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Nia crosses her arms over her chest. “He’s a busy man with many priorities. Would you like his next available appointment?”

“I need to see him today. I have something he’ll want to see, I guarantee it. I suggest you find him. If he misses this opportunity, he won’t be happy. And I’d hate to see you out of a job.”

Is that asshole threatening her?

“I’d hate to lose my job, too, Mr. Lund, which is why I won’t be disturbing him for your unscheduled appearance. You’ll have to make an appointment. If December fifth doesn’t work⁠—”

“It doesn’t,” Lund growls and begins to lean into her personal space.

“Do we have a problem here?” I speak up from the door on the far side of the room.

She raises her chin. “Everything is fine. I’m just explaining to Mr. Lund that you’re unable to see him today.”

“I have a final, very lucrative offer for you, Cook. I came to present it in person and pitch to you all the reasons you should take Colossus Investment Corporation seriously.”

His pompous shit annoys me. But it’s business and it’s money. I didn’t get where I am by being pigheaded, closed-minded, and illogical. If he’s come all this way and is barging into my lobby insistently, I bet he’s finally going to give me an offer I can take.

I glance at Nia. She’s come to the same conclusion. But I see that stubborn set of her chin. She doesn’t care about the offer; she doesn’t want me to sell.

As much as I hate putting any more breeze in this windbag’s sails, I nod at Lund. “You have ten minutes. Follow me. Nia, can you call my eight a.m. and tell him I’m running late?”

She presses her lips together in displeasure but nods. “I’ll take care of it.”

As I march toward my office, I presume Lund and his lackey are following.

An unfamiliar voice stops me. “Nia, is it?”

When I turn, Lund’s sidekick eyes her openly and speculatively.

She draws up and lifts her chin. “Yes. Can I help you with something?”

“I…I, um, was wondering if you could point me to the restroom.”

This dude is in his mid-thirties, tall, and seemingly suave with his blond hair and movie-star blue eyes. And he can’t hold his bladder for ten minutes?

“On the far end of the lobby, past the water feature, and to your left.” She points to the little alcove.

“Thanks.” He says the word, but he still doesn’t move or take his eyes off of her.

I don’t like it. And I don’t like him.

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m Stephen Lund.” He holds out his hand.

What the hell? This must be Douglas’s son and golden boy, and he’s decided to flirt with Nia? He’d better not be looking for an opening to ask her out. If he is, I’ll shut the son of a bitch down and throw him out.

Maybe Stephen is the kind of guy who’s capable of telling Nia he loves her.

I push the thought aside.

Slowly, she fits her hand into his. “Nia Wright. Do you need coffee?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

She looks as baffled by their odd interaction as I am.

I turn to regard Douglas Lund, expecting impatience. Instead, he’s watching the pair of them carefully. He must be an excellent poker player because I have absolutely no idea what he’s thinking.