Entangled With The Heiress

Startled at her reaction, he deliberately pulled his mental barriers back in place, then moved effortlessly into the spiel he had prepared to convince the board of his usefulness to their present dilemma. His cover story as a business consultant rolled smoothly off his tongue.

A brief discussion ensued, one Trinity continued to follow with that sphinxlike expression on her face. He knew she was soaking it all in, but she showed very little reaction to his pitch. Until the end.

When he was done speaking, she stood up. It wasn’t an attempt to intimidate, as he’d seen the other men do earlier in the meeting through the small spy camera Richard was carrying for him. No. Instead, tranquility radiated from her, garnering the attention of those around her.

Rhett didn’t understand what that magnetism was, but he was determined to find out.

All eyes were riveted on her as she said in a solid voice that held no hint of hesitation, “Welcome, Mr. Brannon. We appreciate your willingness to take on our unusual situation.”

He heard a quickly stifled hiss from Patricia, but Rhett didn’t look her way. He found himself too fascinated with this new, unexpected side of Trinity, this authority that seemed to come naturally to her. The woman he’d met last night had been hesitant. Shy, even. In this moment, she was commanding.

For the first time, he wondered why the Hyatts saw Trinity as more of a nuisance who stood in their way rather than a true threat. They should be much more concerned. Because his instincts said he was now facing someone who might prove to be a more than competent adversary when crossed.

“Gentlemen,” she said, her tone brooking no argument, “there’s been enough discussion for today. I believe hiring Mr. Brannon as a consultant is an acceptable solution all around.”

She glanced toward the interim board director, who nodded. “This meeting is adjourned. You all know your way out,” he said.

As one, everyone stood and headed toward the door. Not a single person lingered. Rhett could see why. Trinity had closed the discussion with a force of personality that hadn’t been in evidence earlier.

His spy camera hadn’t caught her saying very much in the meeting, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t made an impact. It was almost as if she’d sat in the room, blending in like an old-fashioned wallflower, while she soaked in every word being said. But when she’d made her decision, it was time for everyone else to get the hell out of Dodge, so to speak.

Impressive.

Whispering among themselves, the crowd, led by Richard and his wife, filed out the door held open by a butler. Rhett would have gotten lost in the sprawling mansion if not for the butler leading the way.

It possessed an opulent, dark beauty in the curved arches of every window, the elaborately carved entryways and myriad displays of art and books in every nook and cranny. Quintessentially Southern, it reflected the rich, spicy atmosphere of the city with splashes of bright color and nods to the rich, turbulent history of the land.

Gorgeous, but stifling. Did Trinity find the elegance oppressive? Her focus on her responsibilities, while admirable on the surface, could simply be part of the act. Dutiful widow and all. Would she welcome him into her confidence to help her with the duties she’d inherited, even as he gathered the evidence to take her down? Though it was just an assignment, his heartbeat gained speed at the thought of working so closely with her.

No, he needed to proceed with caution. He needed to get close to her, yes. But only to do his job. He needed the real motive…not the real woman.

Still, enticing Trinity to have a little fun could serve his purpose well.

Trinity exchanged a few quiet words with her lawyer when Bill paused beside her, but she didn’t move as he headed on through the door. Rhett didn’t miss the hard look Bill threw his way. That man would have a background check completed before the end of today. Too bad he would only find what Rhett wanted him to know.

Somehow, without the words being spoken, Rhett knew Trinity expected him to remain behind. Sheer curiosity held him still. He was psyched to see what other surprises she had in store for him.

As his gaze returned to her, he caught the briefest of moments when her whole body seemed weighed down. Her shoulders drooped. Her head hung forward a few inches. Her expression was lined with despair. It was only there for a moment, as if the demands of speaking earlier had drained every last inch of her energy.

Then the moment disappeared, and she was once more closed off to his prying eyes.

As soon as the last board member cleared the room, Trinity nodded to the butler and he firmly closed the carved wooden doors. Not missing a beat, she turned to Rhett and fixed him with her gaze.

“Tell me exactly what game it is you think you’re playing, Mr. Brannon.”

Three

Watching Rhett’s gray eyes widen with shock was even better than the special scenes in the movies that were her big indulgence now that she was an adult. Her mother had believed films were sinful, but Trinity had no such hang-ups. There was nothing better than losing herself in scene after colorful scene…except maybe throwing Rhett off guard by stepping outside of the carefully constructed box he’d obviously placed her in.

She had a feeling he wasn’t often at a loss for words. Today his presence was even more commanding than last night. He’d stepped into a room full of powerful businessmen without any hesitation. He’d taken up the reins of the meeting as if he’d been born to lead and established his abilities with just a few simple words.

This was a version of the man she’d met last night. Still gorgeous in that glossy-magazine way, but without the flirtatiousness and single-minded intensity of the night before. Today he’d been performing for the entire room. Last night he’d been focused only on her.

Or so it had seemed.

What was he really up to? She needed answers.

“You knew who I was last night.” The words weren’t a question, because they both knew the truth. She waited for the excuses to start rolling in.

“Trinity.”

