Page 39 of Enchant Me

“As I told Noah, I thought this would be up your alley. You have a reputation for working with cutting edge technology in a variety of fields. Stark International is a powerhouse, and while I imagine you have people clamoring at the doors trying to get your attention, you also know quality and innovation when you see it.”

Damien grinned. “I’d say that’s a fair assessment.”

“But here’s the thing, Mr. Stark.” He paused, then leaned forward in his chair. “No.”

Damien sat back, thrown by the unexpected response. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. My answer is no.”

“I see.” Damien glanced at Jackson, who looked as baffled as he felt. “I’d be very interested in knowing why we had this meeting if my proposal doesn’t interest you. Or do you just not like the coffee I served?”

“It was good coffee. The cream was great, too. Heavy cream. Lots of places only have those little plastic cups. Or that powdered crap. No, you know how to treat a guest right, Mr. Stark. Other than that, though….”

Ashton shrugged. “Well, you’re a man who puts a good face out there for the world, but that’s not who you are at the core, is it?”

Damien stiffened, his eyes focused on this man, who seemed to have grown horns right in front of him. “Do you have a personal grudge against me, Mr. Stone?”

Ashton looked straight at Damien. “You know exactly what I have against you, Mr. Stark. So don’t think you can play games with me. I know everything. Every. Fucking. Thing.”

“I see,” Damien said, though he didn’t see at all. “Then can you tell me why this meeting was even necessary?”

Ashton shrugged. “You’re a man who gets what he wants. You always have been. Your tennis trophies. Your pretty wife. Your beautiful house, gorgeous kids, and all your pretty, pretty properties.” He sat back, then cracked his fingers. “That’s all fine. They’re yours. Keep them. Enjoy them. But there are two things you won’t have. My technology and me.”

A cold fury had been swirling through Damien, as the pieces started to fall into place. “Were the notes not enough?” he asked, his voice low and harsh and dangerous.

He saw Jackson’s eyes widen, and Noah’s and Preston’s confused expressions. “The threats? You decided that you had to come here in person? Is this the end game or are we only just beginning?”

Ashton sat back, his face an unreadable mask. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

“Don’t you?”

Ashton stood, then turned his attention to the other three men in the room. “It was a pleasure to meet you all and to see you again, Noah. Mr. Stark, all I can say is that you were an experience. I’ll show myself out.”

And then he turned, walked to the double doors, and pulled one open. He disappeared into the waiting area without even a backward glance.

“What the hell was that?” Jackson asked as the door clicked shut.

Preston rose. “I’m going to go after him. See if I can ... I don’t know ... figure out what’s going on, I guess.”

“Suit yourself,” Damien said. “But I don’t think you’ll learn anything. Other than that he really does not want to work with me.”

“What grudge does he have against you?” Preston asked, and Damien shook his head.

He looked to Noah. “This meeting came through you. Did he ever say anything that might explain what happened today?”

Noah shook his head, looking clueless. “He seemed excited to meet you.”

“I have no doubt that he was. He wanted the chance to spit in my face.”

“Yeah, I’ll have to say you’re right on that,” Noah agreed. “But why?”

Damien looked at Jackson who had his head cocked. “You need to call Ryan. Considering everything that’s been going on, he may want to tail this guy.”

Noah and Preston exchanged glances. “I think that’s our cue to leave,” Noah said. “Damien, I don’t understand what’s going on, but I’m sorry. If there’s anything you need us to do, just let us know.”

“It will be fine. Surreal, but fine.” He shifted his attention to Preston. “I don’t know who you’ve talked about in the department about this meeting, but the official word is that we’re in a wait-and-see mode.”

“Of course. What happened in this room won’t leave it.”