by Holly Rayner
“I love them. Have you ever read any of Hillary Dowler’s books? She writes some really excellent murder mysteries for teenagers. I bet you’d like them.”
“I’m not a teenager yet.”
“Really? I would have sworn you were fourteen. How old are you?”
“I’m twelve, but I’ll be thirteen soon.”
“Thirteen? That’s amazing.”
I held out my hand.
“I’m Tanya Stanton.”
She shook my hand.
“I’m Rey Jimenez. Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Rey.”
I smiled, a broad, genuine smile. Rey was a precocious girl. I could enjoy spending time with her, I realized.
“I hope my daughter isn’t bothering you, Miss Stanton.”
I looked up and locked eyes with those amazing green orbs I hadn’t believed could be real, and yet here they were, staring down at me. I scrambled to my feet and held my hand out to Raul Jimenez.
“Not at all, señor Jimenez. We were discussing mystery writers. That is one of my favorite pastimes.”
Raul grinned and looked over at his daughter.
“I see. Did you learn of a new author I will be forced to find and buy all their books for you?”
“I did! What was the author’s name again?”
“Hillary Dowler. She writes for teen readers.”
“Dowler, you say. I will look into her books for you, Rey. Now, Miss Stanton, if you’ll come with me to my office, we can discuss some business.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Rey. If you have any recommendations for my stay I would certainly appreciate it.”
“Do you like museums?”
“I love them! I’m dying to go to the Prado while I’m here.”
“That’s my favorite. Papi, can we take her? Please?”
Rey turned pleading eyes to her father, and I saw a dramatic change in his expression. As I watched, he changed from the distant, all-business CEO of a multi-national corporation to a father. It was sweet and amazing to watch. The CEO faded out, leaving only a man obviously set on giving his daughter anything she desired.
Raul glanced between Rey and me a couple of times as if measuring me against his standard for who might spend time with his daughter. Apparently I passed muster because he nodded.
“I will have Marco make the arrangements. We’ll go the day after tomorrow since you have lessons tomorrow that we can’t put off again.”
“Yeah!”
Rey leapt up from her place on the sofa. She hugged her father and then clasped my hand in her own.
“You’re going to love the Prado. It’s the most beautiful place in the world.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
Raul cleared his throat. “We should get to business if we’re going to spend leisure time later.”
“Certainly. Lead on, señor.”
Raul led us into his office, a sparsely decorated showplace for an amazing collection of modern art. I ogled for a few moments, letting the weight of his collection sink into my brain. I’d only ever seen Warhols in museums, let alone O’Keefe and Pollock. I walked slowly from one piece to the next, staring at each work of art for several moments before moving on.
“You enjoy modern art, Miss Stanton?”
“I love many kinds of art, but this is such an impressive collection. I’m feeling a touch overwhelmed.”
Raul stood back and admired me admiring his collection. I caught him giving me the once-over and hoped the Chanel suit I’d picked up at a consignment store last year didn’t look too worn in the bright light of his office.
“It’s a pleasure to see someone enjoy my collection so much,” he said. “I don’t remember the last time that happened.”
“Then you must not have art lovers come visit often. No one who loves art could fail to be awed by this beauty.”
Raul turned the full force of his smile on me then, and I was floored. I staggered back a step before catching myself and standing up straight. It was easy to see how someone could be lost to his charm when he chose to use it.
“I know you’ve had a very long trip to come meet with me, Miss Stanton. Would you like to have a seat so we can talk New York real estate? Can I have my assistant bring you anything?”
“I would love some coffee, thank you. I need to jump-start my brain after that flight.”
Raul stalked to his desk. “Stalk” was the only way to describe how the man moved. Like a panther in the jungle, he moved with sinewy strength that said, “I’m dangerous,” without being too overt about it. He leaned down and spoke into the intercom on his phone.
“Gabriela, can we have a coffee tray sent to my office, please? And hold my calls until I’ve finished meeting with Miss Stanton.”
“My pleasure, señor. Please allow me a few minutes to brew fresh coffee.”
Raul clicked off the intercom and turned back to me. I smiled.
“She’s wonderful, by the way. I hope you pay her extremely well.”
“I do not think that it is your concern, Miss Stanton.”
I winced internally. “I didn’t mean to—I just meant she’s taken such good care of me since we spoke when I was in New York. She deserves to be well cared for as an employee.”
“And do you feel the same for Marco?”
“I do.”
“He mentioned you asked about me. Asked if I were a ‘good man,’ I believe.”
“I did. Have I crossed some line I was unaware of?”
Anxiety clenched a hand around my throat, making it difficult for me to swallow. I hoped I hadn’t blown my chance to get what Arlen was paying me to get.
Raul leaned against his desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He crossed his arms over his chest and my heart rate ratcheted up a few more notches.
Chapter 7
Raul
She was too pretty, I thought as color rose from under the collar of her vintage Chanel suit.
