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Her father and Ivan exchanged glances before both started eating once again. She followed suit, chewing the food slowly, just hoping the night came to an end quickly.

  After the main dish was served, her father began conversation about the stock markets and Ivan’s portfolio. She listened intently, only because she was curious in the subject matter.

  “Ivan and I have been talking about combining resources,” her father said, finally addressing her.

  Now that was something new…and interesting. Klein and Truman, LP had been around for nearly a century. The firm had always been a part of the Klein family.

  “Combining resources, how?” she asked.

  “As I’m becoming older and closer to my retirement age, I can’t bear to see the business end if I were to step down as a partner. It’s time I chose my successor.”

  “Why am I just now hearing about this?” She knew this would come about sooner or later, but why would he bring this topic up now in front of Zeldano.

  “I thought now would be a good time to tell you…” He cleared his throat. “I plan to step down and take the role as a silent partner. I’ve searched high and low and I feel that Ivan and his associates would lend a great deal of wealth and knowledge to the firm.”

  “Father…” Arianna put down her fork. “The name of the firm is Klein and Truman. Not Klein and Zeldano. Jayson Truman owns forty nine percent of this business.”

  “Jayson and I have had several disagreements. We will end the partnership.”

  “What?” She sat straight up in her chair.

  “It hasn’t been done yet, as details are being ironed out regarding his late father’s estate. Once the legal papers are in order, Klein and Truman will no longer exist. We’ve agreed to dissolve.”

  Her breath caught in her throat, as she looked from a grinning Ivan to her father. “You want to start a new partnership?”

  “Precisely,” Ivan said.

  “Time is of essence. Ivan has an investor willing to put up the initial outlay needed to get the partnership up and running, but there is an expiration date on the contract,” her father said.

  Arianna gawked in disbelief. “You’ve already planned this.”

  “Because of my fifty one percent ownership in Klein and Truman and details regarding the partnership contract, I cannot legally enter into another agreement.” He turned completely in his chair to face her. “This is where you come in. In order to complete the transaction and create the new firm, we want you to be the initial partner. The new firm will be Klein and Zeldano Investments.”

  Had her father gone insane? “I will take no part in this mess,” she said, firmly.

  “Mess?” Ivan chimed in. “This is about growing a business. Your father and I have talked about your knowledge in the industry and aspirations to enter this line of work. Plus, here is your chance to have it all—anything you can name. We could do remarkable things. You and I.”

  Arianna frowned and shook her head. “Not like this. Stepping over someone else to gain the upper hand is some shady business.”

  Her father put his fork down. “Jayson and I have called it quits already. It just isn’t on paper yet…but until it is, I’m not waiting around for my bank account to dry up because of someone else’s procrastination.”

  “Is this what this is about?” She stood. “Your bank account?”

  “Arianna, sit down.”

  “No.” She threw her napkin on the table. “This meeting is over for me. I want no part in this.”

  “It’s not over. I’m not ready to leave,” her father said.

  “Fine.” She marched passed the servants who all wore bewildered expressions. “I’ll call a cab.”

  Arianna managed to exit the dining hall, make her way down the hall, and exit the home, when her father stopped her in the driveway.

  “Arianna, you have to listen to what we’re trying to do to understand.”

  She swung around and glared. “I knew you were up to something.” Blood rushed through her veins, and she balled her hands into first trying to control her anger. It was impossible. The powerful spirit within her had taken over.

  “This is our only chance.”

  “Is it about the money?”

  He dropped his gaze, and Arianna knew in that instant that her instincts were correct.

  Ever since her mother had passed away after attempting to give birth to what would have been her father’s first son, he hadn’t been the same. It almost felt as though he resented her and this life. The money hadn’t been flowing into the business as it had been the prior three years. This was her father’s risky attempt to remain in the green, and stay out of the red.

  “We don’t have to do this. If you had told me of your plans before, I could have helped. I’ll take the reins, and do whatever I need to make the business profitable again, but I can’t accept what you and Ivan have proposed.”

  Her father shook his head, and kept his head to the ground. “The deal is already done, Arianna. The time has now come for me to deliver.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Luther Zeldano and I made a bargain. You were promised to his son, Ivan. A business union between our families and this one would take us to the top of the hierarchy…but a spiritual union would ensure that we remain there.”

  “You’re serious…” She backed away from him. “You can’t do this.”

  “Under the old rules of Caedmon, I can. The Zeldano’s uphold those rules.”

  “Then you too have denounced the new Caedmon leadership.” It wasn’t a question. All of the signs had been there. It wasn’t until after the death of Jayson’s father and the rise of the new Alpha did he begin to voice his frustrations, and blaming the decline in his business on these events. If her father would only open his eyes to reality, he would have seen by now that old ways and customs were what led him to a dead end. His stubborn ways and resistance to accept meaningful change were what pushed him to agree to this shady mess.

