Stealing Her (Covet 1)

Edward turned a shade of purple. The board members seemed to sigh in relief as if they were waiting for Julian to take the reins, to show everyone that Edward might own more shares but Julian was in control. It was a strange thing for Julian to do, but I respected him for doing it, more than I would ever be able to express.

“Now, gentlemen, we have much to discuss. Next week, once my signature as CEO is on that document, we can move forward. Until then, I suggest you find someone beautiful to dance with, but you’ll have to excuse me, my future wife and future partner in Tennyson Financial is currently taken.”

We swept past smiling board members. Some chuckled, others lifted their glasses in the air like Julian could do no wrong, and for the first time in months I wanted to lift my glass and say something like Same.

Edward stood there glowering like an angry stone statue while Julian grabbed both of our glasses and put them on a nearby table, then pulled me onto the dance floor in a perfect twirl.

“You’re either suffering from something mental, or you’ve just found out your heart and balls are actually bigger than you thought,” I said, trying to look bored while inside I was dancing a little jig. “Do you realize who you just said that in front of?”

“My father?” Julian shrugged.

“Not just your father, but board members who control the entire company. If they had taken that confrontation the wrong way—”

“But they didn’t, and trust me, even if they did, they won’t.”

He twirled me again.

When we faced one another, his expression was unreadable.

“What do you know that I don’t?”

“A lot,” he said quickly. “I was studying files on my computer and found some things earlier, things that make it look like I’ve been . . . um . . . planning something . . .” He smiled at someone nearby and whirled me in the opposite direction. “I spent hours going through documents, and everything points to a plan for me to truly take over everything. Did you know Dad sold off some more stocks last year? He’s no longer the majority shareholder, he wanted IFC bad enough to do something that he wouldn’t normally do.”

I almost tripped. “What exactly are you saying?”

He just grinned. “I’m saying that I hold all the cards, and for once in his life, I think dear old Dad is scared.”

“How many shares do you own?”

He opened his mouth then shut it like he wasn’t sure. “Let’s just say once I sign those papers on Monday, I’ll own a third of the company and the board owns another third.”

“And the last third?”

“Silent investor.” Something flickered in his eyes. “Someone Dad didn’t want anyone to know about. I got his name and information, and I’m gonna set up a meeting . . .” He looked away. I hated that he wasn’t looking at me, especially since he was actually talking about overthrowing Edward of all people, the only man in the world he ever did anything for.

I cupped his face, tears in my eyes. “You’ve really changed.”

He sighed. Our foreheads touched as he twirled me around again and dipped me, then pressed a searing kiss across my neck.

“Ladies and gentlemen . . .” Edward took the microphone as the music softly played in the background. “We are so thankful for everyone attending tonight. We’ve raised over a million dollars for our nonprofit, Green Tree. We will put food on thousands of tables during the holidays, and we couldn’t do it without you.”

Clapping ensued while Julian clung to me.

“This evening we’re celebrating more than a buyout of IFC, a partnership with one of the largest financial firms in the country. Slowly and surely we will change the world.” People worshipped him with more applause and it made me sick. I touched my stomach and waited for his eyes to drop to us, and they eventually did. “We’re also celebrating something else. Julian, my son, would you bring your fiancée on stage?”

Julian beamed as he put his hand on my back, leading us both up the stairs. We faced the crowd, hand in hand while Edward grabbed a glass of champagne and lifted it high in the air. “I also couldn’t be happier to announce my son’s miraculous recovery.” People cheered so wildly it was like we were at a rock concert. “It’s caused the whole family to reflect on what’s most important, and I’m happy to announce he and Isobel Cunningham will be married next week Saturday at the York Country Club. It shouldn’t come as a shock, just look at them, young, in love, and heirs to a billion-dollar company. Aren’t they just wonderful?”

Julian lifted his glass in the air like I did, like we were expected to, and for a few short moments it all felt so real, the fairy tale Julian had promised, the life we had both talked about having.