Page 6 of Taming Mika

The room falls silent. The Carvers exchange wide-eyed glances. My heart sinks. That’s double the property’s worth—an offer they can’t possibly refuse.

“Do you mind if we take a moment to discuss?” Roger finally says.

“Of course.” Alfie stands, his smirk brimming with victory. I rise, too, feeling utterly powerless. Alfie Bonetti has the upper hand, and there’s nothing I can do to stop him.

I stand as well, suddenly feeling like an intruder in the Carvers’ corner. I certainly can’t accuse Alfie of taking advantage of them now, and any thoughts I might have on the matter would likely be unwelcome, especially after hearing a number like that. But then Mr. Carver’s hand falls on mine, his gnarled fingers tightening gently around my palm.

“No, please stay, Mika. For just a moment.”

Alfie raises his eyebrows as I reluctantly settle back into my chair. Then he’s gone, striding out with his bodyguards trailing behind, leaving me alone with the Carvers and Mr. Mead.

“Well?” Roger asks the room at large.

“It’s more than a generous offer,” Mr. Mead replies. “And he has the means to back it up. I’ll review the contract to ensure everything is in order, but you’re not going to get a better deal than this.”

Mr. and Mrs. Carver’s eyes both shift to me, and I swallow hard, nervously licking my lips.

“As far as the money goes, he’s right,” I admit. “But I don’t know what he might have planned for the horses?—”

Mr. Carver frowns, and I immediately regret saying so much.

Backpedaling, I try a different approach. “What I mean is, you both care deeply for the animals—and the people who work for you. I just don’t know enough about Mr. Bonetti to feel confident he’d be as… concerned with their well-being.”

He nods thoughtfully. “Thank you, Mika. Would you give us a moment?”

I nod, rising and quickly stepping out with Mr. Mead. As we enter the drawing room, Alfie’s sharp hazel eyes immediately find mine.

“I had a feeling you might prove useful,” he says playfully, his gaze locking with mine.

If you only knew,I think darkly. If he believes I was in there singing his praises to the Carvers, he’s sorely mistaken. But the wicked curve of his smile tells me he knows exactly how I feel about him, and that realization sends a nervous quiver through my stomach.

“Thank you for your patience,” Mr. Carver says moments later, his rattling voice pulling my attention. He and Millie step into the room, their decision seemingly made in record time.

It didn’t take them long,I note with sinking disappointment.

“Millie and I have discussed it,” Mr. Carver begins, “and we’re prepared to accept your offer, Mr. Bonetti—on one condition.” He turns to me with a reassuring wink, and unexpected tears sting the backs of my eyes.

“Name it,” Alfie says smoothly, giving the older couple his full attention.

“Mika and our employees are to retain their positions for as long as they wish. And you’ll defer to Mika’s advice on how best to care for the animals.”

I’ve never heard of anyone adding such conditions to a sale before and wonder if they could even make it legally binding. But before either lawyer can protest, Alfie speaks.

“Done,” he agrees without hesitation, his tone brimming withconfidence. His smile flashes, all straight white teeth, as he steps closer to the Carvers. “I wouldn’t dream of making an offer without Mika being part of the deal anyway.”

His words are playful, drawing soft chuckles from the Carvers, who seem reassured by his easy demeanor. But I catch the possessive gleam in his gaze as it shifts to me—a silent promise that he intends to make me far more than just his horse trainer. That look, coupled with the whispers I’ve heard around the barn about the hands fearing Alfie, tightens the knots already twisting in my stomach.

Just how dangerous could going into business with this man turn out to be?

4

ALFIE

The chopper’s propellers whir overhead, fading into white noise as the rich green New York countryside passes far beneath me. With the paperwork signed and the ink several days dry, I’m on my way back up to the massive estate I purchased from Millie and Roger Carver earlier this week.

Anticipation surges through my veins when I think about the trainer who came with my newly acquired property. I’ll be sitting down with Mika to go over the strategy she’s used to train the Carvers’ racehorses, and how it pertains to the profit side of the business. I’m more than a little curious how open she’ll be with me about it. Now that I own the horses she’s training, I’m curious to find out just how closely she and my mother’s philosophies align.

Nina, my little sister, is what really made me want to get back into the world of horses, however. She’s always loved them, and I know she would enjoy being around them again. With money coming in faster these days than I can spend or invest it, I had the idea to purchase a racehorse for her. But now there’s another draw for me, one that I’m eager to spend time with again.Mika.

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