Page 23 of Enemies with Benefits

I wasn’t smiling two weeks later when I slammed my phone down after another failed call to the number that had risen to the top of my speed-dial list.

She didn’t answer.

It was time to pull out the big guns.

I typed out a quick text.

I’m calling you in one minute. I suggest you pick up or the next call will be from my lawyers. Trust me, you don’t want that.

The speech bubble that said she was answering rippled for several seconds—while I held my stupid breath—before it died. Exactly one minute later, I dialled her number.

‘Hello?’

‘What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Wren?’

‘Good afternoon to you, too, Jasper. How’s your day going?’

‘You know damn well how it’s going. You went behind my back and cancelled our meeting with the advertising team. Yesterday you didn’t bother to show up for the VIP guest hospitality meeting. The day before that—’

‘If you’re going to list everything I’ve done or not done in the last two weeks, do you mind if I pour myself a drink? I have a feeling I’ll be thirsty by the time you’re finished.’

‘This is absurd. You’re costing us both a lot of money.’

‘Nothing earth-shattering I can’t recoup eventually.’

‘At the risk of sounding egotistical, I can withstand the losses way longer than you can. Have you thought about that?’

She hesitated for a split second. ‘Maybe. But just as you’ve done your research on me, I’ve done mine on you. You have a board to answer to. And I dare say not everyone is thrilled about you hanging on to this deal when cutting me loose makes better sense. What do you tell them when they ask, Jasper? That you’re holding on, on the off chance you’ll get to fuck me as part of the deal?’

My stomach muscles knotted. I wasn’t going to deny it. But it wasn’t myentirereason. ‘They trust my judgement, which is more than I’m guessing you can say for your own board.’

‘Clearly you don’t know as much as you think you do.’

‘Enlighten me, then.’

‘For starters? My board approved the list of willing partners who have indicated they’d be happy to buy out Bingham Industries’ interest in this deal and they know you’re refusing to entertain that idea on the basis that you’re being a pig-headed—’

‘Watch it, Wren. I won’t be spoken to like that.’

To her credit, she didn’t offer a scathing comeback.

‘Has it occurred to you that prolonging this battle leaves you progressively exposed, not to mention in danger of ruining your personal reputation?’ I asked.

‘What are you talking about?’ she replied, her voice tight.

‘It’s no secret that Bingham’s is facing financial issues. Have you wondered why the corporate sharks haven’t started circling yet?’

‘Because we’re not as weak as you think.’

‘Bullshit. It’s because of your association with the Mortimer Group. For now anyone with a lick of corporate sense knows not to mess with you because you’ve partnered with me. That protection erodes the second you give the impression we’re not on the same page on this.’

‘It’s not an impression.’

I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled loudly. ‘Christ, Wren, you’re an intelligent woman. Don’t let emotion cloud your judgement. I’m reaching the point where I won’t feel inclined to keep the wolves from storming your door.’

‘I beg your pardon?’ she said sharply.

‘Frankly, I’d rather have you begging for something else. But more on that in a while. For now, I want you to think hard about what you’re doing.’

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