Page 71 of Silk Shadow

"As you know, my company owns many mines in Central America. We mostly operate gold mines, but iron ore accounts for 5% of our portfolio."

Could he have hired the mercs who'd kidnapped Izzy?

Izzy was listening, her arms folded in front of her. She might be in a strappy sundress, her hair wild and free down her back, but her face was all business.

"What do you want with me?"

"I'd like to make you an offer. We've done surveys in Mexico, and we've found a high likelihood of rutile and bauxite in the mountains of Montezuma. We'd like to extend the mine's capabilities into these base metals as well. As you know, rutile is used in the manufacture of..."

"Titanium," she cut in. "And bauxite in aluminum."

"Correct." He smiled at her. "You know your metals, Miss Beaumont."

She certainly did. And she was as cool as a cucumber. Viper felt a surge of pride, then swallowed it down and focused on the threat.

She was staring at the Henderson, frowning. "You want to buy me out?"

"Yes, to put it plainly. We have an excellent record in Central America. We employ workers from the local communities, we provide infrastructure and amenities, we respect the environment. We're not some power-hungry conglomerate that drills holes in the ground and leaves destruction in our wake."

"That's all very impressive, Mr. Henderson. I'm aware of your company's work ethic. It's one of your strongest selling points. But what makes you think I want to sell my share of Omega Enterprises?"

He smiled. "Come on, Miss Beaumont. We both know this isn't your game. Your father ran the company for twenty years, building it from the ground up. He ventured where no other company was willing to go. The risk was high, yet somehow, he made it work. Now others are following in his footsteps. The region has an abundance of raw materials, mostly squandered by corrupt officials and unscrupulous conglomerates. By rights, it should be one of the richest continents in the world, instead it's the poorest."

He had a point there.

Izzy listened to all this, her head tilted to the side.

"You're a businesswoman in your own right. Fashion is your thing. Not minerals. That's why you made Robert Hampton-Barnes CEO, a man who doesn't even have a controlling share of the company. Why don't you hand it over to someone whose interests align with yours?"

"How do you know what my interests are?" she said.

"I know you won't release your share of the company because you're worried about the communities the mine supports. I know you've refused offers from several conglomerates looking to expand into the area. I know the situation in Mexico is volatile and you're concerned that if you sell the mine, it will cause more instability. I know you're worried about your employees losing their jobs."

"How do you know all this?" she breathed.

Viper stiffened beside her. Good question. One he'd like to know too.

"I've been studying you, Miss Beaumont. From afar, of course. Don't worry, it's nothing nefarious. I'm not a stalker. My interest is purely business. I can see you're a good person, but that your interests lie elsewhere."

"So you thought you'd take the company off my hands, is that right? Do me a favor?"

"Exactly." He sat back and smiled at her. A long moment passed, after which he said, "I wanted to have this chat face to face, because after the attempt on your life, I thought you might be anxious to sell your stake."

Viper scowled. "That was your doing?"

His hand tightened on the gun.

Henderson put his hands in the air. "No, absolutely not. I must say, I'm very pleased you're all right. I take it this is your savior?" He nodded at Viper.

Izzy didn't reply.

"Why didn't you pick up the phone and call me? Why now? Here?"

Another excellent question.

"Because this is a frank conversation, Miss Beaumont. I'm being honest with you. I want the best for those communities too. I wanted to reassure you that my company will uphold what your father has created and go even further. It's hard to explain that in a boardroom filled with overzealous negotiators."

He had a point.

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