Jaded Read online

  “What’s my talent exactly?”

  “You’re a shrewd and clever businessman. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll kill it.”

  Right at that moment, he felt like a rock star.

  “And yes, we can evaluate the idea and risks and if it still has legs when we’re done, then you can go for it. Tonight’s just about exploring the opportunity. No pressure.”

  “I’m starting to see why Brody can’t live without you,” he said.

  “That’s the truth.” She grinned. “Now stop fidgeting with your tie. You’ll mess it all up.”

  The restaurant was one of those cold, urban type places with exposed ceilings and pipes in shades of gray that made Zane jittery. Forgetting Honor’s instruction from earlier, he yanked at his tie as they waited for the hostess to seat them. If only he could take the stupid thing off. This suit jacket was killing him slowly, too, suffocating him. Honor slipped her hand into his. “You’ve got this.”

  Did he though? This was the type of thing he vowed never to do again. Fancy people with fancy agendas, mostly how to make more money than the next guy.

  The first thing he noticed was that there were only a man and woman at the table, not four. He thought they’d said something about bringing their spouses. Great. Honor was going to stick out like a sore thumb. He glanced at her, hoping to convey his apology with his eyes. “I thought they were bringing spouses.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said. “We got this.”

  When Zane and Honor arrived at the table, their dinner companions both stood.

  “Jeff Hall, nice to meet you. And this is my business partner, Anise Ward.”

  “Great. Sure. Pleasure,” he said. Holy crap, could he not talk now? This was a tremendously bad idea. “Thanks for coming. This is my friend Honor Sullivan.”

  As they shook hands with Honor, he took the opportunity to assess Jeff and Anise. Jeff was short and stocky with a receding forehead and bright, blue eyes that seemed too large for his face. No tie, but a dinner jacket. Always better to be overdressed than under, right? Was that right?

  It didn’t matter.

  Anise was taller than her partner by a few inches. Dark eyes and a sheath of shiny black hair, she had those fake eyelashes so many women wore these days. They reminded him of an old-fashioned fan. Wide hips, ample breasts, and a small waist were displayed in a dress so tight he was surprised she could sit.

  “Great to meet you as well,” Honor said. Pink flushed her cheeks. Brown eyes snapped with intelligence, like she was ready for battle. A surge of pride washed through him. She’d agreed to join him, to help him. Next to Anise, Honor screamed class and sophistication. Jackson always said Maggie made him proud wherever they went because she was so competent and discerning. This was how he felt about Honor. Was this what it felt like to be in love?

  They all took seats and ordered drinks. Outside the window, the Golden Gate Bridge spread out against the last blue of the evening sky.

  “I thought you said you were bringing spouses,” Zane said.

  “Ah, yes, spouses,” Anise said. He detected an accent. Maybe Brazilian, but he couldn’t be sure. “We’d planned on it, but Jeff’s wife’s not feeling well.”

  “She’s pregnant,” Jeff said. “Terrible nausea.”

  “The poor thing.” Anise fluttered her hands. Long red fingernails were shaped into points like claws.

  He glanced at Honor’s hands. Her fingernails were short and painted a soft pink.

  “And my husband’s with his mistress in Paris,” Anise said.

  What had she said? Mistress?

  “So, he will not be accompanying me to any further meetings.” Anise smiled, revealing large, white teeth.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Zane said.

  “Don’t be. It’s been—how do you say? Inevitable. I met him when he was married and now, poof, he meets a new one while married to me. But, not to worry. It’s my money, all locked up in a prenup, so it will have no consequence to our business negotiations.”

  Jeff watched Honor over the rim of his glass like he wanted to order her for dinner.

  Keep your married hands off her.

  “Shall we talk business before we enjoy dinner?” Anise asked.

  “Sure. I’d like that,” Zane said. The sooner they could agree on terms and get out of here the better.

  “As you know, the two of us are the only partners in our firm,” Jeff said. “It’s just us and our small staff, so we’re able to make a decision quickly.”

  “What interests you in this opportunity?” Honor buttered a piece of bread without taking her eyes off Anise.

  “We want to expand our investments to include small businesses that could possibly scale to larger enterprises,” Anise said.

  “What about beer excites you?” Honor asked.

  “Beer is neither here nor there,” Anise said. “We’re particularly interested in Zane.”

  Anise had a sleepy, languid way of talking that reminded him of a cat on the old animated movie The Aristocats.

  “He’s impressed us with his business plan,” Jeff said. “As well as his dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship. We also agree that the area is ripe for more eating establishments. The fact that he owns the other bar and restaurant in town is appealing. The two enterprises can complement each other without worrying about competition. This is a unique opportunity. We’re looking for that in all the businesses we invest in.”

  Honor’s eyes were as sharp as a leopard watching her prey. “How silent do you intend to be?”

  “We have no interest in the day-to-day operations,” Anise said.

  “In fact, the less we’re involved, the better,” Jeff said.

  “We care only to be happy with the product,” Anise said. “And profits, of course.”

  “Restaurants are risky,” Honor said. “Why this and not something more concrete?”

