Twisted Lies (Dirty Secrets) (11 page)

“Is this an office or a high-security prison?” I mumbled under my breath.

I walked down a long hallway, passing by a massive glass conference room. My sway became deliberately more sensual when I noticed a striking woman sitting behind a large desk, scrutinizing me with frank disapproval. She scanned my outfit of skintight leather leggings paired with a black T-shirt and tailored jacket. I didn’t give a shit. I had plenty of appropriate business attire, but I’d promised myself years ago that I wouldn’t dress or act a certain way to please anyone but myself. I kept it real. If Mr. Steele didn’t like it, he could kiss my ass.

I stopped before her desk. “I’m here to see Ram Steele.”

“Have a seat, Ms. Michaels,” she responded with a British accent.

Giving her a cold smile, I responded with, “Thanks, but I’ll stand.”

“Your prerogative.” She huffed.

Just to get under her skin, I swayed over to the cushy chairs, making sure that my ridiculously high stilettos tapped loudly on the marble floor.

“Shh!” she snapped with an admonishing glare.

I snickered.
What an uptight wench.
I could just imagine what Mr. Steele was like. He was probably some uptight billionaire who was so old that his bones cracked when he walked.

My head snapped in the direction of the huge office door that had just opened. My eyes widened at the sight of the tall, lean, and exceedingly handsome man striding toward me.

Jesus, he’s hot enough to make panties melt.

He curiously tilted his head as he coldly greeted me. “Please come in, Ms. Michaels. Mr. McKay is waiting.”

I recognized his voice—Ram Steele. I quirked a brow. “What’s going on?”

Silently, he motioned me to enter the office.

“I asked you a question, Mr. Steele,” I snapped.

Mr. Steele heaved a longsuffering sigh before pressing a gentle hand against the middle of my back, nudging me into the office. “Ms. Michaels, a word of advice—if I were you, I would play nice with him. He’s in a real fucked-up mood today,” he said, his voice clipped, before closing the door with a decisive click behind him.

Play nice?

Not a damn chance.

I was ready for a fight. Squaring my shoulders, my eyes were drawn to a man in a tailored business suit, standing with his hands clasped behind his back as he looked out the window. His large muscular frame would have intimidated anyone, but I refused to be cowed by him. Taking a calming deep breath, I walked toward the middle of the room and stopped.

“Sinthia Michaels,” he said in a low-pitched voice that sent delicious chills down my spine. “Have you brought my money?” he asked in a gravelly voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

My mouth opened and shut, not believing what he’d just asked. “Money? What money?”

He turned from the window and looked straight at me. I nearly swallowed my tongue. It was the man from last night.

“You’re Core McKay?” I took a step forward, compelled by the invisible string drawing me to him.

His gaze was intimidating and unrelenting. “Good to see you again, Ms. Michaels.” His booming deep voice resonated throughout the office. “Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”

His eyes traveled from the top of my head and down my curvy body. His predatory stare made me feel like a mouse beneath the bloodthirsty gaze of a cat. In the light of day, he was even more fucking menacing. His body was pure rippling muscle—not work-out-five-days-a-week-at-the-gym buff, but more like the MMA, fucking-kick-motherfucker’s-asses-just-for-the-fun-of-it buff. His stark features blended well with his chiseled cheekbones and painfully hard jaw. But it was his searing grey eyes that told the story. Core McKay was not a man to fuck with.

I hesitated, but I needed to get my bearing before I passed out from stress. “Fine,” I conceded, taking a seat. “Listen, I’m going to cut to the fucking chase,” I said. “Why the fuck am I here?”

He regarded me for a long time and then sat in the chair behind his mammoth desk. He smoothed the sleeves of his tailored shirt before running a hand across his blunt-cut midnight-black hair. “Unfortunately, some disturbing information has recently come to my attention, and it makes me question your ability to make me a profit.” His words were civil, but his eyes were hard as granite.

Oh, hell no!
There is no way in hell I’m going to let him punk me like I’m some prison-yard bitch.

In a gesture of defiance, I raised my chin and met his gaze. “No offense, Mr. McKay, but my business deal is with MK Partners.”

He actually smirked like he found me mildly amusing.

My eyes widened when it dawned on me.
Motherfucker!

“Yes, Ms. Michaels, MK Partners is my investment company,” he drawled.

I shook my head.
Oh shit! Please say it’s not true.
My throat went completely dry as I felt like the walls were closing in around me. Still, I refused to roll over and surrender. I was a damn fighter.

“While that might be true, our agreement was not a loan. I would never take a loan from a man like you.”

His eyes hardened.

Well, it was true.
I had been hard up for an investor, but even I hadn’t been that desperate—or stupid. I knew about the McKay Corporation and the rumors circulating about the mysterious and eccentric owner, Core McKay. He’d built his billion-dollar empire using drug trafficking, money laundering, and prostitution, and that was only to mention a few of the criminally speculated trades.

His jaw tightened. He was pissed, and it was scary.

“In your desperation to finance your business, you obviously lowered your fucking highbrow standards,” he ground out. “Now the only thing I don’t own is your company name. Other than that, I own ninety-seven percent of your precious enterprise.”

My breath stuck in my throat. The silence stretched between us. My failure to look over the fine print of the contract was coming back to bite me in the ass.
Shit!

“Impossible,” I denied.

He gestured to the neatly stacked paperwork on his desk. “The impossible became possible, Ms. Michaels.” His grey eyes flashed before he crossed his muscular arms, his biceps bulging.

He reminded me of a tiger patiently stalking its prey, and in his case, that was me.

I squared my shoulders before snatching the stack off the desk. I scanned the paperwork slowly, stopping at the fine print.
Shit, it is a loan.
How the fuck did I miss this?

