Page 41 of Shâhzâdeh

“So you don’t pay your employees that way?” Her question wasn’t a challenge. I could tell by the interested look on her face that she wanted insight into me and my thoughts. And I took that as a sign that the space between us had opened up again for growth to flourish.

“I don’t pay my employees wages zhat vill keep zhem in a state of stress. I want people to be happy working for me. Everyone gets paid weekly. If you work one day a week you’re paid zhe next day. Zhat’s goes from zhe people who clean our properties up to our sales executives. I do not believe in wizholding money from people zhat zhey’ve earned. It’s just a way for a business to accrue interest on payroll and make zhemselves even more money.”

My passion on the subject surprised her. From the gentle o her lips formed in surprised, to the way her eyes softened and had widened slightly. She was impressed by my passion and I prayed that each layer of myself I revealed would continue to show her that we were destined.

She cleared her throat after we’d stood staring at one another, for I didn’t know how long. The sound echoed in the high ceilings of the library startling me. “I would start at six million.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Six million for the house.” She waved her finger around the room and I’d gotten so comfortable in the space mentally, I forgot I didn’t own it yet.

“Zhat seems almost insultingly low to start two million below asking.”

“The only other people who would be in the bidding are corporations who aren’t as liquid as you are. And frankly, the heirs are looking to sell as quickly as possible since it’s been sitting on the market. The speed in getting this deal completed will be the determining factor. I say start at six million and see where they go. Completed the house is worth twelve easily, but they have seller’s fatigue and don’t want to put the money into it the way you can when you own it. What date would you like to provide for closing?”

“How soon could we get zhe deed?”

“It’s Wednesday. Typically, for cash deals, we say ten to fifteen days.” She had her phone out typing away and I was glad she was ready to get this deal done.

I could only smile because there was no way in hell I was waiting two weeks to get this house. “Tell zhem zhey have zhree and set closing for Monday.”

Vanya stuck out her hand for me to shake, her full lips stretched into a gloriously triumphant smile. “Looks like you’re buying a house, Mr. Cannon.”

CHAPTER SIX

Business

XERXES

“HOW DID YOU get in here?”

I could see Vanya wanting to get up from where she was sitting and handle her ex but there was no reason for her to do so when I was right here. I put a staying hand on her forearm to get her to settle. She didn’t buck against the restraint the way I assumed she would. Her eyes flickered to mine, flashing the myriad of emotions she was feeling: annoyance, hatred and the slightest bit of fear.

We’d spent the previous day putting in the offer on the first home she’d found. As much as I wanted to play hardball and waste her time by showing me the other properties, once I saw the joy on her face with the first one I knew there was no need. Today we were celebrating. The house negotiations had been quick because Vanya put in the offer for cash and a three day close before we even left. They’d countered another two hundred thousand, which showed just how greedy they were. Most people didn’t have the luxury of buying a property that still needed work done so the house had sat for years and was basically a money pit for them. They’d had to keep all the systems at full functioning even if the house was empty. They got their increase plus one percent for them to get our deal completed. I’d already feigned stupidity about where to purchase light fixtures and furniture so we’d spent the entire day together going in and out of showrooms to view different options. As if the way she dressed wasn’t evidence enough, Vanya had wonderful taste. If a vendor didn’t have what we needed, she knew who to go to in order for it to be made.

We were ending the day having dinner at the only restaurant she would allow me to take her to. I’d wanted to fly to New York, maybe extreme but at least I hadn’t suggested Lagos like I’d wanted to. She refused and said she would like to treat me to dinner as thanks. Was I pleased? No. The idea of a woman paying for something for me was foreign and I didn’t like it. Even my mother got pushback when she wanted to do something for me. I’d given in to Vanya and allowed her to book us a private room at the McCormick and Schmidt’s. My chef was in the back overseeing the meal to ensure everything was to my standards.

Vanya’s emotions were because of my actions and I had no issue owning to what I’d done.

“I was invited.” It was haughty and arrogant and another mark against a man that I was already going to embarrass. The Rioja conference room we were seated in had a wall of wine bottles behind the rectangular table that was set up. There were only two place settings because I hadn’t expected them to eat.

“There’s no way—”

I squeezed her hand, the ease of touch between the two of us becoming as natural as breathing. This level of intimacy with her wasn’t something I took lightly especially given what I’d found out. “I asked him to come,ziba.”

Eyes filled with betrayal turned to me, watery yet angry. Her body was tightly coiled ready to strike and I wasn’t sure which of us was going to be her target. Probably me because she expected more from me. “But for what—”

I held up my hand hoping to stem her ire until I could at least explain my logic. “Please. Take a moment and remember I would never do anyzing zhat was not for your benefit. I have not come zhis far in my efforts to gain your favor to have you run from me on a simple mistake. I understand zhat zhis looks bad, but I am more zhan capable of handling any issue zhat may arise.”

She had nodded as I spoke, like she was silently affirming everything I said was true against a mental tally of actions since we’d met.

The smug look on his face had me ready to leap across the table, but I had a reason for him being here.

“So you’ve been calling me almost constantly begging me for a meeting. I decided to allow you a few minutes to tell me why my current representation isn’t as good as yours.”

Just then a white man walked in eagerly his eyes lingering far too long on Vanya for my liking. Since the asshole ex-husband of hers wasn’t making introductions, I waited for him to introduce himself. Instead, his eyes stayed on Vanya and her body got more and more tense. My fingers itched to pull out the gun on my side but I refrained for now.

The older man finally spoke up smoothing down his suit jacket and holding his hand out for me to shake. I looked at it with all the disgust I felt in my soul, knowing if I touched his hand I would break it. “Well, we have—”

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