One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1) (6 page)

She sighed. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Don’t say no,” he begged. “Try to consider the possibilities.”

“Ren…”

He put a finger over her lips. “Don’t say it.”

She stayed silent. He sent up a silent prayer that she’d see reason over time. Dani was too important to him. Ren had to convince her to try.

“I have tickets to a fundraiser for the hospital. I’d like you to go with me.”

She shook her head. “It’s not a good idea.”

He wouldn’t let her say no. “Think about it. It’s in a few days. I’ll call you and ask again later.”

Ren rushed out of the office before she could say no. Dani would be a tough nut to crack, but he was up for the challenge. If he left her alone to think things over she might come around. If she required time, he could give it to her. He’d waited this long, so he could hold out for a little while longer. She was worth it.

Chapter Seven

Dani studied the legal documents sitting on her desk. How was she supposed to think after what happened with Ren? He’d left her a bumbling mess of emotions. The kiss… Oh hell, Ren kissed her, really did, not something she’d imagined. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers across her lips. This was uncharted territory. Something she’d never in a million years believed would happen. The next move was hers, and she had no clue what it should be. He left the ball in her court and waited for her to decide if she wanted him.

Oh lord, did she ever…

She’d wanted him her whole life. Now that she had a chance, she was afraid she’d fuck it up. The idea of having something more with Ren terrified her in ways nothing else had. If it didn’t last and it ruined something between them—she shook her head. That was her old way of thinking. When they were teenagers, she refused to be anything but friends with him for that very reason. The thought of losing him scared her. So she put up those walls to protect herself. It was too easy to fall back into that line of thought.

The reality of losing Ren was something she was painfully familiar with. She’d walked away and didn’t look back. A life without him was her new normal. So she had to ask herself what she was really afraid of. She’d left him behind a long time ago, and she could live without him in her day to day life. Dani had managed to do it fairly well over the past decade. If she had to, she could go on and be all right without him, but she didn’t want to. She never had.

Jessica had either lied to her or she’d miscarried and never told Ren. If she had to choose between those two options, she’d pick lied. It didn’t seem likely she’d have been pregnant and miscarried. Ren had only mentioned the one pregnancy which didn’t line up with what Jessica claimed back in high school. That was ten years ago, not two. She’d been jealous of Dani’s relationship with Ren. Jessica saw a way to get her out of the way and took it. When she got the chance she was going to confront the other woman. She wanted answers, and she deserved to know the truth. She’d left on the assumption Ren and Jessica were about to become parents. She hadn’t wanted to distract Ren from his new responsibilities. If she’d been a fool—well there was no turning back. There was no undoing the past. It would help her make a decision about her future though. She might be able to have it all if she wasn’t too afraid to reach out and take it. The hard truth smacked her in the face. It wasn’t losing him that scared her anymore. It was having him; all the promises of a wonderful future, and then having it ripped away from her. If she opened her heart to that possibility only to lose it—what if those dreams didn’t live up to her expectations? What if the reality was subpar to her fantasies? Would Ren be enough then?

Dani dropped her head into the palm of her hands and sighed. The bigger question was, what the hell was wrong with her? Why did she have to overthink every little detail in her life? For once, why couldn’t she take a chance and see how something went. Because this was one of the biggest decisions she’d ever have to make in her life. Allowing herself to openly love Ren and accept she could be happy with him…that was daunting.  If they failed, it would break her, but if they didn’t—pure bliss would be the beginning of something more wonderful than she could ever imagine.

She took a deep breath and pushed her worries out of her mind. A decision didn’t need to be made yet. Ren told her to keep an open mind. He wanted to get to know her all over again. Maybe she could do that and see where it led them. She did want to know him again and discover how he might have changed over the years. He was far from the boy she remembered. Still handsome, only he had the ability to turn her insides to mush.

“Ms. Brosen?”

Dani lifted her head from her hands and stared into Claire’s eyes. “Yes?”

“Sorry to interrupt you, but Mr. Nettles is on line one.”