His deep voice held the same intimate tone that it had the night before, except now they were in a boardroom, instead of what had seemed like a very private meeting of their own. Still she had to suppress a shiver as her skin prickled.

This time it was her turn to be taken off guard. His dark good looks, the pull of his powerful personality sucked her under. What was the point in asking questions? It would be easier to sit and stare for a while, let his sexy energy distract her from the truth that had to be lurking behind that charming smile. It would be such a relief to drop the suspicions and defenses the situation seemed to require.

“You’re right,” he said, the ready confession surprising her. “I did recognize you—after you told me your name.”

That made sense. The story of Michael’s death and her inheritance had certainly been in the news lately. “It still didn’t occur to you to introduce yourself? Your real self?”

One thing Trinity had learned in life was that you never got anywhere if you kept backing down…and she wasn’t moving forward with this plan until she had some answers.

“Well, yes,” he conceded.

His gaze dipped, making her suddenly aware of her arms crossed over her front and how defensive she must seem. She forced herself to relax, but that seemed to warrant another quick look from him, one that lingered just long enough to cause gooseflesh to break out over her forearms.

“But?” she prompted. Eyes up, bucko.

“But I wasn’t sure whether this plan had been shared with you yet. Besides, I didn’t know the job was definite until this morning. I just flew in last night. It was simply…a tentative offer.”

His logic was perfectly reasonable. He’d been right to wonder. After all, she hadn’t been told why he was here…or that he was here at all. Something she couldn’t fault him for, as much as she’d like to.

So why did her suspicions linger?

It didn’t help that a slight smile graced his lips, almost as if he were amused by all the questions. Defensiveness rose inside her, a desire to build a protective wall around herself, so he couldn’t see or touch or know any part of her that might tell him just a little too much about the real Trinity Hyatt.

This was business only.

She forced herself to focus on that. “Why would you come here just to consult in a situation like this?”

He shrugged. “It’s what I do. Teaching people to run their businesses properly, or more efficiently, or simply to evaluate and suggest new processes. People who inherit businesses like you have are sometimes more in need of those services than most.”

“Isn’t that kind of like ‘those who can’t do, teach’?”

That sounded rude when she said it out loud, but maybe she wanted to push him away. Just a little.

“Not when you’re as good at it as I am.”

He said the words with a perfectly straight face. So why did she feel like he was insinuating something that had nothing to do with business?

Determined to distract him, not to mention herself, she asked, “Do you usually conduct business by lying to people? The people you’re supposed to be helping?”

He straightened, though his facial expression didn’t change. “I wasn’t lying. I just didn’t reveal everything right when we met because nothing had been decided upon.”

Warning bells went off in Trinity’s head at his dangerous logic. They got even louder as he leaned over, resting his hands against the edge of the boardroom table, a wide smile appearing on his lips.

Why did her heart speed up, just like it had earlier? They were only talking. She knew Bill, Richard and the butler, Frederick, were just outside. Frederick wouldn’t leave her unguarded with a stranger. There wasn’t any danger here. But the response had to be fear…right?

Then Rhett spoke. “Besides, I definitely didn’t want to kill the mood with something as boring as business.”

“If I had known—” Trinity sputtered.

“You never would have spoken to me about art or beauty or feelings last night,” he finished for her. “All of it would have been off the table.” He leaned a little closer. “While I appreciate what you’re saying, I simply wasn’t ready to break the mood.”

Implying he’d felt all or more of the attraction she had as they’d stood alone in the rotunda. But she had been willing to walk away because discussing those things with him made her feel much more than she should. Regardless of the fact that her husband had only been dead six weeks, and the fact that getting involved with anyone would give the press one more reason to flay her alive, Trinity was fully aware that she wasn’t experienced enough to handle a man like Rhett.

He had the sophistication of a man who knew exactly what he wanted and exactly how to get it. She was completely naive by comparison—she knew that. Could she work with the businessman to stabilize the situation at the company and still give the fascinating charismatic version of Rhett a wide berth?

She glanced down at his hands resting on the tabletop and frowned. She had to establish the rules as strictly as she could. It was up to her to set the tone, stake the boundaries.

“Just how much is this consulting job going to cost me?” She had no doubt that this would come out of her portion of the inheritance.

He frowned, as if he disapproved of her attempt to bring the focus back to business. But he didn’t back down. Instead, he gestured toward the scattered papers still littering the slick black surface of the conference table. “Does it really matter?”

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She wasn’t in a place where she could bargain…not when the livelihoods of over 5,000 people were at stake.

When they left the boardroom, Rhett could feel Richard approaching them. Even if he hadn’t been looking, Rhett would have known by the way Trinity straightened. The way she gathered herself gave her almost another inch in height. Was she readying herself in defense…or to go on the offensive?

Relief spread through him as Bill arrived, too, so Trinity wasn’t alone with Richard. Her feelings weren’t something he should care about—as a matter of fact, the more uncomfortable she was, the more likely she was to make a mistake. Which was to his advantage.

So why was he worrying about her so much?

His phone vibrated. Rhett glanced at the display before excusing himself.

