Page 125 of Vicious Little Games

“So, I guess we’re all caught up. Cole suggested that we both write up the events of each day so I’m sure he’ll print those out for you.”

“Good. Cole will make a hell of a businessman,” Daddy says, pretty much wiping out the small remaining hope I had of proving that he can trust his legacy to me.

“Yes, he will,” I honestly agree as I stand up to leave.

“But he’ll never be as ruthless as you, sweetheart.”

I freeze and look up at my father’s face. “So, I’m not out of the running?”

“No. But if Eli gives Cole the win for running things while I was gone, you’ll need to catch up and fast.”

“How should I do that?” I ask him.

“You have a secret weapon that Cole doesn’t,” Daddy says. “Being a beautiful woman in this world isn’t a hinderance. It’s an ace up the sleeve if you’re willing to use it to your advantage.”

“How should I use it?”

“Use it in two ways in the next twenty-four hours, and I’ll make you my heir. You’ll start helping me run things immediately.”

“Okay. In what ways do you want me to use it?” I ask him curiously. God knows I’m ready to do them if it means finally proving myself to my father.

“Bring a Russian to the penthouse.”

“A Russian? Any Russian?”

“No, bring me one from Yuri’s establishment who thinks he’s going to spend a night with you.”

“And when he gets here, you’re going to torture him for information?”

“Yes. Unless he agrees to cooperate willingly.”

“Okay,” I say thinking that sounds easy enough. “What else do you want me to do?”

“This one may be a little harder to accomplish and if you mention it to Cole, I’ll deny it,” Daddy says.

“Trust me, I know how to keep secrets from Cole,” I assure him.

“Good. Convince him to concede the competition to you by tomorrow night.”

Certain I misheard him, I say, “What? You want me to…seduce Cole?”

Wincing, my father says, “Flirt, not seduce. That’s a line you don’t ever cross for anyone or anything. Understood?”

I nod my head in agreement of what he’s telling me—using my curves to tempt a man to do what I want, but never give him sex to achieve my goal.

The worst part is, I think I can convince Cole, and it won’t even require any flirting because he’s in love with me.

Cole

Andrew, my dad, is thankfully waiting for me at the lobby when I get back down.

I’m still blown away that it’s really him.

His eyes scan me as if searching for pieces of himself.

“Hey,” I say in greeting.

“Hey.”

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