  “We like Zane,” Anise said. Her eyelash fans blinked. Was she being flirtatious? In a business meeting? He looked back at Honor to see if she noticed. The answer to that question was impossible to discern. She possessed the same intense look she’d worn since they arrived.

  “And breweries are not the same as restaurants,” Jeff said. “We also love the idea of the grounds and the event possibilities.”

  “More of a town hangout than anything,” Zane said. “A place for community.”

  “Yes, and your very American baseball field,” Anise said.

  “And grass,” Zane said.

  “Right. Yes,” Anise said. “Grass.”

  Jeff pulled a stack of papers from his briefcase. “We’ve had papers drawn up. We’d love to have you take a look, Zane. Let’s get this wrapped up tonight and get started building your dream.”

  Honor held out her hand. “May I see the contract, please?”

  “You won’t want to read them before dinner,” Anise said. “So boring you might fall asleep in the soup.”

  “I’m an expert on contracts. They don’t bore me,” Honor said.

  “What is it you do?” A tight smile stretched over Jeff’s teeth, like his mouth was dry.

  “I’m the business manager to a celebrity,” Honor said.

  “I see. So, you know a little about contracts.” Jeff slid the contract across the table to Honor. “Excellent.”

  Had Jeff glanced at Anise with an expression of alarm or was he being paranoid? Zane stifled a sigh. He hated this. Hated that he had to be at the mercy of others and their money. This was the story of his life. Rich people send back a perfectly good hamburger while workers sweat in the kitchen.

  Honor continued to watch Jeff as she spoke. “It’s my experience that most investors have very specific reasons for choosing their projects. I’m curious to understand more about your goals. Do you want to build up a local brand of beer to sell to a bigger corporation? Because otherwise, this doesn’t make sense.”

  “It’s our prerogative, what we choose to fund,” Anise said.
/>   He stole a sideways glance at Honor. Suspicion seemed to rise from her body like an apparition. What did she see that he didn’t?

  “I can assure you we have nothing but good intentions.” Jeff snapped his fingers to get the waiter’s attention.

  Zane hated it when customers snapped, like they were royalty or something. Furthermore, he didn’t care for the way Jeff was staring at Honor.

  They ordered dinner and continued to chat about inconsequential matters while Honor looked over the contract. She looked up from it once when the food arrived to take several bites of her steak and potato. By the time the server arrived with dessert menus, she was back to the contract.

  “Does she always do this?” Anise asked. “Read a contract through dinner?”

  Without looking up, Honor replied, “Only when my friend’s about to give away the farm.”

  “Excuse me?” Anise asked.

  “How long were you planning on pretending that you were interested in anything but the property?”

  “I’m not following.” Jeff’s blue eyes were wide behind his glasses. A droplet of sweat glistened at his temple.

  “It’s clever the way this is worded,” Honor said. “But not clever enough.”

  No one spoke for a split second. Zane could hear blood pumping between his ears, like a faint bass drum.

  “What’s clever, dear?” Anise said. Dear. Condescending. This was her ammunition. Act cool and collected—get the other person to feel small and stupid.

  She might be small, but Honor Sullivan was not stupid.

  “Clever is the wrong word. Devious might be better.” Honor turned to page five and tapped the paper with her index finger. “Right here it says you will own the majority of the rights to the property, which means you can sell it at any time.” She turned the page and smacked the paper with the palm of her hand. “And right there is a tiny yet deadly clause that basically means Zane would be renting the property from you.”

  “No, you misunderstand,” Anise said.

  “I don’t, actually. Your proposal is to buy the land and rent it back to Zane?”

  “You’re mistaken,” Anise said, eyes wide. “Why would we do that?”

  “It makes no sense,” Jeff said.

  “You’re damn right it makes no sense,” Honor said. “For Zane.” She pushed the papers back across the table to Jeff. “This is the dirtiest contract I’ve ever seen. And the perfect example of why the people of our community don’t want to sell to an outsider. Once again, you’ve proven them correct.”

  Dammit, she was right. City people in suits and tight dresses. People always proved themselves to suck as much as he first thought. People are liars. Don’t trust anyone outside our group.

  “Fine,” Jeff said. “But it’s not as simple as all that.”

  “It’s pretty simple, even for us small town folks to understand,” Honor said. “You’ve created a contract that screws Zane and our community out of precious land. We all know the value is there, not in the beer. We can brew that anywhere. What we’re trying to do is make a place for our kids and families while also bringing commerce to our town.”

  “Perhaps this is true, but it’s also true that he doesn’t have capital for the land,” Anise said. “Which is why he needs us. Without us, there is no project.”

  “You need him or you can’t get your greedy hands on the land in the first place.” Honor glared at Anise with a slight smile on her face. It was terrifying. Note to self. Don’t make Honor this mad.

  “What if we promise we won’t sell the land,” Anise said. “We’re interested in a long-term relationship with Zane and his business enterprises. As we see it, this is just the first of many projects.” She turned to Zane. “Think about it—with our backing you can create breweries all the way up and down the coast. You’ll be rich.”

