Page 103 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

I sat there with my leg bouncing under the table. Brant discreetly placed his hand on my knee, as if telling me not to let them see me sweat. He, on the other hand, was calm, cool, and collected. Dominique had her usual I’ll-eat-you-for-lunch stare going on.

“Let’s get to business, shall we?” Dominique wasted no time.

Fine by me—I wanted this over and done with.

“I assume you have looked over the final offer,” Dominique continued.

“We have,” Jack said. “And we are in agreement except for Addendum C.”

I wasn’t sure what Addendum C was.

“My clients won’t agree to a noncompete clause,” Jack added.

Dominique looked to Brant, whose lips ticked up a bit as if this pleased him.

Brant shrugged like it was no big deal before saying, “Fine; the offer is off the table, and our client requests a fair evaluation done within the next ten business days. At which time she will decide whether she intends to sell her share of the business.”

I squeezed Brant’s leg under the table. When it was all said and done, I didn’t want to hand them my baby.

Brant paid my hand no heed; he kept his attention laser focused on the other end of the table. He wasn’t done with them yet. “In addition, we will hold your clients responsible for all of the costs the business has incurred since they handed over control, per our interim agreement.”

“You can’t do that,” Giselle raised her voice.

“We can and we will,” Brant said so smugly, I wanted to kiss him.

Giselle scowled at Brant before turning to Jack, who was turning a bit red. My guess was that Brant actually could hold them responsible for the costs.

Giselle whispered something to Jack.

Jack cleared his throat. “My clients are willing to accept the noncompete clause if they are financially compensated.”

Brant barked out a laugh. “Our offer is above and beyond the value of their joint shares. Our final offer is on the table. And . . . ,” he paused for dramatic effect, “if they don’t take it, we’re walking, and Ms. Kramer will be immediately searching for a premises in Carrington Cove to open her own restaurant.”

I didn’t know that, but it sounded legit, so I went with it.

Giselle’s eyes widened and she spluttered. It was a beautiful sight. Meanwhile, Carter was tugging on his collar. He began furiously whispering to Giselle.

I stared at Brant in awe. He really was tough in the courtroom. It was a side of him I had never seen. It wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t wish to be his opponent. He was obviously good at his job, and it was apparent why people from near and far sought out his legal services. I knew he had taken down slumlords and deadbeat dads. Now he was taking down the royal highnesses, and I quite enjoyed it. In fact, I decided I should have a little fun.

I stood. “Looks like we should talk to our realtor.”

Brant grinned up at me, and Dominique, who still intimidated the heck out of me, gave me an impressed look.

Giselle and Carter whipped their heads my way. And for once, I stood up to them. “I know you don’t love Two Girls and a Guy the way I do, because you didn’t have to work for it the way I’ve had to. But don’t think you will be stealing my dreams. My dreams are coming with me.” I made to walk out the door with my head held high. Brant and Dominique stood to follow.

Before I could go two steps, Carter said, “Enough, Giselle, we would be stupid not to take their offer. My parents are ready to cut me off,” he admitted. “And they’re tired of your games.”

Giselle’s cheeks turned so red you would have thought she’d been slapped. “I’m not playing games,” she spat.

Carter shook his head and grabbed a pen. “Where do I sign?”

Jack looked relieved and opened the leather binder in front of him.

Giselle looked as if she might cry as she shook in her seat.

I stared at her and dared her with my eyes to finally do the right thing. The look of loathing she gave me, under normal circumstances, would have made me want to wither in a corner, but I was done being bullied by her. I suddenly realized it was me who had given her the power in the first place. I had been so afraid of what I thought she could do, I’d let her think she could treat me however she wanted. It was how the bullies of the world worked. They preyed on our fears. Well, I would no longer be afraid of her, or Jill for that matter. I wasn’t giving anyone else that kind of power over me. I had seen the kind of damage it had done to Dani and the Hollands, and the lives it had ruined. I swore then that I wouldn’t let the Giselles and Jills of the world ruin my life or anyone else’s that I loved. That included Dani’s and Brant’s.

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