Page 9 of Ruthless Wars

With our pose in place, we both take an apprehensive breath, finally pressing lips briefly until the tap of his finger causes an audible click from the phone. Instantly, we break apart.

Awkwardly, we smile, avoiding each other’s eyes as I slide into my seat, quickly clearing the space so he can shut the door. Roddie takes the driver’s seat and starts the car but doesn’t take off.

Weaving his fingers through mine, he squeezes. “Thank you, Margot.”

“Roddie ...” I lay my free hand on top of our intertwined ones as I meet his eyes. “You are worth this and so much more. You’re giving me an amazing opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” he asks, lifting a questioning brow.

“You bet your ass, opportunity. It’s not often that I get to take on centuries of aristocracy and kick it right in the dusty old balls,” I say, and Roddie bursts out in a full belly laugh. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Well, then let me circle back to our conversation on length.”

I yank my hands from his. “Eww, no.”

Again, he laughs.

I love seeing him relax. In all the years I’ve known him, Roddie has carried the heavy weight of family responsibilities on his shoulders. This should at least lighten his burden.

“Not about that length,” he says, still smiling. “About the length of our time together. I promise, six months max.”

I shrug. “If it goes longer, it does. I’m not worried about it. I am, however, concerned about the little consummation clause.”

Devilish in his grin, he reassures me. “I’m not. The language is clear, yet superbly and conveniently unclear. For once, their uptight conservative nature worked to my benefit, keeping the verbiage vague precisely when I needed it to be.”

With Roddie snapping his seat belt in place, I follow suit, eager to hear more as he shifts the car into gear. The confident businessman in him takes over as he drives us away from the jet.

“Margot, to satisfy the terms of the contract, the consummation is considered a joining of the Rodriguez family and the Long family. Trust me, a Rodriguez and a Long will consummate this deal.” His knowing smile is infectious, and mine widens in response.

“No legal issues?”

“None. I’ve had half a dozen different attorneys in both Austria and Spain review the document. My interpretation of the language is legally valid and binding. What about your father? And sister?”

“They won’t be joining us. But the headlines can easily excuse them away. They’re in the whirl of a major takeover.”

Roddie lets out a sigh, pouring his relief into a halfhearted smile. “Everything’s covered.”

“Well then, I guess I can go ahead and send this pic out to the masses.”

“What will you say?”

Staring at the image thoughtfully, I consider a few options before settling on the perfect statement, feverishly filling in the text and hitting send.

i said yes!! #gettingmarried #truelove

Chapter Five

Margot

Present day

This is the longest I’ve been away from Dallas, and I’m ready to soak in every second of bright sunshine and big blue skies this city is famous for. Cold castles might be pretty to look at, but they’re a bitch to sleep in. And nothing warms me up faster than being home.

What should have been a six-month stay in Europe has lasted nearly a year, and I’ve managed to get back just as my family needs me most.

I survey the penthouse office. Dad’s office. It’ll be Jaclyn’s soon with Dad retiring, but since she’s busy getting whisked away and engaged to the love of her life, for the time being, it’s all mine.

The charm and comfort of Dad's presence is all around. During my long absence, nothing has changed. As I trace a finger along his desk plaque, every letter of everett long fills me with the power and strength of one tough Texan who built a multibillion-dollar empire from scratch, one kick ass deal at a time. And for the next week or so, I finally get my own crack at this glorious money piñata. And why not? After all, I helped build it.

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