  Arianna turned to leave, but he caught her arm. “Wait. You need time to think. I’ve give you a day, two days for you to realize what good this will do.” He turned a head over his shoulder. “An escort, please. For my daughter.”

  She shrugged away from him. “I can walk.”

  “No, we’re miles away. It would take you hours to get home.”

  “Who told you I was going home?”

  A sleek black car pulled up in front of them. The driver jumped out, opening the back door, and waited.

  “A union in name only,” her father said.

  “I’m almost beginning to think that you lost a piece of your mind as a result of your surgery.” She grimaced. “Scratch that. You’ve lost your whole fucking mind.”

  “You’ve asked how you can repay me.”

  “Not like that.” She turned.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Away from you. Don’t call me or beg me to return home until you’ve returned to your senses. How can you sell me like that?” She paused, and took one more look at him. “I love you, father, but I will never do this.”

  “You’re smart, Arianna. Smarter than I will ever be. Weigh the advantages, and think about how we’ve been cast away as outsiders for decades.”

  It was just like her father to throw something like that out in attempts to justify his actions.

  Arianna frowned, and ducked into the car.

  As far as she was concerned, this arrangement was not made to her advantage.

  Chapter Four

  One thing was for sure, Jayson found that the best place for people watching was the nightclubs. The crowds were dense. The action was throbbing. And when alcohol was a factor, most people forgot about their reservations and gave into their inhibitions.

  Jayson sat back in the sofa with drink in hand, just chilling as the vibrant mood overtook him. On this night, all his worries would be put on the backburner. He’d pay for it tomorrow when he returned to work, but he’d worry about that later.

&nb
sp; The couch dipped beside him and he knew someone had joined him. The tantalizing scent of a woman stirred under his nose.

  “Hello, stranger. Need some company?”

  He opened his eyes and took in her appearance with a slow roving gaze. “Depends.”

  She moved closer, crossing her legs toward him. “You looked lonely…and you’re pretty cute. I thought I’d stop by.”

  “Your name?” he asked, placing his drink on the table in front of them.

  “Carly.” Her breasts fell forward, pushing against her top as she leaned in.

  “Carly…are you sure you want my company?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Should I be forewarned?”

  He slid his hand behind her head and bent low to draw on her human scent. “Maybe. I can be quite an animal…at times.”

  She lifted her neck. “I like it rough.”

  Carly was too vulnerable. These were the types he avoided at all costs. No matter how nerve wracking, he actually enjoyed a good chase once in a while. After all, he was wolf.

  The full moon tonight did not help his raging appetite for carnal pleasure. She placed her hands on his groin, rubbing him through his jeans.

  He growled, lifted her hand, and placed it on her own thigh. “I can see that you’re not very patient.”

  “I can’t really help it,” she whispered. “You feel so good.” She rubbed her breasts against his arm.

  Just as he was about to wrap his hand around her waist to move her in closer, he saw her.

  Arianna Klein.

  She was seated at the bar talking to a man on the stool next to her.

  Jayson’s awareness set in and his hands went lax against the female as his nostrils flared and ears perked up.

  “Excuse me,” he said to Carly, and promptly dismissed himself.

  He barely heard her protest as he left the security of the warm couch and his drink behind. It took him seconds to cross the distance to reach the bar on the other side of the room.

  Arianna didn’t notice him right away because her back was facing him, but the guy who was with her did.

  Jayson scowled. Who was this guy? And what was he doing with Arianna?

  The guy must have sensed his silent threat because he got up, leaving the seat empty beside her.

  Arianna spun around on her stool, and her eyes widened just a bit when she saw him.

  The music seemed to halt as he took her in. She was dressed to the T in a dark royal blue dress and shining silver jewelry that seemed to sparkle like the disco balls that hung from the ceiling. Her dark brown hair was curled and flowed slightly past her shoulders. Her skin looked flawless and succulent like milk chocolate. What he’d always truly admired about Arianna was that she didn’t have to cover herself in pesky makeup and faux adornments to look as stunning as she did tonight.

  Her lips parted. “Jayson.”

  The same heavy, but potent underlying scent that told him she was his mate was the same one which alerted him that her blood was tainted with alcohol.

  He looked down at the shot glass between her fingers. “How many vodka shots have you turned up tonight?”

  “How many times do I have to tell you that you’re not my father?” was her quick reply.

  To illustrate her rebellious nature, she lifted the glass to her lips and swallowed.

  Jayson took a seat on the stool next to her. “I would ask you what you were doing here if I was certain you’d give a reply.”

  Her eyes pierced him. “Are you following me?”

  Arianna was one of the strongest women he knew, so it surprised him to see that her eyes were watery with what looked like tears.

  “Have you been crying?”

  She broke eye contact. “No. Why would I be crying?”

  He could smell a lie. “Who hurt you, Arianna?”

  “No one.” She threw some money on the counter next to the empty shot glass and got up.