Finally. The phone tag they’d been playing had become rather tedious. She had to put the man at ease. She had no idea why their permits were being blocked, but she intended to find out why. Mr. Nettles had some of the pertinent information she needed to figure everything out. She couldn’t proceed until they had a conversation.

She picked up the phone and clicked the button for line one. With the receiver nestled between her shoulder and ear she said, “This is Ms. Brosen.”

“It’s about damn time. What kind of shady business are you running over there? You should’ve gotten back to me days ago.”

Dani gritted her teeth. Mr. Nettles had always been an ass, but this was an all new level of assery, even for him. She silently reminded herself he was one of their most important clients. His business helped keep the firm afloat. She couldn’t afford to piss him off.

“I apologize for not handling your concerns sooner. It’s been crazy here for a few days. I’m not sure you’re aware that Mr. Price was in an accident and was hospitalized.” She didn’t think for one moment Mr. Nettles would care, but had to give him something. “I’m going to take over your case until he’s well enough to do so. Could you fill me in on what’s happening?” Matt usually handled Mr. Nettles. He was a misogynistic pig and didn’t think females had enough brains to take care of anything important.

“That’s unacceptable,” he shouted through the receiver. “When is he going to be out of the hospital? I don’t have time for you to mess up while he’s laid up.”

Someone needed to punch the man in the face. Why someone hadn’t already done so was a mystery to her. She took a deep breath and reminded herself they needed his business. Especially with Matt’s medical bills to consider—they’d never be able to afford them if they lost the Nettles account.

“Again, I’m sorry,” she said firmly. “Mr. Price will be unavailable for the unforeseeable future. I assure you I’m more than qualified to handle your account. So, please, tell me what the issue is exactly so I can begin working on it.”

She prayed he’d quit being difficult. His stubbornness might be his undoing. How Matt was able to deal with him on a regular basis, she didn’t know. She’d have to get him an extra big Christmas present for this alone.

“
Hmmph
.” A sound filled her ears. “We’ll see how much you think you can do. If you fail, I’m going to have to seek out another attorney.”

Thank heavens. He was going to see reason. “Thank you for the opportunity,” she said sweetly, swallowing back a gag.
Prick
. “Now, if you’ll explain what the issue is?”

“It’s that damn Sullivan Brady,” he cursed. “He can’t mind his own fucking business. The bastard has too much time on his hands if he can snoop into my life as much as he does. You have to put an injunction or something on him. He’s the one blocking my permits.”

Sullivan Brady? Who the hell was that? She’d never heard of him. “Why do you believe that?”

The more information she had, the more she’d have to work with. Since Mr. Nettles had no problems complaining about the man he believed responsible, she’d let him ramble on.

“He hates me. Always has. I don’t know why.”

She almost snorted. Did he not realize what a cantankerous dick he was? When she was bitchy, she was all too aware of it. The problem was she was unable to stop herself from spilling the poisonous babble from her mouth. Mr. Nettles must not be in tune with his own inner demons not to realize it. Dani was grateful she didn’t work under similar illusions. She had plenty of demons as it was.

“There must be something you can think of.”
Did you offend him by opening your mouth and speaking?
“How long have you known him?”

“None of that matters. Do what I asked and get him to stop blocking the damn permits. Do the job I hired you to do.”

Money. Need money,
she reminded herself. She took a deep breath. “Without more information, I don’t have much to go on. I’ll do my best and handle it.”

She sure hoped she’d be able to do as she told him. They needed his account. How she was going to obtain the information needed she didn’t know, but she had faith she’d find a way. She always managed to. It was a matter of knowing the right people.

“You better. Don’t call me until you have good news.”

A dial tone filled her ear. She breathed a sigh of relief the call was over. If she’d stayed on the phone with him even a moment longer she may have said something she’d come to regret. Mr. Nettles was a jerk. Dani hated dealing with him.

She picked up the phone again and dialed Claire’s line.

“Yes, Ms. Brosen?” Claire’s voice filled her ears.

“Come to my office please. Bring the Nettles file.”

“Give me a moment and I’ll be right there.”