  Rich. So I can become a morally bankrupt jerk like you? No thanks. Out loud he put it more politely. “This isn’t solely about money for me. Yes, I want to build a profitable business, but it’s important we keep the land in locals’ hands.”

  “It’s endearing the way you say it, but it’s always about money,” Anise said.

  “For you, maybe,” Honor said. “But that’s not how Zane rolls.”

  Honor slid the contract across the table to Jeff. “I’m sorry, but we’ll raise the money in another way.”

  “This is a mistake.” Anise raised her eyebrows as if shocked.

  Zane helped Honor to her feet. “Goodnight.”

  “Let us know if you change your mind,” Jeff said.

  “He won’t,” Honor said.

  Chapter Six

  Honor

  * * *

  HONOR COULD FEEL the heat rising from Zane’s body as he helped her into the SUV. He was angry. Was it at her, or them? Whichever it was, so be it. She couldn’t let him sign a deal like that.

  He slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. “I can’t believe how stupid I am.”

  “Not at all. The language was tricky. On purpose.”

  “I would’ve signed it if you hadn’t been there. I feel sick. And lightheaded.”

  “They don’t have the capital to buy it and put a business on it. Do you see? They’re getting everything they want if they buy the property and then you’re basically paying their mortgage and they’re getting a chunk of your business. They wouldn’t have even let you start plans. They would’ve started building houses or put a strip mall in the minute you’d all signed the deal. What a couple of snakes.”

  “How did you know to be suspicious?”

  “I trust no one until they prove worthy,” she said. “But it was her shoes that tipped me off immediately.”

  “Her shoes?” he asked.

  “Cheap knock offs. And his were newly polished, but I could see how worn they were.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “You can tell someone’s entire story by their shoes. If we wait here long enough, I’ll bet money they walk out of the restaurant and get into that car.” She pointed to an older model Toyota parked on the other end of the lot. “Complete phonies.”

  “You’re so freaking hot,” he said.

  She grinned. He liked her the way she was. No pretending to be stupid or weak when she wasn’t. “I was afraid you’d be mad.”

  “No way.” He thumped his forehead against the steering wheel. “Thank God you came with me.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be. People like that are experts at making fools of people like us.”

  “Like us?”

  “Poor people,” she said.

  “You’re not poor anymore.”

  She tapped her forehead. “Once a poor girl, always a poor girl in here.”

  “Anyway, they only succeeded in making a fool out of me.” His voice softened as he reached across the console and patted her hand. “You were amazing. Truly. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

  “I’m glad I was able to add value. It means a lot to me that you trust me enough to let me take over like that.” She glanced over at the restaurant entrance. The snakes were coming out the door and headed for the old car. “Yep, I was right. Look.”

  “Let’s get out of here.” Zane backed out of the spot.

  “Definitely, before I’m tempted to kick their car as they drive away.”

  He merged onto the street and headed toward the freeway entrance. “Quite a date we’re having, huh?” His complexion had a miserable green tint under his tan. “I promised Maggie I’d take you on a proper date, not one where you have to save me from a couple of reptiles.”

  “Are you kidding? I’m having the time of my life. I get a rush out of this kind of thing. I love it. Not kidding. I know it’s weird, but this is my super power.”

  “Contract Girl?”

  She laughed. “I could get a cape and everything.”

  “A pink one to go with your nails.”

  He’d notice
d her nails?

  “Anyway, don’t worry about a proper date. We can do that some other time,” she said.

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “Oh. Okay. Well, it’s getting late anyway. We should probably go home.” Her heart sank. She didn’t want the night to end.

  “No, I mean I’m going to make this a proper date starting now,” he said. “We’re in the city. You look incredibly gorgeous. Let me take you out someplace fun.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Sure. We can’t let this ruin our whole night. Where do you like to go when you’re here?”

  The world shimmered with opportunity as the lights of the city beckoned. Where should they go?

  Her phone buzzed from inside her purse. “Hang on. Someone’s calling me.” Brody.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Are you in the city and didn’t tell me?” Brody asked.

  “How did you know that?”

  “I have your phone bugged,” Brody said.

  “You do not.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s Brody,” she said to Zane.

  “I don’t, but one of my social media apps told me you were in the area,” Brody said.

  “That’s creepy,” she said.

  “I know. But is everything all right? How come you didn’t call?” Brody asked. “Do you want to stay with us tonight?”

  “I’m here with Zane. We had a meeting.”

  “A meeting?”

  “Kind of, yeah.” Stunned silence greeted her from the other end of the phone. Next, Kara’s voice came on. “Are you on a date with Zane?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Is he right there?” Kara asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh my God. How’s it going?”

  “Pretty good, I guess.” Honor stole a glance at Zane. His eyes were on the road, but his lips twitched. He could probably hear every word. “What are you guys up to?”

  “Nothing. Just enjoying a night in. You guys want to come by?” Kara asked.

  “She wondered if we wanted to come by?” Honor asked Zane.

  He looked over at her. “We do not.”