  This time, he did follow her. She made it several feet before he took her in his embrace and pulled her to his chest.

  “You like to run from problems, Arianna?”

  “Stop chasing me like I’m your prey,” she demanded.

  “It would be so much easier on both of us if you admit how much you want this.”

  “Unfortunately, some things I want aren’t always good for me.”

  He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to the long scar on the inside of her palm. The familiar scar brought back too many fond memories. “I may not be the perfect wolf or man, I agree, but you and I both know that you are my perfect mate.”

  She pulled from his grasp and successfully made it to a corner of the room.

  “Do you enjoy chasing me?” she asked, when he boxed her against the wall.

  Jayson grinned. “Do I really need to answer that?”

  “I’m trying to leave, if you would let me.”

  “I’m not letting you drive anywhere under the influence.”

  “I have a designated driver waiting for me outside.”

  “Oh yeah?” He quirked his brow. “It’s unusual seeing you in nightclubs and at parties all of a sudden.”

  “I needed a change of scenery.”

  “A change from what? What’s been bothering you?”

  “I…” Arianna’s gaze shifted from him to something else further in the room. “…you’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “What is it?” He attempted to turn, but she caught his shoulder.

  “No, don’t look.” She squeezed lightly on his forearm. “One of the escorts…he’s looking at us. I knew they were watching me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Zeldano’s driver and an escort brought me here. I—”

  “Zeldano?” The name rang a bell, but he was too confused to decipher where from.

  “He’s coming this way. I’ve got to go.” She snatched away from him. “I don’t want you getting into this.”

  Jayson turned and watched as she made a beeline for the exit. It wasn’t until he saw a man in a red shirt trailing after her did his feet really begin to move. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he gained on her.

  In that moment, he knew there would be trouble.

  *

  “We have orders to return you to the Zeldano Estate,” the man in the black tailored suit said, blocking Arianna’s path.

  “Orders?” she gawked.

  They were already causing a scene as the late night party-goers stood outside of the establishment staring. But at the moment, she could care less about reputation and integrity.

  Was her father insane? What mess had he gotten them into this time?

  “Get in the car,” he ordered, opening the door and pointing at the back seat.

  “No.” She refused to be sold to the highest bidder. “You can tell both my father and Zeldano to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.”

  “Ms. Klein!”

  She didn’t heed his warning, but what she did heed was the sound of motorcycle racing straight at them. Fast. It seemed that the rider was headed right to her and would run her over if she didn’t move.

  Arianna prepare to dodge out of the way at the same time she saw wild black hair wiping in the breeze. The rider held a gloved hand out to the side as he rushed toward her.

  It was Jasyon. Again.

  It was now or never. Accept his help or face the consequences of her father’s actions.

  She ignored the calls of Zeldano’s escorts as she thrust out her hand. Her heart pounded vigorously as Jayson gripped her arm. Her body seemed to sail through the air before her behind landed on the seat of the bike behind him. It then jolted forward and he increased his speed.

  She grabbed him around the waist as the breeze rushed against her bare skin and face, preventing her from fully catching her breath.

  Jayson lifted a helmet over his shoulder and handed it back to her. Just before putting it on her head, she stole a glance backward.

  The black Cadillac that
had escorted her to the night club was hot on their tail.

  “Shit, they’re gaining up on us.” she cursed, slipping the helmet over her head.

  “I’m trying to lose them. Hold tight.”

  Pressing her chest against his back, she gripped his waist once again, this time a little tighter. His entire body was tense and his abs grew taut against her fingers as they reached breakneck speeds.

  Arianna and Jayson were thrill-seekers. It was one of traits that attracted her to him, but never had she been faced with actually being chased after. Ever since she could remember, he was always into bikes and racing. When she’d been old enough to ride with him, they’d cruise on the back of his bike for hours, dozens of miles from home. They’d even taken risks several times by riding out on the open highways at hair-rising speeds.

  Suddenly, Jayson took a sharp turn veering off onto another highway. Her body jerked to the right and she clutched at him. She pressed her lips tightly together, trying not to scream.

  The Cadillac still loomed behind them, its bright lights illuminating the highway. Unlike the previous road, this one had vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Up ahead, a pick-up truck seemed to be going at a snail’s pace. Jayson swerved into the opposite lane in an attempt to prevent collision. There were several more vehicles up ahead. If she remembered correctly, the speed limit on this highway was fifty. The way her eardrums pulsed, Jayson had to have been going nearly one hundred.

  Arianna shut her eyes and braced for the worst. Never would she have thought in a hundred years that she’d die in a motorcycle crash.

  “Jayson?” Her panicked voice came out in a rush.

  “I’m trying to lose them. I got this. I promise.”

  She was surprised he’d even heard her over the roaring engine. Another jolt to the right confirmed that he’d turned down yet another road. Cracking one eye open, she looked up and her heart jumped.

  They were coming up on a busy street and intersection in the heart of the city.