Page 67 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

“Likewise.”

His tone is odd, and I try my best to ignore it.

“Please take a seat.” Katherine gestures toward the table, and she waits for everybody to sit down before doing so herself.

I’m on her right, my eyes on the documents before me. My job is to intervene when she starts talking about the terms that need to be negotiated. I let her begin the conversation and listen as she discusses the products Pinnacle Group is creating and the need for the technology from Darian’s company.

As she dives into the terms of the contract, I wait for her to bring up the profit distribution. When she looks at me, I nod. “If you would all refer to the files in front of you, you’ll see that Pinnacle Group would like to negotiate the profit breakdown. Our first offer was for a twenty percent cut from the sales of the product, and that would be after you sell us the technology, not just the rights to use it.”

One of Darian’s lawyers speaks up. “We are not satisfied with twenty percent. As you saw in the document we sent you last week, Acme Intech wants forty percent.”

I smile sharply at him. “It seems to me that Acme Intech is under the assumption that they’re also producing this device. If you are seeking forty percent of the sales, should I assume that you will be giving us your technology for forty percent less?”

“Our technology is state of the art—”

“And you don’t have the formula for the device we are building,” I cut him off smoothly. “We are willing to increase your profit share to twenty-five percent but not above that. However, we will take it to forty percent if you sell us the complete rights to your technology.”

“Preposterous!” The lawyer bristles. “We already told you. The intellectual property is not for sale. You can buy the right to use the technology but not the technology itself.”

“Then we will give you twenty-five percent of the profit and nothing further.” I give him a bored look.

The man opens his mouth, but Darian chooses this moment to speak. “Done.”

He looks almost amused, and despite how hardened my heart is, I feel a hint of pain. That look is so familiar.

I want to claw his eyes out. I don’t want him to look at me like that.

Katherine jerks at his words, but her expression does not betray her feelings. “Thank you for understanding our position. Another term that we wish to discuss is the marketing aspect. Pinnacle Group has always used Victor Marketing Solutions to meet our marketing needs—”

Darian’s lawyer does not even let her finish the sentence before jumping in, his metaphorical claws extended. “What is this, Miss Lockhart? It’s clearly stated in the contract that all marketing of your device will be done through the company we have been using for years—”

“If you wish to advertise your technology,” I slide in with a pleasant smile, “feel free to use your own marketing company. However, selling us a small component for our product, thus acting as a supplier, does not put you in a position to dictate how we sell this product or how we market this product. Your demand is ridiculous. You’re trying to force your way into how Pinnacle Group does business. I’ve never heard of a supplier acting so entitled.”

If they want to speak rudely, I can do the same. Katherine gives me an alarmed look, but I squeeze her leg under the table. She needs to trust me. These are wolf shifters. They’re here for a fight. And that’s what they’re going to get.

“Collaborating with us, Miss Lane,” Darian interjects, studying me with that cool gaze of his, “means that certain rules have to be followed.”

“It is laughable to assume that this technology will remain yours alone for the next decade,” I scoff. “Pinnacle Group is currently working on multiple projects. We have no problem putting a pin in this one to wait for somebody else to develop something similar. However, even though you are a multinational, you will end up losing a large amount of money. After all, this technology that you’ve produced has not been used much. We both know that this is only the second time someone has asked for it. You are overplaying your hand, Mr. Kassel. You need us as much as we need you. And we will not be bullied into conceding to your unreasonable demands.”

Darian leans back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Is that what you think we’re doing, Miss Lane? Do you think we’re bullying you?”

It’s the way he says it, the dark, taunting edge to his tone, that has my hands trembling with an emotion that I never wanted to feel again. I clench my hand into a fist. “Do you have another word for it? Would you prefer I use the word ‘pressuring’?”

“The firm we use knows how to market our technology in a way that will reach greater depths of the industry. I’m sure the company Pinnacle Group is currently involved with has its merits, but the one that works for us will open international markets for you. Consider it a gesture of goodwill.”

I exchange a look with Katherine, who is wearing a thoughtful expression on her face. After a moment, she says, “I would like to discuss this further. I am intrigued, but before we decide on anything, I will need some more information.”

She launches into questions for Darian, but it is the man sitting on his left who engages her. Darian just watches me, not even bothering to take part in the conversation. I keep my eyes trained on Katherine, ignoring the way his gaze is burning a hole in the side of my head.

I won’t give him the satisfaction of looking over at him.

There are still a few things that need to be worked out. When it’s my turn to speak again, I bring up two of our biggest concerns.

“Renegotiating the contract after a certain amount of sales have been reached does not work for Pinnacle Group.” I hold out a piece of paper to Katherine, who scans it. “What if we renew the contract, you raise the profit stakes, and we pay your exorbitant fees once again, only to make sales in the double digits? If it were just the license fees, I would understand, but this brings us back to the same problem as before. If you’re profiting fromthe sales, then why are you trying to charge us for the use of the technology, in addition?”

“And what do you propose, Miss Lane?” Darian raises a brow, that same smirk on his lips again. I feel irritated. It’s not escaping anybody’s notice that he’s only engaging in the meeting when I speak. Even Katherine glances at me curiously.

I look at him, my voice hard. “You are already profiting from the sales that we make. You are also profiting from the massive one-time fees we will pay you upfront for using the technology. Don’t try to fleece us. Greed can also be your downfall, Mr. Kassel.”

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