How could she not understand I could destroy her and her rich self in the blink of an eye? And if she dared to continue to talk about my mother, I might throw her into the water and let the Tyrrhenian Sea carry her away.
“I suggest you find that confidence you had when you first got here, and use it to walk the fuck away right now.”
She lifted her hand toward me—a plea to give her the chance she seemed to desperately need.
“I don’t want to leave.” Her eyes became wet. “I’m so sorry for the hell you’ve endured because of him. But I want to know you. Please.”
A single tear fell down her cheek.
For a second, I saw my mother’s memory in that tear as it slid down her tan skin.
“You don’t want to know me,” I said gruffly. “Trust me.”
“Maybe.” That word had me going absolutely still. “Maybe you’re dangerous since it took a high-ranking official in the CIA to find you.” Her shoulders lifted before she slowly let them fall. “So, it’s entirely possible I’m making a mistake by being here. But I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t try.”
I quickly invaded her space, leaning in so we were eye to eye. On instinct, she threw her palms against my chest to protect herself.
“There’s a question on your mind. Ask it,” I bit out.
Surely she belonged in the sun. Not in my world.
Her chin wobbled. “No.”
“Ask.” My demand carried more intensity than it deserved, but she needed to hear the truth. To know how dangerous I was to her and the ivory tower she most likely lived in.
“Have you ever hurt anyone? K-killed?”
“Yes,” I hissed without hesitation, and her hands slipped free from my chest. “Time to go.”
“No.” Her perseverance continued to catch me off guard, and she quickly continued, her voice unwavering and confident. “I sold all the shares of our father’s companies. I’m unloading his assets. I’ll give you the inheritance you deserve.” She drew in a shaky breath as if she’d run out of steam. Her next words released on a sigh. “I can help you. Please. You’d have access to anything you could ever want or dream of.”
“My dreams died along with my mother!” My jaw briefly locked tight at my words. At my slip of the truth I worked so hard to bury behind steel walls and a titanium coat of armor.
“It doesn’t have to be that way.” More tears fell. I’d admitted to her I was a killer, and yet, she wasn’t running away. “I want to know you. I thought maybe you’d want to get to know me, too. Maybe we can even run a business or something together.”
Optimistic. Idealistic. Her youth and innocence were fragile.
I’d only crush her dreams.
I bared down on my back teeth, opening my lips just enough to unleash my words. “I’d rather spend a lifetime in prison than touch his money.”
This girl—barely a woman—wasn’t my problem, and I had to remember that.
I couldn’t be her brother or her hero.
“Go.”
“No!”
My hand went back to the wall as I willed myself not to turn around.
How was she standing her ground, and to me? Someone who made grown men weep.
“I won’t go anywhere. You’re my brother.” The tears were gone now; I could tell by her tone. “And I think you need me.”
I wasn’t sure what the hell possessed me to turn, but I did.
She lunged my way and threw her arms around my waist and held her cheek to my chest.
She was hugging me. Fuck.
My arms were locked at my sides because I didn’t know what to do. How to act.
She was going to try and pull me into her world, wasn’t she?
But she’d fail.
And she might even end up dead.
Chapter One
Dublin, Ireland - Present Day
Holly
Eight powerful men sat at the long, sleek silver table in the boardroom, but only one board member was responsible for provoking my silence, captivating me with his dark eyes.
Still on my feet, I brought my palms to the metal in front of me as I struggled to get my voice to work, knowing everyone was waiting for me to begin since my brother had given me the floor.
Get it together, damn it. You’re a McGregor. But the man across from me, Sebastian Renaud, had the power to muddle my thinking and rob my speech. My throat tightened as sweat bloomed between my breasts beneath my black chiffon blouse.
This was only the second board meeting with Sebastian since he’d acquired a seat at the company. I didn’t have to worry about bumping into him at work, but we did keep running into each other outside of the office.
We’d collided on Drury Street last week, my newly purchased lingerie spilling onto the footpath, and I swear he’d gotten a kick out of dangling the sheer nude bra on his finger as I’d shoved the pink tissue and the rest of my purchases back into the bag. I’d never been so flush in my life.
And just this Monday night, I’d been leaving my favorite Italian bistro with my sister-in-law, Anna, as he’d been entering. He didn’t have a date on his arm, but knowing him, he’d have met her there, too much of an arse to pick her up first.
And those stories only covered the last nine days. I had months’ worth of similar run-ins. I was beginning to think I was trapped inside a comedy, and everyone was having a great laugh but me.
Dublin should’ve been big enough for the both of us, yet somehow, we kept entering each other’s personal space. Today, at least, I’d had time to anticipate and prepare.
But apparently all that preparation sailed out the window with him directly across from me.
Sebastian’s lips twitched. The hard look on his face a contradiction to that near smile. It was as if he knew what I was thinking, well, more like who I’d been thinking about.
In a fitted two-piece black suit, black shirt, and no tie, he looked devastatingly handsome—charming, at ease in the boardroom—and just as dangerous as well. Of course, a man known as The Deal Maker had to be ruthless, and I’d do well to remember that.
