Manhattan Merger

“With your cooperation, maybe Diane will get so angry she’ll end up begging me take her to Switzerland. She’s a competitor at heart. That’s why I believe this will work. I could have roamed the earth and never found a more worthy opponent than you.”

After a significant pause he said, “If your answer is no, then I’ll leave here and you’ll never have to worry about dealing with me again. If it’s yes, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you tried to help another human being get back her life.”

Rainey couldn’t have looked more dazed.

“I realize it’s a lot to ask. I have no right. I do a lot of things when I don’t have the right, but it’s the way I’m made.”

The silence lengthened.

Summoning every vestige of willpower he possessed, Payne walked out of the apartment with a vision indelibly impressed of her standing there looking tormented.

But not tormented enough to call him back.

With that crushing realization, he headed for the staircase.

The thought of life without Rainey Bennett sent him into a despair so black, he didn’t remember going down the three flights of stairs to the foyer. Mac and John stood somewhere in the periphery waiting for Payne to climb in the back of the limo. Doors opened and closed. It was all a blur.

“Payne?”

“What is it, Andy?”

“Ms. Bennett is on the sidewalk motioning for you to put down your window.”

Being told that Rainey had followed him all the way to the street was like his body freefalling thousands of feet only to be yanked as his chute suddenly opened.

With lightning speed he levered himself from the car, still trying to catch his breath.

Dozens of people were walking back and forth, but as far as Payne was concerned, he and Rainey were the only two people in existence. She couldn’t very well avoid his gaze though she was trying.

“You wouldn’t be standing here if the answer weren’t yes. Shall we talk about it in the limo, or upstairs?”

She moistened her lips nervously. “When would you want me to start?”

“Now.”

“So soo—”

“I have to leave for Paris on Tuesday morning. Therefore I’d like to go over my maps with you this weekend and show you how I work.”

“But my apartmen—”

“I’ll help you bring down the things you’ll need for the weekend. On Monday we’ll arrange for you to meet with movers. You can put anything in storage you won’t require while you’re living with me.”

“I’ll have to be here for the courier to pick up my latest painting.”

“We’ll do that and I’ll take care of your lease.”

“No—I’ve already made an installment agreement with the super.”

Payne decided to let her have that victory for now. Early on he’d learned that when he was on the brink of a major takeover, he pounced when the tiny window of opportunity

presented itself. The little things could slide.

“I—I won’t need your help with my bags. If you’ll wait here, I’ll be back down as soon as I can.”

“Take all the time you want.” I’m not going anywhere without you.

Payne recognized she craved privacy to say goodbye to the man who’d been in her apartment earlier. Little did the poor devil know Rainey would be out of permanent circulation the moment of liftoff.