Dani set the phone down and waited for Claire to arrive. She had a special job for her assistant. Maybe even Amy could help with it. The best assistants knew their bosses’ schedules. She needed as much information she could get on both Mr. Nettles and this Sullivan Brady. He was an unknown element. Mr. Nettles, she at least had something to go on. Almost everyone knew how difficult he was.

“I have the file. What do you need me to do?” Claire asked as she bustled into the room.

“Have a seat. There are several things I need you to work on.”

Claire sat down. Dani filled her in on the details of her phone call with Mr. Nettles.

“Did you say Sullivan Brady?”

Dani frowned. “Yes, are you familiar with him?”

How could her assistant know who he was and she didn’t? What was she missing?

“The question is how could you
not
know who he is? He’s a billionaire, drop dead gorgeous, and his pretty face graces the society pages on a regular basis.”

Well, that explained it. She couldn’t be bothered with high society. They were all a bunch of hypocritical snobs in her opinion. There were more important things to do than show up to charity events and be seen by the world. That’s why most of them went. They only wanted to show their money off to the world.
“Look at all these good deeds I’m participating in.”

“A billionaire you said. What does he do?” That was information she could use. “Is he a businessman of some sort?”

“His family is old money. They own Brady-Blue International.”

Dani had heard of that particular company. She’d hadn’t made the connection. Brady was a rather common name. How was she to know he was part of the famous family chock full of philanthropists and do-gooders?

“Hmm.” She glanced up at Claire. “How do you feel about digging up some details on Mr. Brady?”

Claire grinned. “Please tell me you want me to go out on a date with him.” She fanned herself. “That man has pure sin pouring off his face. I bet he’s amazing in bed.”

Dani’s mouth dropped open. “I thought you were in love with Matt!”

“Oh, I am, but Sullivan Brady’s so pretty. A girl can have a crush can’t she?” She sighed. “I wouldn’t mind having him for one night. You know, to remember when I’m old and gray.”

Dani shook her head and smiled. There was only one man she’d had such a crush on. She could relate on a small level. “I don’t know what he looks like, so I don’t know if I agree with your assessment.”

Claire studied Dani. She tilted her head and frowned. “Actually, you kind of look similar to him.” She held up a hand. “I’m not saying you look masculine. But you have similar coloring. His hair is almost the exact shade as yours, pitch black and slightly curly. It’s the eyes though that are the most comparable. I’ve never seen a shade of green so eerily alike. It’s too bad you’re not part of that family. They’re so rich they probably don’t know what to do with all that money.”

Dani frowned. Claire didn’t know she was an orphan. Well, she liked to think herself as one. She didn’t know who her biological parents were. She’d been dropped off at a church on the other side of the state. It was as far away from Envill as possible. It was a nice thought, but she wasn’t related to anyone in the Brady family. She didn’t belong anywhere. At first it had bothered her, but she’d grown used to it over the years. It’d made her strong and resilient. Dani was independent and glad for it. Yes, she had Matt if she needed someone, but it was nice to not have to rely on anyone if she didn’t have to.

She smiled. “Go get cozy with someone who’ll know Sullivan Brady’s social schedule. I’d like to arrange an informal meeting. Enlist Amy’s help if you need it. I want to know as much as possible before I act.”

“I’m on it. I’ll come by to fill you in after I gather the information. I can tell you one thing now though.”

Dani raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Claire reached under her files and pulled out a newspaper. She flipped through it until she found what she was looking for and handed her the society section of the Envill Post. “I was taking a break and looking at the paper before you called me to your office. I like to see what’s going on in our community.” A picture of one of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen graced the top of the page. Her assistant had been right. Sullivan Brady was indeed beautiful. Underneath it was an article about a charity event his family was hosting. It was for the new pediatric wing of Envill East.

“You can find him here if you’re willing to go to one of those tedious fundraising events you hate so much.” Claire smiled. “You might even know a handsome doctor willing to take you.”

Damn it, Ren had mentioned a fundraiser. It had to be the same event. She would have to call him and agree to go. She sighed. He’d take it to mean more than she was willing to accede to. If she played it right, she might still be able to get him to go slow. Dani wasn’t ready to jump into anything yet.