The Tycoon's Secret(44)

Damien could appreciate a guy who didn't beat around the bush, coming straight to the point. It was how he did business, as well. He did have to be careful with his answers, though. He didn't need the Anderson men to know who he really was. He'd been careful through the years not to run into them while he did business. He wanted to meet them when he was ready for it, and not a moment before. He had to be in complete control.

"I'm doing business with her father. I wanted her to work for me." Damien's best option was to keep his answers as short and to the point as possible. He also needed to sneak in a few of his own questions.

"Why?" Lucas asked.

"Why, what?" Damien responded.

"You're a smart guy, Damien. You don't mind if I call you by your first name, do you? I get real tired of formality, especially in my cousin's house." When Damien nodded his assent begrudgingly, Lucas continued. "Why would you be doing business with Monroe? It's well-known he's losing his shirt right now for some incredibly poor choices. There may even be criminal charges filed on him soon, ranging from tax fraud, to downright bad business practices. The guy has more sexual harassment complaints on him than anyone I know."

"I have my reasons and they're my own business," Damien said, his tone clearly making it known the topic wasn't up for discussion.

"You having Sierra work for you, especially when she doesn't even understand why, makes it our business," Chad said, stepping closer to Damien with his eyes narrowing.

"Look Chad, I don't mind having a little chat with you and the in-laws in which you felt the need to bring out in force today, but I won't discuss my business practices," Damien said, not backing down a single inch.

He thought he saw a small flash of respect in Chad's eyes, but the man quickly masked the emotion.

"Look Damien, first of all, we were having a family gathering. I had no idea you were showing up on my front porch, so I didn't know I needed reinforcement, unless there's something else to this situation. Secondly, if you hurt Sierra, then my wife is going to be furious and demand your balls on a silver platter. I'm trying to avoid all that by finding out exactly what your intentions are. Sierra …  well, she's not like the rest of her family. She's a great gal, who's had some hard knocks in life. I don't want to see her get any more of them."

"Duly noted," Damien snapped. Then, with a sigh, he decided to give them something, though he said it through gritted teeth. "I like her, okay?"

The men stared at him for several moments, as if they were assessing him, seeing if he were speaking the truth. The reality was that he liked her more than he should. He had no business feeling anything for her. She should be nothing more than a tool, another pawn in his game of revenge. That was long out the window, though. He wanted to see her. He was still angry she'd managed to get away from him so easily. He'd make sure it didn't happen again. He'd make sure she knew better than to run from him.

"Well then, I guess we can all relax," Chad said as he smiled. Damien didn't like the knowing look on the man's face  –  not one little bit.

Chapter Eighteen

"Let's go out back," Trenton said as he grabbed his own bottle of beer and moved toward the den's door.

Damien didn't hesitate. He followed behind his cousin, and then realized he hadn't asked one single question of any of the Andersons. How was he supposed to get information if he wasn't even thinking about interrogation? The only person he seemed to want to interrogate was Sierra. He vowed to himself he'd just make sure she was really there, then he'd focus on his "family."




 

 

As they neared the back of the house, delicious aroma's started drifting through the room, reminding Damien he hadn't eaten in twenty-four hours. He'd been in too much of a hurry to get back home, and exhaustion had pulled him under on the long jet ride. Then, stress had prevented him from eating much once he arrived at his house and waited to see Sierra. His stomach rumbled loudly at the smells surrounding him.

"The girl's all cooking together has that effect on me, too," Austin said as he patted Damien on the back. The friendly gesture threw him for a moment.

If these men were anyone else besides the sons of the men who'd killed his father, he might find himself enjoying their company, actually wanting to be around them. He pulled away, sending a "don't touch" signal for Austin and the rest of the men. Damien missed the look Austin sent the other men in the room. His signal had been read loud and clear.

"You picked a good day to show up. The weather's good, and we're getting ready to barbecue in a few minutes. Bree and the rest of the girls have been making side dishes for a couple hours. They wouldn't let us sneak into anything either, so I'm starving," Max said as he picked up his pace and passed the rest of them.