I didn’t know Will had any siblings.
“What’s interesting is seeing my brother fascinated with anything but art.” He gestures to me. “This is Bristol Anderson. She works with me at Summit.”
Then those hazel eyes turn on me. I’m struck. Mesmerized. He’shandsome.No wonder he has a bazillion dollars. People probably sign over their life’s savings when he looks at them. There’s a glint in his eyes that says he knows well his effect on people. It amuses him, though. He gives me a lopsided smile. “Ms. Anderson. A pleasure to meet you.”
“And you, sir.”
“Finn.” There’s laughter in his voice. “And unlike these guys, you can call me Finn anytime.”
The other men laugh, but Mr. Leblanc tenses beside me. It’s just a joke, but he’s possessive. Or protective. It’s only because I’m the diamond ring in a pawn shop. My only value is my body. But it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like in real life, if he were really dating me.
“We’ll see how I feel after the deal goes through, Mr. Hughes.” I keep my tone frosty with playful reproach. It’s a game, that’s all. And Mr. Leblanc should see that.
Finn’s gaze turns speculative. “You want him to accept, then?”
I glance back at Mr. Leblanc’s face, but his expression gives nothing away. “I’m sure he’ll make the right decision for himself and for Summit Equity.”
Finn gives Mr. Leblanc a sideways glance. “You trust him, then?”
“Yes.” I’m surprised to find that I can be honest about this. The medium-well steak and the talk about faraway vacations? Those felt like someone else. But this feels like me. “I trust him.”
“He’s right here,” Mr. Leblanc says, his voice wry.
Finn spears him with a glance. It’s not precisely friendly, but it’s also not negative. Challenging, I would say. He’s giving Mr. Leblanc a challenging glance. “And what about you? Do you trust yourself?”
Mr. Leblanc gives him a hard look. “My results speak for themselves.”
“They were particularly impressive on that ODM software.”
“Hughes Industries has experience with that. I did a paper on your father in college.”
“I know.” The corner of Finn’s mouth turns up. “I read it.”
I feel Mr. Leblanc’s surprise. And that he’s flattered, despite himself. “Did your father read it?”
There’s a slight hesitation in Finn. So slight I almost think I imagined it. “He signed the offer, didn’t he? We want Summit to be part of Hughes Financial Services.”
“Why?”
“To make money,” Finn says.
“You have money.”
“To make jobs.”
“You employ tens of thousands of people.”
“Hundreds of thousands of people,” Finn corrects. “Counting our subsidiaries.”
“Then give me a real reason.” The words are harsh, almost angry.
Greg gasps softly behind us.
“Mr. Leblanc,” I say, putting a hand on his arm.
“It’s okay, Bristol.” Finn isn’t bothered in the slightest. “The man has a right to know. Doesn’t he? The truth is, I want Summit because of you. But you know that, don’t you? And that’s why you’ve hesitated on the deal. You don’t want to be bought and sold like a commodity.”
Mr. Leblanc glances at me, and I know he’s thinking about the debt. “Who would?”