The Billionaire's Marriage Contract(2)

“Ok, how about Senator Whitman?”

“What do you think his major flaw is?” Amy asked.

“I don’t think he has one,” Callie shot back.

“He does. Besides, you can’t trust a man without one big flaw,” Amy said, “because a man who says he has no major flaws is lying to you. And you can’t rely on a man with more than one. More than one flaw, and he can’t get out of his own way. One flaw: find it and help the client hide it, and you’re good.”

“Do you really believe that?” Callie asked.

“I’ve been doing this for long enough to know that for most men their flaw is women. For some it’s alcohol, for other’s it’s a lust for power or a need to always win.”

“What about a woman?” Callie asked. “Does the same rule apply?”

“What are you getting at?”

“What do you think my flaw is?”

Amy looked at Callie. If there ever was a flawless woman, Callie was it. She was beautiful, whip-smart, funny, kind, one hell of an employee, and she was strangely protective of Amy even though she was her younger sibling by several years. “You’re too trusting,” Amy replied, “and in this business you can’t trust anyone.”

“Even the clients?”

“Especially the clients.” Amy decided to let that thought sink in for a while before moving on with business. She had learned that lesson the hard way, and if Callie wanted to take on a bigger role in the company, she’d have to take that idea to heart. Amy let out a long sigh and said, “We work with men who get themselves into trouble. They’re all powerful and wealthy, and they like to get their way. Your senator is no exception. He’ll lie to you on the call, and Rich will look into him. He’ll find out whatever we need to know.”

“What about Ethan Cole?”

“Why do you keep asking about Ethan Cole?”

“He’s on line one. I came in your office to tell you he had called.”

“Very funny. I already told you, I handed him off to Rich years ago.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you. He’s on line one. He said he had to talk with you. He said it was urgent.”

“You’re telling me that Ethan Cole, one of the busiest and most influential men in the world, has been waiting on hold for the past ten minutes with an urgent call while we’ve been chatting?”

“Should I tell him you have a call with Senator Whitman?”

“Why in the world didn’t you tell me about this the minute you walked in the door?” Amy watched the wry smile on her sister’s face and realized she had been played. “You knew I couldn’t take both calls at once, didn’t you?”

“I have no comment on that matter,” Callie replied.

“Maybe you are ready.” Amy didn’t know whether she should be angry at her sister or proud of her for making such a deft move. “Get Rich or Laura on the call with you, and don’t make me regret this decision. If Ethan really is on the line, and if I don’t kill you for keeping him on hold, we’re going to have to have a talk at some point soon. Now go, take the other call.”

“Really?” Callie ran over and hugged Amy. “You won’t regret this. I promise!”

As soon as Callie left the office, Amy turned her attention back to the phone. Why in the world was Ethan Cole calling her?

Amy thought back to the last time she had seen Ethan. She could remember the way his collar was slightly open, and she could remember the cool musk of his cologne. It had been years since they had been in the same room together, and years since she had handed him off to Rich and Laura. What was he doing calling directly? Amy wondered.

Amy reached down and pressed the button. As she lifted her finger, she felt a rush of excitement. No one made her nervous. That was what she told herself, but her heart was beating a mile a minute, and her palms felt warm and clammy. She listened to the silence before clearing her throat and saying, “Amy Haven.”

“Amy, it’s Ethan, how are you?” It had been a long time since Amy had heard his low, smooth voice.

“Confused. To what do I owe the pleasure? A direct call from Ethan Cole, you must really need my help.”#p#分页标题#e#

“I do.”

“What did you do this time? Is someone pregnant?”

“Not yet,” Ethan said. Amy just knew he was grinning on the other end of the line.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Dinner,” he replied. “Tonight.”

“You know the rules, Ethan. I don’t socialize with clients.”