Read Online To Catch a Billionaire by Dana Stone - Free Book Online Page B

Cameron Gallery. Meredith mentioned it on more than one occasion. She seems to think you ought to be the owner instead of Erin. At first I thought she was complaining over Erin’s treatment of you and the others. The more often we spoke, it became clear that she’s right. If Erin eventually sells the gallery to me I’ll put it completely in your capable hands. You’ll have total control over shows and all the rest, giving you more power than you presently have. My other businesses work like that. I pay owners a fair sum for each gallery and allow them to maintain control. We work out a system, which is what I’d do with you. Think in terms of us being workmates.”
    Before she could say a word, he held up a hand and said, “I’ll give you the staff you need to make it all work without you having to run yourself into the ground, as you have been.”
    Speechless, Cam set her cup on the table and folded her shaky hands in her lap. Was he serious? He’d bypass Erin with a mere snap of his fingers? Not only would he, he could do it under rights of ownership. The implications of his offer hit her smack in the head. He’d been trying to turn Cam to his side. The scoundrel.
    “You make quite an offer Mr. Forsyth, however, pitting me against my boss is unfair to me and to her. I won’t turn on Erin, no matter what the offer is.” Cam capped her cup and slid her chair away from the table. “I must be going. I won’t mention this to Erin. I wouldn’t want to cause her any more grief than you’ve already given her.” Scurrying away, Cam left Tristan standing in the coffee shop.
    She’d just entered the gallery through the rear of the building using her security card to unlock the door, when she was assailed by Guy Blakely, her main security guard. Meredith and the other guard, Jesse Comber, who shared the responsibility for keeping the artwork safe and sound, rushed toward her. Meredith’s face showed ravages of tears. Both guards yammered at once.
    “Wait, wait, I can’t understand a thing you’re saying. Let’s pop into my office and discuss what’s got you all so upset,” Cam ordered with a thumb jerk toward her office.
    When the two guards went on ahead of her, Cam drew Meredith aside. “What’s the matter?”
    With a sniff, Meredith whispered, “There’s been a robbery.” She burst into tears and hung her head as she rushed forward.
    Cam stood stock still, absorbing her words. Robbery? What robbery? There weren’t any police about, the alarm hadn’t gone off and she, Erin, certainly hadn’t gotten a call about a robbery. Her body trembled, her knees knocked together, and it took all her strength to put on a businesslike face before she strode into the room behind them.
    The two men were seated in front of her desk. Meredith stood at the wide windows, sniffling into a wad of tissues. Cam glanced at each employee and said, “I assume you’ve kept the front entry secured, so Guy, start at the beginning and tell me everything. Erin’s out of town, and I can’t call her until I know what’s going on.” Cam plunked into her chair, took a deep breath and waited.
    “Everything is locked up tight, Cam.” Guy dipped his head toward the younger guard, “I came in this morning and found junior, here, out cold on the floor.”
    About to speak, Guy interrupted Cam before she could utter a word. “He’s all right. Has a headache, is all. We’ll send him off to the hospital emergency room shortly, but I wanted him to explain what happened.”
    Her eyes flicked to the younger man. “Are you okay?” He nodded.
    “Would you please tell me what the hell is going on then?”
    “Around four this morning, I went to the men’s room, you know, to uh...” Jesse’s voice trailed off.
    Cam waved a hand and snapped, “Yes, yes, move on.”
    “Sorry, uh, I wasn’t gone long, honest. When I got back, someone wacked me on the head.” Jesse winced when he touched the tender spot on his head. “There are two