I wanted to do something that would shake that perfect facade she was giving me. Something like lean into her and kiss her perfect red lips. I knew if I did, her liquid blue eyes would widen, her breath would speed up, and I’d be afforded the opportunity to muss that pretty blond pixie cap of hair she wore.
I shook myself mentally. I shouldn’t be thinking these things about the woman in my office. For all appearances, she was a wealthy woman from New York who wanted nothing more from me than the money I would offer for the land she wanted to sell me. I wanted that land to complete the lot for the apartment project I’d had in the works for five years now. I needed to stop fantasizing about the woman and get down to business.
Gabriela knocked discreetly before pushing my office door open to bring in a rolling cart containing a coffee service. The rich scent of freshly roasted and brewed beans filled the room and helped me focus more clearly on the task at hand.
“I hope you like dark roasted coffee,” I said, smiling at Tanya.
“I love it. Thank you.”
Gabriela poured the coffee, fixing mine with a dollop of cream and a single cube of sugar before turning to ask Tanya how she took hers.
Tanya’s smile lit up her whole face. If nothing else, she was a genuine woman who felt honest gratitude when others offered her service. After she had placed her cup on a side table, she took a seat on the edge of one of the wing chairs I kept in the sitting area. She smoothed the skirt of her suit over her legs as she sat, showing me someone had taught her how to wear expensive clothing in social situations.
I’d been unable to discover much about Tanya Stanton when I’d researched her in preparation for this meeting. She was an incredibly private woman who had inherited her money from her father when he passed the year before. The elder Stanton had clung to his real estate holdings with a desperation borne of old age.
I could understand how he felt. Real estate was something you could look at, touch, and count on to retain or increase its value. It was much more stable t
han the more ephemeral wealth that came from the stock market. Thankfully for me and my project, his daughter didn’t share his desire to hold onto the real estate she felt she wasn’t utilizing to its full potential.
“So, Miss Stanton, shall we discuss the Manhattan lot that I’m interested in purchasing?”
“Of course, but please do feel free to call me Tanya.”
“And you may call me Raul.”
“So tell me, Raul, what were you considering offering?”
“Well, I’d considered eight million to be a fair price.”
“And so it was, before I received a bid of ten million from your competitor.”
I nodded. Tanya was no doubt referring to Arlen Cooper. He was determined to not only buy this land out from under me, but also to get the contract for the entire project before I could close the deal.
“In that case, I would consider twelve million for my next offer.”
Tanya shrugged, an oddly awkward movement for such a polished woman. It was almost as though she had put on someone else’s body for a moment.
“I suppose that would sound fair for you,” she said, sipping her coffee and sighing with pleasure. “But for me, I would need at least fourteen million in order to live without being haunted by my father.”
A short bark of a laugh escaped my lips, startling us both.
“That piece of land isn’t worth fourteen million,” I said with authority.
“It is if you want it more than Mr. Cooper does.”
My jaw dropped and I stood, mouth open like a carp from my pond when Rey fed them bread in the evenings. She’d nailed exactly the issue within moments of our negotiations. I wanted that land. I wasn’t really negotiating with Tanya, but with my rival, Arlen Cooper.
Tanya, who had been sipping her coffee, put her cup on the coaster Gabriela had laid on the table for her.
“Raul, I will be honest with you and say I would much rather sell this land to you than to Mr. Cooper. He is not, as you have demonstrated to me today that you are, a good man. He treats his employees poorly and believes he can bully me into selling to him at his price rather than mine. However, I am not going to let my soft heart and desire to see the land go to a better man cause me to make a bad business decision.”
“And well you shouldn’t.”
She smiled at me, and I was struck yet again by the translucent porcelain quality of her skin and the desire to kiss her. I braced myself and forced my thoughts back to business.
“I will be here for a week. Perhaps we should take our time to discuss the deal. I want fourteen million. You don’t want to pay that. We will need to find a middle ground or this will not be worked out.”
“You are far more astute a businesswoman than I thought you were, Tanya. I am pleasantly surprised.”
“I tend to surprise people no matter what we’re working on. They see the blond hair and blue eyes and assume I’m a debutant with daddy’s Black Card. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Well, I must apologize for seeing you exactly that way. Color me pleasantly surprised to find the reality to be far different than my expectations.”
I finished my coffee and set the cup on the service tray. I liked this woman and wanted to know more about her. As we’d talked, she’d continued to survey my office, her eyes lingering on my favorite pieces of art. We had that much in common, and she’d already demonstrated that she could be kind to Rey. Perhaps I should indulge myself a little and ask if Tanya would like to spend some social time together while she visited my home city.
“Señor Jimenez, your two thirty has arrived,” Gabriela’s voice came over the intercom.
I grimaced and shot Tanya an apologetic smile.
“Gabriela shoehorned you into my schedule,” I explained.
Tanya rose from her chair and waved a dismissive hand toward me.
