Page 89 of The Acquisition

She groaned. "That stupid asshole. He's my friend, and I love him, but that doesn't mean I don't see his faults. How do you plan on handling this?"

"I've got a property a few blocks away from the club we're going to tonight. I plan on dangling it like a carrot to change his allegiance."

She purses her lips. "I can help you convince him."

* * *

The line for the club snaked around the block, but we didn't move to the end. Sabrina grabbed my hand and walked us straight to the bouncer.

"Sabrina Lake and guest," she told the giant guarding the door.

He unhooked the velvet rope, and just like that we were granted entrance to one of the most exclusive clubs in New York City.

"How?" I asked. "This isn't one of Malcolm's clubs. How do you just get in?"

The corners of her mouth turned up in a wicked smirk. "I might have dated the owner of this club. We ended on good terms."

I bumped her with my shoulder. "I thought you were here to see Malcolm."

"An excuse. A girl's got to clean out the pipes every once in a while."

We headed to the dance floor, the music pulsing through our bodies as we moved to the beat. Every few minutes Sabrina glanced toward the window on the second level overlooking the club.

Malcolm found us first. I glowered when I saw who followed along beside him. Waverly.

She clung to his arm and watched Sabrina with a malevolence that I thought she only turned my way.

Sabrina noticed but seemed to shrug it off. Things had become more strained between them since Colt cut back the money he gave to Waverly. I'd been a bad friend, not visiting Sabrina because I didn't want to run into my two least favorite people. And here they were standing right in front of me.

"Hey, Mal," Sabrina greeted.

She turned her attention to her sister. "I didn't know you were planning on coming here."

Waverly shrugged. "Mal asked me to come hang out, and Seattle is boring."

Malcolm shrugged her off where she clung to his arm. "Stop, Wave. Don't use me to fight with your sister."

Waverly pouted. "Can you get me a drink?"

Malcolm pointed toward the bar. "Sashay your spoiled ass over there and get one for yourself."

She huffed and stomped away. Malcolm shook his head and focused on us. He embraced Sabrina, and I had to admit, there was genuine affection between them.

They stepped away from each other after a moment, and he looked at me. "I can understand why Waverly and Sabrina are here, but I have to admit I'm surprised to see you, Jana. Are you wanting to finally have that conversation we've been putting off?"

I snorted. "Not quite. I came to ask you why you're helping my father take over my company."

His mouth dropped open then snapped shut. "Straight to the point. I like it. Are you here to threaten me?"

"Quite the opposite. You're a businessman."

He nodded, the carrot already enticing him to my side.

"What would you say to a property. A large, converted warehouse a couple blocks from here. I could be convinced to lease it to you, dirt cheap."

"And the cost for this lease, let me guess, all the stocks I've managed to purchase for your father?"

I smiled the only genuine smile I probably would smile around him. "You're a smart man. How does a lifetime lease sound?"

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