I’d been the one to seek him out first, to bring him into our lives. I’d gone to Sebastian in May for help to try and prevent the sale of our media group to a shrewd (and now deceased) businessman. But I’d had the good sense to walk out of his hotel before I did anything I’d regret, including making a deal with him.
I certainly never expected Sebastian to wind up in the middle of an investigation shortly after that night, one that involved my brother Adam’s then-fiancée and now wife, kidnapped on their wedding day.
Now in November, we were all still recovering from the events that had happened. Fortunately, my brother and Anna got their happily ever after, but we were also now stuck with Sebastian in our lives.
When I’d stormed his office in Paris this past summer, after discovering he’d bought our stock and scored a seat on our board, he’d claimed he did it to help.
Sure . . . a man like Renaud wouldn’t help anyone unless it benefitted him. He had to have ulterior motives, which meant I sure as hell shouldn’t be sitting here wondering what it’d be like to have his lips pressed to mine. I shouldn’t be imagining the expression he’d make if I were to remove my blouse and let him see I was wearing the bra he’d dangled on his index finger last week.
“Holly, are you ready?” Sean was at the head of the table. It’d once been our father’s seat. Our grandfather’s before that. And now my brother held the position of CEO and chairman of the board of McGregor Enterprises whether he wanted it or not. “Holly?”
“I, um.”
My brother knew me well. He’d taken one look at my face and realized if I ever managed to speak, I’d most likely fumble my way through talking, just like the last time Sebastian sat across from me.
“Our stock prices have taken a turn for the better in the past few weeks,” Sean spoke up, and I nearly collapsed with relief back into my seat. “I believe we owe Holly for our latest stock i
ncrease.”
The Reed deal. Right.
“You’re referring to the fact that word is out we’re in negotiations with Reed Productions?” Cole’s brogue had softened from his time living in New York. My uncle was on the board as well, but he’d had to stay back in Manhattan, so he’d sent my cousin in his place.
“I’m still not quite understanding how a relationship between McGregor and Reed would benefit the company. Or, for that matter, how it benefits Reed,” Leeland Green, one of our eldest members on the board, commented. His silvery-white brows lifted when his eyes moved from Sean to me.
“I do wonder what Reed really wants with the McGregors.” Sebastian’s deep voice had the hairs on my arms standing beneath my sleeves. “Reed may not have the company’s best interest at heart.”
And you do? “Harrison plans on filming a movie here in Dublin and—”
“First name basis already,” Sebastian interrupted.
Arsehole.
Harrison Reed and I had become friends during talks about a possible deal between our companies, and I’d sure as hell trust him over the devil sitting across from me.
“He wants to partner with our media group to ensure the film is as authentic as possible. I think it’s a solid move on our part to get involved with him.” My gaze flicked to my brother and away from Sebastian. “Harrison’s flying in Sunday night. I’d like to finalize the deal next week.”
“Good,” Sean said with a nod, a touch of pride in his blue eyes.
In the last six months, I’d gone from running HR to managing our media group, McGregor Advanced Communications. And despite the stress that came with the transition, I was doing a damn good job.
“You should let me join you in that meeting.” Sebastian’s insane suggestion brought my gaze back to him. “I’ll make sure we get the best possible deal.”
“I think I can handle Harrison Reed.” I matched his low tone with one of my own.
“I’ll make sure Reed doesn’t take advantage of you.” He narrowed his gaze on me. Midnight lashes framed his brown eyes, which were the color of expensive, dark rum. He pinned me with his pensive stare, and I was helpless to look away while the cliché, but oh-so-real, chill of goose bumps erupted across my skin.
I bit down on my back teeth and gripped the chair arms.
Sean coughed into a closed fist, an attempt to draw the board members’ focus to him. “If our stock can benefit from the mere mention of working with Reed Productions, then closing this deal will do wonders for the company.” My brother kept his tone level as his eyes journeyed around the table, attempting to come across as confident as possible. Filling Da’s shoes was no easy feat, especially since our brother Adam had first made the attempt then bowed out. They’d been hesitant about him taking over, and I was sure Sean felt like he had something to prove, even if he’d never admit it to anyone.
“I’m still not sure if getting in the movie business is really what we should be doing.” Leeland Green should’ve retired eons ago. I wouldn’t hold my breath for it to happen. Too damn stubborn to go.
Our media division was involved in everything from magazines to talk shows. Movies were a natural progression. Leeland wasn’t one for big ideas, though.
“We’ll see what Reed has to say. A deal with Reed will require majority vote, same as always,” Sean answered. “Moving on.” He looked to Cole after he’d gone through a few more items on the agenda, topics I was supposed to present and discuss. “What’s new in our Manhattan office?”
My mobile vibrated in front of me, and I snatched it when Cole began to talk.
Renaud: Hi.
My attention whipped to Sebastian, but he was casually observing his mobile as if he hadn’t just texted me.
Me: What do you want?
Renaud: I was curious if you had my number saved.
His thumb went beneath his chin, his forefingers at his temple as he sat. His blackish-brown hair was shorter on the sides and longer at the top. Messy strands, like a work of art, were pushed to the side, no gel in sight to keep his hair in such a manner. The man was sinfully good looking.