“No, of course, I understand. Thank you for taking time to meet with me. Our representatives can surely handle this from here.”
I heard the disappointment in her voice, but only because I was listening for it. She was good. I wanted to invite her to dine with me tonight. It was an irrational impulse, but one I was going to go with anyway.
“Would you care to join me for dinner tonight?” I asked.
The way her face lit up told me I’d made the right decision to offer the invitation. If for no other reason than to see that gorgeous smile lifting her lips.
“I’d love to.”
“Excellent. I’ll send Marco with the car at nine. Unless that’s too late?”
“Nine will be wonderful.”
Tanya extended her hand and I took it, raising it to my lips to kiss the back of it. I swear I felt her tremble under my lips.
“Then I look forward to dinner tonight.”
“How fancy should I dress?”
“As fancy as you like. You will be the envy of every woman in the restaurant even if you wear a burlap sack.”
“I don’t know about that, but I appreciate the compliment.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to this evening.”
She gave me a tiny, awkward dip that might have been a nod to a curtsey, before walking out the door that Gabriela held open to admit my two-thirty appointment.
Chapter 8
Tanya
Rey was waiting for me as I exited her father’s office.
“Are you going to come back again before we go to the museum?” Rey asked.
“I don’t think so. But I am very much looking forward to visiting the Prado with you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
She grinned.
“Do you want to read the books I mentioned in English or Spanish?” I asked.
Rey considered for a moment before answering.
“I should probably get them in English so I can practice. Papi says I should practice my English more.”
“Which language would make the books more enjoyable for you?” I asked.
“Spanish,” Rey answered without thought.
“Then I’ll stop and pick up the first book in the series on my way back to the hotel so you can read it right away. I’ll get the Spanish version.”
“Really?” The little girl lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Absolutely. If I don't see you before the museum trip, I’ll have someone bring the book to you.”
Rey was on her feet and had wrapped her arms around my neck before I could blink. My arms came up to return her embrace without hesitation. She clung to me in a way that made tears burn in my eyes.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” I gently released the girl and stood up to leave.
I made my way down to the lobby, where Marco waited to take me back to the hotel. When we were in the car, I leaned forward and tapped on the partition between the front and back seat of the limo. Marco pressed a button on the armrest and the partition rolled down.
“Yes, miss?”
“Can you tell me a little about Mr. Jimenez’s daughter?”
A guarded look fell over Marco’s features. He glanced at me in the rearview mirror and a chill ran down my spine. This man would die for the child and wanted me to know he’d be willing to kill for her, too.
“What would you like to know?”
“Is she alone a lot? Doesn’t she have a gaggle of girlfriends her age?”
“She has friends, yes, but it’s true that she is often alone. Her father is very protective of her and the family’s privacy.”
“I see.”
I debated asking Marco to take me to the bookstore, but settled for asking if the hotel concierge would be willing to pick up the book I’d promised to Rey.
I leaned back in my seat again and watched the city go by. A few moments passed before Marco spoke again.
“Why did you ask about Rey?”
“She seemed lonely. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a child sitting in an o
ffice trying to solve a mystery who didn’t wish to be with friends instead.”
“You are quite observant,” Marco said, almost under his breath.
“Yes, well, that’s how I—well, that’s a trait my father encouraged. He said it would often be the difference between winning and losing in a deal.”
My heart thundered in my chest. I’d nearly blown it right there. I needed to stop worrying about the billionaire’s child and focus on my job or I was going to blow the whole deal. My mother couldn’t afford that. I certainly couldn’t afford to pay back the money I’d spent from Arlen’s account.
“Your father sounds like he was a smart man.”
“He was.”
“You miss him?”
“Every single day.”
This wasn’t a lie. My father had died when I was a teenager. Killed in the line of duty. There wasn’t a single day that went by when I didn’t wish he were still here.
“It is difficult to lose a parent. Especially if one is young as Rey was when her mother died. It is kind of you to talk with her and give her things that will bring her joy. She needs more of that in her life.”
“I’m sure her father showers her with gifts.”
“He does, but what she truly wants from him is time, something he hoards like a dragon hoards treasure.”
Marco pulled into the drive in front of the hotel.
“I will return for you at nine to take you to meet with señor Jimenez for dinner. Do you require anything before I leave?”
“No, thank you, Marco. I appreciate your candor and your help.”
“De nada, señorita.”
Marco held out his hand, and I took it to get out of the car. He smiled at me, for the first time since we’d met, and I knew I’d broken an important barrier. He trusted me. That would, I was sure, go a long way to help Raul begin to trust me as well.
I stopped at the desk on my way in and requested a copy of the book I’d promised to Rey. The concierge was only too happy to purchase a copy for me, gift wrap it, and have it sent up to my room. He said I’d have it within the hour. I thanked the man, tipped him lavishly, and rode the elevator up to my room, where I stripped off my Chanel suit before standing in front of my closet where the maid had hung my clothes.