My gaze stopped on the name right next to my signature—
Core McKay
.

My stomach rolled. “This is a huge mistake. This wasn’t supposed to be a loan. It was a deal for seven percent of my future earnings.” I shook my head.

“Sinthia.” He said my name as if testing it on his tongue. “Is that your signature?”

My mouth tightened, fighting back the impending flood of tears. “I swear, this was not what I thought I was agreeing to.”

He slightly inclined his head. “Let this be a lesson. Read things thoroughly before you sign.”

This just didn’t make sense.
Why didn’t Tabitha tell me my investor was McKay?

I bit my lip, thinking about that day she’d brought me the contract. My stomach dropped when I remembered she’d seemed entirely too happy. In fact, come to think of it, she had been practically giddy that she’d found me the deal I needed to solve all my business problems.

He looked coldly at me. “Can you pay back my two million dollars plus interest today?”

Now he was toying with me. He knew damn well I didn’t have the money, and I sure as hell couldn’t get it. In desperation mode, my thoughts immediately went to Jade, but I couldn’t borrow the money from her because her assets were tied up in a big business venture to take the script that she wrote and independently produce a movie.

I sputtered, “What the fuck do you want, McKay? Because—” I stopped mid-sentence, feeling warm and tingly as he stared at me with hooded eyes.

His physical magnetism was palpable. I swallowed hard, trying not to squirm under his sensuous stare.

Bastard.
He wants me to beg. Well, that shit isn’t happening.

Our eyes locked.

“I know you don’t expect me to fuck you so you’ll forget about this whole loan thing?”

He actually laughed at me like I’d just told a joke. The sly sound ruffled my nerves.

“Do you really think I have to pay to get fucked?” he replied.

Such an arrogant ass.

I ground my teeth. “Then what do you want?”

“Not a damn thing but my money plus interest.” His eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure you’re able to produce a profit, darling. My sources tell me your retailers are getting cold feet about the viability of your collection. They’re pulling out of your deals.”

I flinched like he’d physically slapped me. “Bullshit! I have concrete agreements with each of them.”

“You really don’t know shit about contracts. Nothing in business is concrete. That’s what loopholes and a shitload of lawyers are for.” He shot me an irritated glare. “I can tell you don’t believe the shit I’m saying, so call Lily Sanchez.”

My eyes narrowed. “How do you know Lily?” I asked with disbelief ringing in my voice.

He shrugged. “Just call her.” He cocked his head. “She’ll confirm the gravity of your situation.”

I pulled out my cell. My fingers trembled, but I willed them to stop. I would not break down in front of this prick. I voice-dialed her.

“Hello, Sin. How are you?” Lily asked.

“Shitty. Look, is everything good to go with my collection deal?”

Lily cleared her throat. My stomach dropped.

“I was going to call you, Sin. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but the financial planners are seriously discussing backing out of your deal.”

I jumped up, turning my back on Core. “What the hell happened?” I whispered.

“Don’t know. I’m still trying to find out. All I know is this is bigger than you or me.”

My shoulders slumped. Her store was my biggest account.

“I’m two million in, Lily. My collection is almost complete. That’s months of work. Do you understand me? Set up a meeting with the financial planners,” I snapped.

“I’m sorry, Sin. My hands are tied. Give me a couple days to figure this out.”

I stood there in shock after she’d hung up.

How in the world could my life have turned from rosy to shitty in a matter of hours?

I could feel Core’s heated stare scorching through my clothes. I gathered my strength and turned around, feeling the noose tightening. It was time to make a deal with the devil, but before I did, I just had one question.

I lifted my chin. “How do you know Tabitha?” My eyes widened. “Oh, I see. You’re one of her many fuck buddies.” My voice was tight with accusation.

He straightened to his full intimidating height. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I’ve known Tabitha for years in various…capacities. That’s why she came to me when you had financing issues. She knew I was in the market for another lucrative investment.” He pulled out a cigar. “I did some extensive investigation on you and your company, and you are very talented.” He lit his cigar. “But obviously, you’re very naive when it comes to business.”

My fists tightened.
I am going to fucking cunt-punch Tabitha when I find her.
“So you know where she is?” I hissed.

His lips twitched into a mockery of a smile. “Don’t know, and I don’t care. But when you find her, give her my regards.” He paused, looking coolly at me. “Sinthia, you’re tougher than I thought. I like that.” He blew out a ring of smoke. “I’ve come to a decision.”

“What decision?” I barked. “You already made a decision when you gave me the two million dollars. Now you’re making another decision?” I sneered.

“I will make it really simple for you.” He crossed his arms and widened his stance. “I’ve invested two million into your business, and I intend on getting it back plus a hefty profit. I will retain full control of your company.”

I nearly choked on my own breath. “This is bullshit! This is my business,” I hissed.

His eyes were ice cold and distant when he continued. “Kevin, my accountant, will take care of all financial matters, including providing the money to continue your line.” He puffed on his cigar. “In addition, I will make some calls to my contacts to see if we can get your retailers back on board.”

I licked my lips. His eyes fell to my mouth.

“And all of this is coming at what price?” My back stiffened and eyes narrowed. “I will not use my company as a front for illegal business dealings.”

His grey eyes narrowed. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

I closed my eyes tightly to block the sight of his hateful presence. “I worked too fucking hard to have my business and name tied to anything illegal.” I forced myself to look at him again.

He stalked over to me, his gaze blatantly roaming over my body. “What a beautiful hypocrite. There was no thought about where the money was coming from when you took it. Now you’re looking at me like I’m the fucking scum of the earth?”