Since I Saw You (Because You Are Mine #4)(57)
Author: Beth Kery

“He’s good,” Kam said with his typical laconism.

Lin had a sinking feeling when she noticed Jason’s smirk. Kam’s brief response had clearly been precisely what Jason expected from his pompous ideas of who Kam was. Why had she ever let Ian talk her into this? Beyond the fact of Jason’s strange, competitive mood, it clearly had been a mistake. Kam was not enjoying himself any more than she was.

“I’m not so sure I can agree with such eloquent praise,” Jason said drolly, taking their drinks from a waiter’s tray and passing them around. “I’ll admit to being a bit disappointed, given all the hype over Vasquez. Otello is one of the great acting challenges in opera. Vasquez has none of the flare and fire of Bardo, for instance, wouldn’t you agree, Lin?”

“Bardo blustered his way through Otello,” Kam said harshly. Jason looked at Kam in amazement, Lin with abrupt trepidation. “Vasquez has ten times his power vocally, and despite his supposed gaucheness, is much the subtler actor. If it came to a showdown of the two men, Vasquez would demolish that strutting peacock Bardo. Excuse me,” Kam said so abruptly that Lin jumped. He turned and walked away.

Lin resisted an urge to laugh at Jason’s slack jaw. Jason looked at her with his mouth still hanging open.

“Did I say something to offend him?”

“What do you think, Jason?” she snapped. When she saw his surprise at her outburst, she inhaled and calmed herself with effort. Kam had already cut down Jason to half his size, even if Jason didn’t seem aware of his suddenly dwarfed stature. This night would not be made better by her further insulting one of Noble Enterprises’ business associates. She just wished this event were over.

“He doesn’t really like crowds,” Lin said, attempting to be neutral despite her cool tone. “He probably just went to use the facilities or to get a breath of fresh air.” She hoped what she’d said was true and that Kam hadn’t just left the opera house for good. She wouldn’t put it past him.

“He’s an odd one, isn’t he? If he didn’t look so much like Ian, I’d never believe they were related.”

Lin ignored the invitation to join in a sniping match about Kam. She sipped her champagne, thinking about the impatience on Kam’s face when he’d soundly put Jason in his place just now and walked away. Kam thought she was wasting his time, and Lin had to agree with him in this instance.

“Speaking of crowds, can we find a private place to talk?” Jason interrupted her preoccupation. “We have a few minutes before the intermission is over.”

Lin sighed. She didn’t want to talk to Jason in private, but maybe she’d better just kill this idea he had of her working for him once and for all. Besides, there were a few other things she needed to clarify with him.

“All right. But only because I’d like to hear why you’re being so rude to Kam.” Jason blinked at her bluntness, but quickly recovered.

She followed him to a deserted alcove that led to a closed-off stairwell. Jason reached for her champagne glass and set it, along with his, on the marble column at the foot of the stairs. The sounds of the crowd were muted here. Lin stiffened when he placed his hands on her upper arms.

“Why are you acting so strangely tonight?” she demanded, her irritation with him undisguised.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you before the performance began,” he said quietly. “But I think you know as well as I do that the Noble Enterprises of today is not the same company as it was yesterday.”

“You’re right,” Lin said coolly. “It’s more diverse and financially vibrant than it’s ever been.”

“Thanks to you, in large part,” Jason said, rubbing his hands up and down her bare arms. “And what have you got to show for it, Lin?”

“Jason, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—hopefully for the last time. I’m flattered by the offer, but I’m not interested in working for Klinf. Now that’s settled. Answer my question. Why are you being intentionally rude to Kam?”

His grip on her arm tightened. “Because of the two assets presented to me here tonight—Kam’s admittedly brilliant invention, which I probably can’t afford, in the endgame—and your beauty, talent, and expertise, I’d rather have you. Besides, if I play my cards right,” he murmured, “I might be able to have both.”

“What are you talking about?” she demanded, trying to step away from him. He pulled her toward him again, his grip unrelenting.

“You’ve been learning a lot about Reardon’s device, haven’t you? All that valuable firsthand experience? That’s an asset all on its own.”

Her disbelief at his audacity made her stop struggling for a moment. “You’re deluding yourself if you think I can comprehend Kam’s genius. Even if I could, I’d never divulge inside information to you.”

“Does Ian allow you to hold private shares in Noble Enterprises?” Jason asked, switching tracks smoothly. “Don’t bother to answer. I know he doesn’t. He refuses to give anyone a single share of his hoard, not even to you, despite his professed loyalty to you and his supposed inability to do business without you.”

“Noble is privately held,” Lin hissed. “I’ve never asked Ian to buy shares.”

“Because you know he wouldn’t give you the opportunity.” Lin flinched like he’d slapped her in the face, his blunt statement taking her off guard.

“Now that he has a wife and a child on the way,” Jason continued relentlessly, “he’s even less likely to release his tight grip on Noble. It’s a lost cause, Lin. All the time and sweat and tears you’ve put into that company, all your brilliance is being used by Noble to build an empire for his future family dynasty, and you’ll be even more of an outsider,” Jason murmured sadly. “If you come with me, I’ll offer you not only a salary worthy of your talents, but I’ll give you stock in Klinf. Up to ten percent, if you want it. We’ll be true partners, not some hollow partnership like Noble is tossing out like leftover scraps to you. You’ll epitomize the elegance and glamour of Klinf. The company will be stronger and more viable than ever with you by my side. I will be,” he whispered hoarsely, his dark eyes glistening with a hard edge.

Lin saw it coming, but she still cringed when he leaned down to kiss her. She swung her chin aside, avoiding his descending mouth. Could this evening be any more of a disaster? She tried to break loose and stumbled in her high heels.