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Whatever’s going on makes my gut clench. I smell danger. Logically, I can’t imagine how Lund Junior could hurt Nia in my lobby, but my instinct warns me to get him far from her.

“Nia, would you find Sebastian and tell him to join us?”

“Of course. Do you need me there to take notes?”

Normally, I would say yes. “No. We’ll be fine. This won’t take long.”

The relief on her face is only obvious to me because I know her expressions well. “I’ll make sure your eight o’clock is waiting when you’re ready.”

Then Nia is gone. Protectively, I watch her go. I want both Lunds to know she’s off-limits.

“She seems efficient. You work well together,” Douglas observes. “How long has she reported to you?”

“Three years. Do you want to talk about my assistant or present me an offer?”

“Present an offer, of course.” Stephen walks up, suddenly all smiles, as if he wasn’t just barking up Nia’s skirt. If he senses my anger, he doesn’t let it show. “My dad has been looking for a good assistant since his last one got married and moved away a few months ago. If you’re at all amenable to us luring Nia away⁠—”

“I’m not.”

Stephen laughs. “Sorry, Dad. It was worth a try.”

Douglas gives me a bland smile, and the two exchange a look. I don’t believe them for a minute. Given how intently both stared at her, I don’t think they were interested in her efficiency.

Silently, I fume as I lead the Lunds to my office. We’ve barely made our way inside when Sebastian enters and shuts the door. After some greetings and handshakes, Douglas doesn’t let even a moment pass before he pulls a tablet from his briefcase.

“You have six minutes left.” I don’t care if I come off like a rude son of a bitch. They weren’t invited. Their manners suck, and their behavior is even more suspect.

Lund clears his throat, and I see him shoving down his temper. “I’ve gone back to our investors. We’ve crunched more numbers, and we’re able to present you an offer that includes all the protections you wanted for your employees, plus another ten million in cash.”

This is exactly the deal I’ve been waiting for. Triumph spikes. I maintain my cool facade. I can’t let my thrill show. But inside? I’ve won and I know it. The offer is above market value. The amount of cash they’re throwing at me is almost obscene. As a bonus, my employees will be taken care of, too. As presented, I have no reason not to take it.

Sitting back in my chair, I study the two men. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” Douglas assures. “But there are a couple of changes from previous offers. We’ve restructured this deal so we can offer you more cash. For that reason, we’re rescinding the clause that brings you on as COO for two years. You’re expensive.”

Since I never wanted to stay on as chief operating officer of my own company after I sold it, I’m not bothered. I’ve already been tossing around ideas for other parts of the tech sector to tackle. On the other hand, I’m talking to a group of investors, not computer engineers. If I don’t run Stratus, who will?

I frown. “All the other terms are the same?”

“Minor differences. You can’t work for a direct competitor for five years.”

That stipulation doesn’t bother me. Even if I sold out, I wouldn’t work for someone in my own industry. I’d rather have a challenge that’s totally new. “Fine.”

“In exchange for the employee protections you requested, you’ll have a two-year moratorium on hiring any of Stratus’s employees, should you organize another start-up. Additionally, in exchange for these protections, we’re going to ask all existing employees to sign employment contracts for that two-year period.”

I pause. It’s understandable they wouldn’t want me to steal away the innovators and important contributors if they’re going to assume the reins of the company. Ditto with employees wanting to leave. But their phrasing bugs me.

“I’d agree to that, provided the language specifies we’re only talking about essential personnel.”

“Define essential,” Douglas insists.

“I’m taking Nia with me.” As I say the words, I glare at Stephen. I can’t be any clearer than that.

He’s already shaking his head. “I’m afraid that clause applies to everyone. If Ms. Wright wants to resign and find another position with a different employer before the deal takes effect, of course we’ll wish her well. But we hope to have the opportunity to encourage every employee familiar with the business to stay.”

I understand Junior’s logic, but the offer I was certain I would accept two minutes ago is now something my gut tells me to reject.

Turn down over a billion dollars for a woman you don’t love who might never marry you?