Modern Romance Collection: May 2018 Books 1 - 4. Эбби Грин

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      “Why?” Sebastian’s brows drew together, his expression perplexed. “If you allowed me to buy your shares, you would be a wealthy woman. I assure you that your employment package would be commensurate with your skills and very real importance to R & D.”

      “It’s not about the money.” Kayla hadn’t really considered how she was going to explain her desire to stay partial owner of KJ Software to Sebastian Hawk.

      The idea of baring her soul to him did not appeal.

      “It’s not?” Sebastian appeared a tad disbelieving.

      “Kayla has a different attachment to the company than I do,” Andreas said. “Unlike me, she has no desire to start a new venture.”

      “You do not like change?” Sebastian was clearly still trying to understand.

      “Would you sell Hawk Enterprises?” Kayla asked instead of answering.

      Sebastian’s expression cleared, but remained serious. “No. I would not. You’re right, Kayla, sometimes it is not about the money.”

      “I’m glad you understand.”

      “I do, but I am not sure I like the idea of you retaining five-percent ownership in my subsidiary company.”

      “You’re a possessive bastard, Hawk.” Andreas didn’t sound like he was insulting the other man, despite the words he used.

      Sebastian shrugged. “Lina would agree with you.”

      “We were talking business,” Kayla felt compelled to point out.

      “It’s a deeply pervasive personality trait.” Sebastian’s lips barely twisted in recognition of his admission.

      Andreas leaned back in his chair, almost a relaxed pose, but his arms crossed and his features were cast in intractability. “You’ll have to keep it in check in this instance. Kayla wants to keep her stake in the company and knowing that, I can’t do a deal without assuring she does.”

      Sebastian’s eyes flared with surprise, but that was nothing compared to the shock coursing through Kayla’s body. She’d think Andreas was just posturing, but she knew the truth. He never said something he would not back up with action. Not in business, not in life.

      It was just that she’d never considered he would lay such a condition on him selling his 95 percent. It was all she could do to hold back her gasp of disbelief.

      Sebastian looked at Kayla, his dark gaze probing and speculative. “Some of my top employees in certain subsidiaries enjoy company stock as part of their bonus package. Nothing that would allow them anything like a five-percent stake in even a subsidiary, but I am not without understanding in how to best motivate performance.”

      “I am aware.” Andreas met Sebastian’s gaze squarely. “You want Kayla’s brains, she keeps her stake in the company.”

      That was more like the argument she had intended to make.

      “You are aware I am building up my conglomerate to have worthy companies, not simply a name to give to my children.”

      Sebastian gave a short nod. “You’re building a damn dynasty. I am aware.”

      Sebastian’s smile was wry. “Lina chose an American businessman over royalty. Our children will have a legacy worthy of such a mother.”

      Kayla shook her head. Andreas wasn’t the only business tycoon with something to prove.

      “So, we have a deal?” She pressed her hands tightly together under the table, still unable to believe after all her angst Andreas had come down so strongly on her side during this negotiation.

      Sebastian looked at her and then back at Andreas. “I have a counteroffer.”

      “What is it?” Kayla asked, unwilling to allow Andreas to continue running the meeting, no matter how successful his words might have been.

      “You sell half your five percent to Andreas.”

      “Why?” Andreas demanded.

      Kayla frowned in thought. Was 2.5 percent enough to maintain her sense of security? The money would certainly come in handy for the shelter.

      “You can consider it one of your first investments for your new venture capital company,” Sebastian said. “So long as you own skin in the game, the new CEO will have access to your brains and industry contacts. One day, you’ll be there to help mentor my children.”

      No matter how much Kayla might like the idea, Andreas would never go for that. It wasn’t part of his grand plan and he never gave up a plan once he made it.

      “Why would you need me, now or later?” Andreas asked. “Your CEO would come to you for advice, surely, and you’ll mentor your own children.”

      “I can give my children no greater gift than to assure they have access to good mentors in their lives.”

      Kayla didn’t know about Andreas, but she was touched on his behalf.

      He actually looked kind of gobsmacked. “That is quite an honor, but you know I planned to move on completely from KJ Software.”

      Kayla’s heart sank at his confirmation of what she already knew.

      “Yes, but would it really be such a burden to maintain nominal ownership in the company?”

      And Kayla suddenly realized something. Sebastian Hawk really wanted this, had probably wanted it from the beginning of his negotiations with Andreas.

      She looked at both men, realizing their arguments sounded almost rehearsed. Or rehashed. “You asked Andreas to stay on as nominal partner to begin with, but he refused.”

      “Despite his possessive attitude toward his business, he did.” Andreas sounded disgruntled. “I let him know it was not an option.”

      “Things have changed, haven’t they?” Sebastian prompted.

      “Because I’m asking for something you don’t want to give.” Kayla didn’t try to stifle her sigh of disappointment. Sebastian Hawk would rather have her as an employee than a business partner.

      Kayla wasn’t offended. She knew her strengths and they happened in the computer lab, not the conference room. That was undeniably Andreas’s forte.

      “Oh, I’m positive that under his cool demeaner, Hawk is thrilled you want to keep your ownership, pethi mou. He couldn’t be sure you wouldn’t be headhunted otherwise.”

      Kayla looked between the men. Sebastian Hawk’s expression gave nothing away. Andreas looked about as movable as a rock.

      Things were not looking good for her.

      “I can tell you that Andreas has not changed his mind about pulling out of KJ Software completely.” Kayla’s hope for a positive outcome to this meeting dwindled by the second. “I can also tell you that if you try СКАЧАТЬ