Ashton Scott

He confuses my meaning and says, “Great! I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for a while now. I have a development—”

“I know all about your development, Shandwick, and I’m not interested. However, I am interested in discussing your relationship with your business partner’s daughter. Does he know you’ve been screwing her for three months?”

“Fucking hell,” he splutters, “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I’ll cut straight to the chase. Lorelei’s pulling out of that development, and you’re going to make it known that she was in fact never involved in it to begin with. I don’t care what the fuck you have to tell people, but if you don’t want me to send the photos I have of you with this girl to anyone, you will make it crystal fucking clear that Lorelei’s name was incorrectly associated with you. Am I understood?”

“I’ve heard all about the way you conduct business, and now I know it’s true—you’re a piece of fucking work, Ashton,” he seethes.

“The thing you haven’t heard is that when it comes to those I love, there isn’t anything I won’t do. So believe me when I tell you I will ruin you if you ruin Lorelei’s name.”

“You don’t think I could ruin you first? I have a large network that—”

I cut him off again. “Do your best. I’m not concerned. Now, unless there’s anything you’re still confused about as to my expectations here, I’m ending this call and never want to hear from you again.”

“Fuck you,” he mutters before hanging up on me.

I have no doubt Shandwick will do everything I’ve said. He would be ruined if those photos got out, and he knows it. And as far as his threats against me are concerned, I’m willing to take that chance.

I scroll through my contacts and find Marc Brentley’s number. I’ve been slowly formulating a plan to fight off my father’s demand to sell him the Willow Street properties. It involves Brentley, but it’s risky because he won’t appreciate the negotiation, and it may end up backfiring. However, I now have another reason to take this path, so I call him.

“Ashton,” he answers, “I have you on my list to call today. How are we placed to finalise this deal? I’d like to make an announcement soon.”

This is what I’m banking on. “I’m ready to sign off on it and invest another hundred mill, but there are some stipulations to that.”

“What kind of stipulations?”

“Two things. First, the Willow Street development I’ve heard you’re in bed with my father on. Walk away from it and get him to also. Convince him to leave those properties with me. And secondly, I want to bring Lorelei Winters on board. She’ll be my partner on this. We’ll sign off on it this week, and when you make the announcement, I want her name with mine.”

“You know I fucking detest this kind of manipulation. And I have to say I’m surprised you’re engaging in it. I didn’t think it was your style at all.”

“It’s not. But on this deal, it is.”

“Lorelei Winters obviously means something to you.”

“She does.”

“I don’t like to mix business with personal, Ashton. You bring her in, you’re responsible for keeping personal issues out of this. I won’t tolerate it.”

“Consider it done.”

He turns silent for a few moments before finally saying, “We have a deal, but this is the last time you negotiate in this way with me.”

It’s the last time I’ll negotiate in this way with anyone if I can help it. I’m as against this kind of thing as he is. But for the first time in my life, I’ve found a reason to do it.

As we finish up the call, Jack’s voice sounds from behind me. “Well, that’s something I never thought I’d ever hear.”

I turn to face him. “What?”

“You allowing personal shit to influence your business decisions. I have to say I’m impressed. How did Lorelei convince you to agree to that?”

“She didn’t.” I’m the one who has to convince her now. A conversation I’m not looking forward to having.

He joins me at the table where I’m sitting, placing a mug in front of him. I’m not sure what he’s drinking, but I hope like hell it isn’t whisky. That’s the last thing Jack needs right now. “Is this another situation where you’re taking charge and she just has to deal with it?”

I grimace. “It is, but for good reason.” I then explain everything to him.

When I’ve finished, he takes a drink and rests back against his chair. “I’ve never seen you in love with a woman. It’s about fucking time.” Cocking his head to the side, he adds, “You