“Rhett here,” he said, connecting the call after walking a few feet away.

It was his standard greeting for his business partner, a signal to Chris that Rhett had to be careful about his words because someone might overhear him.

Once he was at a safe distance, he turned back around and met Trinity’s gaze. She didn’t immediately look away.

Chris’s voice distracted him. “What’s this I hear about you wanting me to take over your job? Has some woman got you whupped already?”

“In twenty-four hours?” His partner was way off base, though Rhett had the uncomfortable feeling this job wasn’t going to follow his usual patterns.

“Well, it could happen,” Chris said.

“In what universe?” The ribbing had the familiar comfort of a worn pair of jeans, calming Rhett’s concerns.

“Stefan was really worried. He said you sounded funny on the phone,” Chris said. “I figured lust must have hit hard and quick.”

“I’m impervious.” At least, he hoped so.

“That’s what they all say.”

Picking up the cue, Rhett and Chris said in unison, “But for us it’s the truth.”

“Seriously, Rhett,” Chris said, his tone finally turning serious, “what’s the problem?”

Rhett was silent for a moment, unsure how much to get into. In addition to the trio standing nearby, several board members still lingered across the anteroom near the impressive arched window. “Nothing I can’t handle. Last night was weird but I’m over it.”

“That was quick.”

Oh, the odd premonitions he’d had about Trinity were still there, but Rhett refused to cave into his feelings. “I’ve got it under control.”

“You sure?” Chris asked.

“Yeah. I have no doubt I’m gonna find something here. It’s just a matter of digging deep enough.” It always was.

“Just be careful you don’t enjoy it too much.”

Though the warning came with the territory, Rhett felt it on a much deeper level than usual. “I know better than to get involved.”

“Hey, we all need a reminder sometimes. We were made to be cynical. Sometimes we just listen to our man parts more than our common sense.”

Rhett knew better than to protest. That would just make him sound defensive.

Apparently, silence made him sound guilty, too, because Chris kept up his lecture.

“If it was just one time, life would be different. You and I both would be different,” Chris said. “But we were exposed to the truth too many times. Never forget your dad and Veronica…or Mickey and Tracy…or even Lily and—”

“Uncle Joe,” they said together. They’d had this discussion many times before. Both of them had families littered with betrayal. Every couple Chris mentioned was an example. It had been a training ground for the work Rhett now did.

“Dude,” Chris went on. “Anastasia taught you well.”

The mention of his former fiancée was just another reminder for Rhett to harden his resolve. He was fully aware of how dangerous lust could be to a man. Especially when he was staring at the incredible silhouette of Trinity from behind. Her height might be an inch or two below average, but her curves were fully present and accounted for…

And he was accounting for each and every one. He needed to take Chris’s words to heart and get his head in the game. “Roger that,” he said before signing off.

Now Rhett could move on to the next stage in his plan to insinuate himself into Trinity’s life.

He approached the little group just in time to hear Richard say, “At least you’re being sensible. It won’t do any of us any good if you ruin everything before we take over.”

“If you take over,” Bill countered with a stern glance.

Richard smirked. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Trinity held still, not reacting to the men’s conversation, though her gaze remained on Richard’s face long enough for the man to actually fidget in his designer leather shoes. Impressive.

“A little snag,” Rhett said, raising his phone to indicate the call.

“Anything we can do to help?” Bill asked with a lawyer’s version of a polite smile.

Rhett hoped so. “Can you recommend a place to stay? My secretary said the hotel wasn’t able to extend my reservation because of a convention or something.”

Bill frowned in concentration, but Richard didn’t think for a moment. “You don’t need a hotel.”

To Rhett’s fascination, Trinity showed her first touch of annoyance by pressing her full lips firmly together. Was she holding back a protest for what she could see coming? How would she feel if she knew he and Richard had arranged this ahead of time?

Doesn’t matter, numbskull.

“You can stay right here,” Richard replied gleefully. “Hyatt House has plenty of guest rooms. Right, Trinity?”

When Trinity replied, she spoke with a little too much control. “Of course. There’s plenty of space here.”

“And it will save you a few dollars, too,” Richard added.

“I’m a little more concerned with how others might view Mr. Brannon living here with me, since I’m so recent a widow—”

“Please, call me Rhett.”

“You don’t have a reputation to protect, anyway.” Richard just had to step in one more time. Did the man have no tact?

Once again Trinity’s face went completely still at Richard Hyatt’s insult.

“Richard,” Bill rumbled in warning.

But Rhett ignored his secret employer and focused entirely on Trinity. He clasped her fragile hand in his and raised it to his lips in an old-fashioned gesture. This gave him the opportunity to watch her guarded expression crack just enough, her eyes widening as his lips met her skin. He allowed only the briefest of touches before he pulled back and said, “Don’t you worry. I understand my job here, and my expertise is completely at your disposal.”

Confusion mingled with caution in her expression. Not letting his satisfaction show as she puzzled over the double meaning of his words, he went on, “You have my word that my behavior will be completely professional. The gossips would find me completely boring.”

For once, Rhett wasn’t sure that was a promise he could keep.

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