Fair Play by Deirdre Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

Corporation would very much like you to join their corporate family.”
    Janna folded her hands in front of her. “Now why would we want to do that, Mr. Banister?”
    â€œBecause such a partnership would be mutually beneficial.”
    â€œHow?” Theresa interjected.
    Both Banister and Janna swiveled to look at her, Janna’s expression warning her not to start whispering an incantation to turn him into poultry.
    Meanwhile, Ted Banister was smiling warmly at her with all the sincerity of a politician. “Allying yourself with Butler would afford you—how shall I say—a safety net which you currently lack. Since you’d be part of a larger organization, there would be less pressure on the two of you individually to secure clients simply to meet your monthly expenses.”
    â€œInteresting,” Janna murmured. “What else?”
    â€œYou’d have the kind of extensive support staff you now lack: personal assistants, secretaries, artists . . .”
    â€œBut wouldn’t we be support staff, in essence?” Janna countered. “I mean, we’re talking about a buyout, aren’t we? Theresa and I would become employees of Butler.”
    â€œTechnically, true. But you’d maintain a great deal of independence,” Banister insisted.
    Janna and Theresa exchanged wary glances.
    â€œGo on,” said Theresa. She watched as the older man glanced pointedly at his nephew, who up until that second had still been concentrating all his attention on her. Or maybe he’d been eyeing the muffins in the middle of the table. Shoot, thought Theresa.
    â€œI think what my uncle is talking about is this,” said Reese, casually reaching for a brioche. Theresa’s heart sank. It had been the baked goods, not her. “You’d be free to specialize in the areas you find most appealing and lucrative.”
    â€œBut we’d still be employees no matter how you choose to frame it,” said Janna.
    â€œInteresting way of looking at things,” Ted Banister noted, tugging thoughtfully on his chin. “Suppose I told you that in order to acquire your company, Butler Corporation would be willing to pay a substantial multiple of earnings?”
    â€œCan I have that in English, please?” Theresa asked bluntly. Across the table, she caught the look of amusement on Reese’s face, and flushed. He thinks I’m witty, she thought, feeling very pleased with herself. Maybe he did like her better than the brioche.
    â€œIt means they’re willing to pay us more than we’re really worth,” Janna explained.
    Ted Banister laughed coldly. “That’s a little blunt.”
    â€œIt’s also a little true,” Janna rejoined.
    â€œI realize this might be a bit much to take in right now.” Banister slid his card across the table to Janna. “Why don’t you think about what we’ve discussed and give me a call in a few days if you have any questions?”
    â€œThank you, we will.” She glanced at both Banister and his nephew. “Can I get you gentlemen anything else? Some more coffee?”
    Ted Banister’s smile was reptilian. “I’m fine, thank you.” He turned to Reese. “Shall we?”
    Reese hurriedly swallowed the bite of pastry in his mouth and rose, rounding the table to join his uncle. Theresa and Janna rose, too, and together they led the two Banisters out to the lobby, Theresa acutely aware of the younger man’s appraising gaze. Goddess of Undergarments, she prayed, don’t let me have visible panty lines. After cordially wishing both men good day, they hurriedly reconvened to Janna’s office for a postmortem, closing the door so that Terrence couldn’t hear what they were saying.
    â€œWell, that was short and sweet,” said Janna with a pronounced frown. “So what did you think?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Theresa admitted. “What do you