’s not letting me know about it. I hope he’s right about the few projects, having my name next to Hadleigh’s would be so beneficial to my career, you have no idea! The riches ability to get away with murder infuriates me but I give him my best fake smile and start to say something when I’m interrupted by the door swinging open. Liam strides in, smoothing down his tie.

  “Sorry I’m late” he says it like he’s out of breath. I wonder why! I turn to face him slightly and a flash of emotion crosses his eyes. I can’t tell what it is. His brow is creased and he’s glaring at me intently. I turn my gaze away. I don’t care what he’s feeling, I need to get on with this. I hate that he still appeals to my inner needs even after seeing him you know... I grab my file and place the relevant papers in front of me as he sits directly opposite before placing his hands on the table in front of him and tangling his fingers together.

  “Amelia, have you met my son?” David starts the conversation.

  “Yes, briefly” I say, giving him my best fake smile, giving Liam a quick glance but only out of politeness to his father. Midnight blue irises stare back at me, burning a hole in my head. If I didn’t already know his game, I would say he looked a little terrifying. If he’s going to do this for the duration of our meeting, I might reach out and poke him in those ocean blues. I won’t do that, but I could. The emotion in his eyes registers now as anger, and I find myself slightly pleased. I bet he wouldn’t be acting this polite if he had found me in the same position I found him and that whore. He coughs so I jerk my gaze back to meet his and I don’t look away this time.