Brandon wasnt sure hed ever be able to forgive himself for that.
But doing well by Stones was one way to atone for what hed done. Hed worked hard and learned fast, and the company was going from strength to strength. But it still wasnt enough to assuage the guilt.
Im sorry, Sammy, he said quietly. Im sorry I was such an immature, selfish brat. And I really wish you were still here. For so many reasons. Sure, Brandon would still have been working in the family business by this point in his careerbut Sam wouldve been at the helm of the company, where he belonged. Nobody wouldve doubted Sams managerial abilities. And their uncle Eric wouldnt have been scrutinising
Sams every move, waiting for an opportunity to criticise.
He shook himself. Eric was just disappointed because he thought that he should be heading up the business. Brandon needed to find him a different role, one that would make him happy and feel that he had a say in things. If Brandon could bring McKenzies into the fold, then maybe Eric could take charge there.
Getting Angel McKenzie to sell to him was definitely his priority now. Whatever the personal cost.
He rang her office to set up a meeting.
Im afraid Ms McKenzies diary is full for the next month, the voice on the other end of the line informed him, with the clear implication that it would be full for the month after, too, and the month after that.
Like hell it was.
Clearly Angel had anticipated his next move, and had briefed her PA to refuse to book any meetings with him.
Maybe you could email her instead, the PA suggested sweetly.
Any email would no doubt find its way straight into her trash box. Ill do that. Thank you, Brandon said. Though he had no intention of sending an email. Hed try something else entirely. When hed replaced the receiver, he went to talk to his own PA. Gina, I need everything you can find about Angel McKenzie, please, he said. Her CV, what she likes doing, who she dates.
If youre interested in her, sweetie, shouldnt you be looking up that sort of thing for yourself? Gina asked.
Oh, the joys of inheriting a PA whod known you since you were a baby and was best friends with your mum, Brandon thought. Im not interested in dating her, he said. This is work. Angel McKenzie. He emphasised the surname, in case shed just blocked it out.
Gina winced. Ah. Those McKenzies.
I already know the business data, he said. Now I need to know the personal stuff.
This sounds as if its going to end in tears, Gina warned.
Its not. Its about knowing who youre doing business with and being prepared. And Id prefer you not to mention any of this to Mum, Dad or Eric, please. OK?
Yes, Mr Bond. Ill keep it top secret, Gina drawled.
Brandon groaned. Bonds PAs used to sigh with longing, flutter their eyelashes and do exactly what he asked.
Bond didnt have a PA. He flirted with everyone elses PAs. And you cant flirt with someone who changed your nappy, Gina retorted.
Brandon knew when he was beaten. Ill make the coffee. Skinny latte with half a spoonful of sweetener, right?
She grinned. Thats my boy.
Youre supposed to respect your boss, he grumbled, only half teasing.
I do respect you, sweetie. But I also think youre about to do something stupid. And your mum
Would never forgive you for letting me go right ahead, Brandon finished. Hed heard that line from her quite a few times over the years. The worst thing was that she was usually right.
He made the coffee, then buried himself in paperwork.
Gina came in an hour later. One dossier, as requested, she said, and put the buff-coloured folder on his desk.
Shed also printed a label for the folder, with the words Top Sekrit! typed in red ink and in a font that resembled a toddlers scrawled handwriting.
Youve made your point, he said. She thought he was behaving like a three-year-old.
Good. I hope youre listening.
Given that Gina was one of the few people in the company whod actually batted his corner when hed first taken over from his father, he couldnt be angry with her. He knew she had his best interests at heart.
There arent going to be any tears at the end of this, he said gently. I promise.
Good. Because I worry about you almost as much as your mum does.
I know. And I appreciate it. He reached over to squeeze her hand, hoping he wasnt about to get the lecture regarding it being time he stopped playing the field and settled down. Because that didnt figure in his plans, either. How could he ever settle down and have a family, knowing hed taken that opportunity away from his brother? He didnt deserve that kind of future. Which meant his focus was strictly on the business. Thanks, Gina.
Ive emailed it to you as well, she said. Dont do anything stupid.
I wont.
The top of the file contained a photograph. Angel McKenzie looked like every other generic businesswoman, dressed in a well-cut dark suit teamed with a plain white shirt buttoned up to the neck, and her dark hair cut in a neat bob.
But her eyes were arresting.
Violet blue.
Brandon shook himself. An irrelevant detail. He wasnt intending to date her.