Chapter 16

Callum's Pov

I stared at Taryn, thinking of the best ways that fucking rip his head off his shoulders. But I knew that I couldn’t do that. Mark would blow a fuse if he heard that I had attacked Taryn.

And truthfully, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to him give me lectures on how to treat people. “What are you doing here, Taryn?” I asked, trying to keep my anger at bay.

He grinned, his eyes looking around the office. “You know, I miss having these...”

“Taryn, I am sure you didn’t drive all the way from your office to mine, just to tell me you miss me?” I snapped, my patience already wearing thin.

He laughed. “Are you always this cynical?” he asked.

I balled my fists under the table, keeping my breath at an even pace, anything to stop thinking about having to punch the smug bastard in front of me. He cleared his throat, smirking at me as if he heard my thought. “Okay. I need a favour from you.”

I cocked my brows; Taryn needed my help? That was something I didn’t see coming. “What do you want, Taryn?” I asked.

I was going to turn him away; I just needed him to get it off his chest.

“I am looking into expanding into the East Coast, but there are restrictions that my company hasn’t met up with...”

“And you want me to...” I dragged out the words, waiting for him to say what I already knew he would say.

“If we have a merger, something that shows your dynasty and mine are in collaboration, I believe that I can have this deal signed. We can work together until I finally buy out your side of the deal.”

I rubbed my jaw as I stared at him. He was bold, crazy bold, to think this was how things worked. “And what makes you think I wouldn’t just take the business for myself?” I asked, images of him laughing with Wren flashing through my mind.

“You wouldn’t,” he grinned. “You don’t like the hassle that comes with tussling hotel deals.”

I leaned into the table, watching his expression. “Do you really think that I wouldn’t enjoy taking this from you?”

His eyes darkened; I could see that challenge in his eyes. “You wouldn’t want to do that.” he had that sly grin spread across his lips.

“I wouldn’t?”

“My father wouldn’t have gone into business with you if you weren’t a straightforward man.”

“But you aren’t.” I pointed out. There were stories, truths about the kind of man that Taryn was; missing contractors, insider trading, the kind of things that I didn’t want to go in contact with.

“My father and I share different values on work ethics. He has been stuck in the old ways, and all I am thinking about is making sure that I move the company forward.”

“Nothing is wrong with how he had run his company,” I said in a low tone.

He nodded. “Nothing was wrong. But it wasn’t moving.”

Men like Taryn made the business world feel like a big pond of sharks. ‘Aren’t you doing the same thing with Wren?’ my conscience pricked at the back of my mind. I shook my head. That was different; her family owed me, and she was paying back everything.

“What do you say, Callum? Are we getting into his business?” he asked.

“No.”

“No?”

“No. I don’t want my name and yours in the same place.”

His smile wore off. “I really hoped we wouldn’t have to do this.”

I cocked my brows. “Do what?”

“Be enemies. We have been friends...”

“I was friends with your father. We were never friends, Taryn.”

He stood to his feet. “Very well, Callum. It was a pleasure doing business with you.” he paused by the door. “Your personal assistant. You won’t mind if I take her out on a date, do you?”

I gritted my teeth, keeping back from lashing out at him. “I am sorry, Taryn.” I gave him my best smile. “Ms Wren is engaged.”

His brows furrowed. “Engaged? Huh.” he touched his chin. “I don’t think I saw a ring on her finger.”

“Have a nice day, Taryn.”

The door opened; Mark walked in with a smile on his face. “Taryn, didn’t know I would be seeing you here.”

“Was just leaving.” he walked past him through the door.

Mark stared at me. “Do I want to know what that was about?”

I shook my head. “Nothing to sweat over. He is just throwing one of his few tantrums.”

He hummed. “You know you shouldn’t undermine his tantrum.”

I did. “What do you have for me, Mark?” I asked.

“Patricia was last seen in Santorini. I doubt she is meeting Anderson there.” I nodded along to the information.

“Has she made any contact with Wren or her sister?” I asked.

“No. Her sister has been unresponsive...”

“So, that leaves Wren as the only person they would contact.” I completed his words.

“And they haven’t.”

“Why would she leave her? Thought parents are meant to save their kids?”

He shrugged. “Greedy people do greedy shit. She saw the money, and I guess she wanted to have a life.”

“And her kids? Shouldn't they have a life?”

He narrowed his gaze. “What is going through your head?”

“Find out everything that you can about her sister. I need her to be taken to a good hospital. I don’t care the cost.”

Mark huffed. “I didn’t know you had increased my job description.”

“Well, you spent more time here than at your firm; I guess I have to put you to good use.”

He let out a laugh. “What are you going to do with Wren? 20 years is a long time; what happens when you get bored?”

I stared at him; I understood his question and worry. But there was something about Wren that made it nearly impossible for me to get bored.

“What if I don’t get bored?”

“Don’t hurt her. She has been through it.”

“Not planning to.”