Chapter 10
Declan
LovechildeHoldingsoccupiedthe top floor of a glass-and-steel asymmetrical tower owned by the family company. Surrounded by a wall of windows, the large office, where we met for our board meetings, offered dizzying panoramic views of the city and beyond.
Ethan strolled in late as always.
I planned to insist he stop flirting with Theadora.
Am I chasing her?
We normally had different tastes in women. While I went for curvy women, he had a thing for long-legged, lean models who spent most of their time staring into mirrors. That’s why his sudden interest in our new maid surprised me. But then she was only the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.
That posed a dilemma since a long-term relationship wasn’t on my to-do list. I wasn’t even interested in marriage. Never had been.
Theadora didn’t strike me as the casual sort of girl. If anything, she struck me as fragile, reminding me of a delicate bud that required careful handling in order to bloom. Since seeing her in that corset, despite my guilt for ogling her in that exploited state, I’d been on fucking fire.
My father lounged back and chatted comfortably with his former partner, Will, and despite Will’s obvious relationship with my mother, their friendship continued. My father didn’t carry grudges. For a multibillionaire, he was quite chilled, which is why I related to him more than I did my formidable mother.
“Ethan.” My mother pointed to a chair. “You’re late.”
“Sorry, the traffic was woeful.”
She rolled her eyes.
As her sons, we were both a disappointment.
She hated me joining the SAS. Even a Medal of Valour couldn’t raise a smile or earn me a hug. Ethan seemed to spend most of his time drifting, and although he always voted on her side, I sensed he hadn’t quite decided what he believed in, other than pretty women in bikinis.
“Okay, let’s start,” she said. “Will and I have been looking into carving up the acreage adjoining Merivale Hall. Our sights are on a luxury resort for international travellers seeking a five-star experience by the coast. This project would deliver in our conservative estimation around two billion pounds a year.”
“What about the farmland? Our farmers have been here longer than we have. Who’s going to feed the region?” I asked.
“They’ll be paid out of their leases a generous amount. Some can stay on and apply for one of the many jobs on offer.”
“We’re talking about a lot of land. Does a resort need so much?” I asked.
“There’ll be stables for horse riding, tennis courts, and a golf course. Space for people to enjoy.”
“As you know, I own an acre, one mile north of the hall next to Chatting Wood. I’ve got my own plans to develop.”
“And that is?” she asked.
“A boot camp.” I looked around me, and eyebrows flung up everywhere, while my mother remained stony-faced.
I continued, “Also an organic farm.”
Ethan smirked. “For bored executives seeking a thrilling weekend of being bossed around?”
I smiled weakly. “Troubled youth.”
My mother looked like we were about to be attacked by enemy forces. “No. Absolutely not. We’re not inviting anyone like that into the region. Can you imagine? There’ll be all kinds of crime.”
“There’ll be security,” I said. “And the teenagers will have curfew imposed.”
“Are we talking about kids that have committed crimes?” Will asked.
I nodded. “Petty crime. Drugs, break-ins, car infringements, that kind of thing.”