Me: What do you want?
Renaud: To tell you happy birthday.
Was there a company memo sent out? How’d he know? Then again, this was Sebastian I-Know-Everything Renaud.
Renaud: You shouldn’t be working today.
Me: The world doesn’t stop spinning because of me.
I don’t know why I even bothered to respond, to participate in whatever game he was trying to play.
Renaud: It should.
I inhaled at his words, doing my best not to let them visibly affect me.
Me: Well, thanks for the message, but it was unnecessary. We’re not friends. We’re . . . business acquaintances. And barely even that.
I was done with this conversation. I flipped my mobile upside down on the table to let him know.
When I looked up, he was in the process of stowing his iPhone inside his jacket pocket. I stole a look at his face, the dark scruff covering his cheeks and jawline. Not a full beard. He’d most likely gone a week without shaving. It would make most men look lazy or unkempt, but on Sebastian it was just plain sexy.
“Any other topics on the agenda?” Sean asked, which meant Cole must’ve already finished with his report. And shit, I had no clue what Cole had even said.
“I have one item I’d like to discuss.” Sebastian set his attention on Sean, and he grew quiet for a moment before he peered my way. “Why are we not accepting the offer from Paulson Incorporated to sell them the land in Limerick?” He rested his elbows on the table, bringing his fingertips together.
“That land has belonged to the McGregors for over a hundred and fifty years,” I rushed out. “We promised the people of Limerick we’d keep it as a preservation for wildlife. A natural habitat.”
“We’re losing tens of millions of euros by withholding from the sale,” Leeland added, which was the last thing I needed. I wasn’t surprised he was on Sebastian’s side, though. He cared more about money than an oath, and he’d pushed for us to sell in the past to previous buyers.
“Leeland, I’m well aware we’re losing millions. As I’m aware Paulson Incorporated is hoping to expand their reach into Ireland and build new commercial and residential developments, which would give an economic boost to the area.”
There had better be a but coming and soon.
“Selling the land would definitely be in our best interest.” Before I lost my mind, Sean added, “But we made a promise. We can’t go back on that promise. I’m sorry.”
“Shouldn’t we at least consider a vote?” Sebastian asked.
“We voted on this matter twice before you joined the board, Mr. Renaud, when two other companies made a similar offer. The majority ruled in favor of keeping the land,” I informed him.
“Well, like you said, that was before I joined, Ms. McGregor.” The powerful way he held himself, the straight brows that gave nothing away, and the depth of his eyes as they looked straight through me . . . I was almost compelled to agree to whatever the hell he wanted.
“I think we should vote again,” Leeland added. “How about we meet in three weeks?”
Shit. That was too bloody soon.
“Fine.” Sean shot me an apologetic look. “I can’t stop the vote from happening, but I urge you all to keep in mind the McGregors gave their word about preserving that land thirty years ago. Then again just last year.”
“And there are only three McGregors at this table,” Sebastian stated as if we needed the reminder.
What I needed was to learn to throw a punch so I could box the head off this guy.
“Please remember that there are six other board members,” he added.
Before I could summon a comeback, Sean declared the meeting adjourned and pivoted in his seat to face his executive admin, Bella. “Since it’s already past four, you can hold off on sending the meeting minutes until Monday.”
I knew Bella had bee
n conspiring with my brothers to throw me a surprise birthday party tonight, so there was that, too. But now that the future of our property in Limerick was uncertain, I wasn’t in much of a mood to celebrate.
I gathered my things and stood as the room began to empty.
“Renaud, a minute?” Sean requested.
“I’m late for an engagement. Another time, perhaps?” He casually tossed out the words, not bothering to look our way before he left.
Cole stepped alongside Sean, his eyes moving from the doorway to my brother. “I wasn’t at the last meeting, but damn, you were bang on about Sebastian.” He patted Sean on the shoulder then left.
Sean braced his temples with his middle finger and thumb. “We need to get rid of Renaud somehow.”
“What’s up with his newfound friendship with Leeland?”
“I don’t know.” Sean lowered his arm and braced the table. “Next thing you know, he’ll have the board voting us off.”
“Maybe that’s his true intention.” I wouldn’t put anything past him.
“We won’t let this Limerick vote go arseways,” Sean promised. “You have my word.”
“Da should’ve filed for government protection of the land.” Which was exactly what I intended to do, but three weeks wouldn’t be enough time to complete the process. “Sorry I choked up today,” I added. Like last time.
“He makes us all uneasy.” Sean gently squeezed my shoulder. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this right now. It’s your birthday.”
“It’s twenty-six. Not the big thirty. And whatever you have planned tonight—”
“Happens at eight. So be on the lookout for a text from me at seven thirty with the address.”
“Just promise me . . . no strippers jumping out of a cake.”
“That may have been Ethan’s idea, but no worries, I shot it down.”
Ethan was the wild child.
Sean, the charmer.
Adam, the fighter.
And me? I’d been dubbed the responsible one. Sometimes I wished I could trade my role in for a new one.
“See you tonight.” Sean kissed me on the cheek before leaving.
The Real Deal: A Dublin Nights Novel Page 2