Double Deception Read online

  But a Skype meeting convinced him this was, in fact, a serious offer. That, yes, the CEO herself did want to talk to him was the biggest shock of his life. Then came the negotiations and the Skype meetings with all the attorneys. Then two days ago, with the meeting all set, Taylor Cantrell herself called him. And asked him to have dinner with them.

  The first thing he did when he received the invitation was call his attorney, Hank Freemen, a man he trusted implicitly.

  “What do you think is up her sleeve? I mean, the woman runs this gigantic conglomerate, yet she wants to spend an evening with what’s only a small cog in the wheel?”

  “Do it,” Hank Freeman advised. “Taylor Cantrell is a unique individual—sharp, savvy, smart. Her attorneys tell me she gets briefed every day and knows at any given time what is going on with all the Arroyo subsidiaries. I’ve gone over the contracts with a fine-toothed comb. We’re good to go there.”

  “Any reason you know of why they’d want this private dinner with me before all the paperwork gets signed tomorrow?”

  Hank nodded. “I asked around. The Cantrells always set up a lunch or dinner before the final meeting when the docs are signed. It’s not a problem or I’d advise against it.”

  “I keep thinking this might be some kind of trap,” Liam said.

  “Not at all. She just doesn’t like the first live face-to-face to be at the meeting where we do the deed. I hear this is where she makes her decisions on how involved Arroyo will be in your business and how high your profile will be in Arroyo.”

  Liam was stunned. “You’re shitting me.”

  “Not even a little. Trust me, Liam. It’s all good, really.”

  “Not bad for a nerd with a degree in computer engineering from the University of Michigan,” he joked.

  “Liam, you were never a nerd,” Hank told him. “Maybe a little obsessed with getting your degree—probably the reason you ignored all those hot chicks who did everything but take off their panties to get you to notice them.”

  “Yeah, right,” he snorted.

  “No shit.” Hank chuckled. “But when you wouldn’t get your head out of your computer they were happy to turn their attention to me. Liam, my boy, you made my college career very successful on that front.”

  He wondered if there was more truth than poetry in that. What he did know was he’d devoted every waking minute to becoming the best in his profession. Now it looked as if it was all paying off in spades. Tomorrow he’d become part of Arroyo International and tonight he’d be having dinner with the Cantrells.

  They had flown into Tampa late today on their private plane and Noah Cantrell had texted him when their plane landed. Liam had offered to pick them up, but they assured him they had transportation covered. He should just meet them at the hotel for dinner. In their suite.

  Eight o’clock too late for dinner? Taylor texted. Sorry we can’t make it earlier.

  He didn’t care if they wanted to eat dinner at midnight. No problem.

  You a steak person?

  Yes. Love a good piece of beef.

  Steak for dinner okay then? We fly it in with us from the ranch.

  They flew it in from their ranch? He might be way out of his league here, although in their Skype calls both Cantrells had seemed like down-to-earth people. And opportunities like this didn’t come along very often. Sometimes never.

  His reputation for designing security systems that were virtually hack-proof had his customer base exploding. In fact, at the moment, the company was working on software for two engineering firms with defense contracts, plus the aviation construction company that would use one of the designs to construct drones for the military. They were his most lucrative contracts to date and he was obsessed with making sure nothing went wrong.

  His designers were great, but he needed more of them. He was so overloaded himself he barely had time to look for them. What he really wanted was someone who could ramrod the software development while working on projects of his own. Or her own, he thought. Better not be sexist here. Someone who could double and triple check the work of his software designers. That would leave him free to deal with clients and handle a few special projects.

  This could be the biggest thing for his company since he opened the doors.

  It hardly seemed possible that less than five years ago he’d been working for a major software company and Software By Design had been nothing but a dream. Now, he was poised to enter the global stage, take a big leap forward. He ate, slept and breathed SBD. One of these days he’d have to think about getting a life. Maybe after tomorrow’s meeting he could move ahead with leasing new offices in Tampa’s ever-growing West Shore district and do a better job of juggling a list of clients that was growing every day.

  At the staff meeting where he’d given everyone the news, the reaction had been about what he expected. Mixed. Everything from enthusiastic to skeptical to “I-don’t-care-unless-it-means-more-money-can-I-get-back-to-work-now.” After this deal was finalized, he’d sit and talk to each of them individually. Discuss the new clients and split the jobs so everyone would be invested in the change. Tomorrow, at this time, the deal would be inked and he could begin implementing his plans.

  If I don’t somehow screw it up.

  He was beyond pissed at himself for running late. He was pretty damn sure the Cantrells weren’t late for meetings. He just hoped his fucking tardiness didn’t blow the best opportunity ever to come his way.

  At the garage elevator, he tapped his foot impatiently and checked the time on his watch, then caught a glimpse of himself in the reflecting doors of the elevator. The effect of the custom suit that fit his six-foot-plus frame was only slightly diminished by the fact that his thick brown hair was in need of a cut. Of course, the frown creasing his forehead didn’t help, either.

  He forced himself to take a breath and soften the tension gripping him.

  Fine. I look fine. Like a well-dressed executive.

  At least he’d been smart enough not to show up in the jeans and T-shirt he usually lived in.

  When the elevator arrived, he squeezed into a car already crowded and gnashed his teeth in frustration until they reached the ground floor. The moment the doors opened, he rushed from the parking garage into the lobby of the uber-luxurious Hotel DaCosta Waterside and Marina.

  Always running. Always in a hurry.

  He dashed through the lobby, already formulating what he hoped would be a passable excuse. Of course, all the damn elevators were busy. When the doors to one finally slid open, he started to barrel inside, practically knocking over the woman about to step out.

  “Excuse me,” he mumbled, barely avoiding knocking her over.

  “You should watch—Liam? Is that you?”

  As anxious as he was to push the button for the tenth floor, he looked at the woman he’d nearly knocked over, stunned.

  “Sydney?”

  She laughed. “Unless I changed my name since the last time we saw each other.”

  Liam stood there, just staring. Sydney Alfiore. Powerhouse criminal defense attorney. The woman of his dreams in all her striking reality. Her eyes were a startling shade of blue, almost violet, that with her ebony hair made a mesmerizing sight. A woman who, from the moment they’d met at a cocktail party, made him hard just looking at her. No other woman had ever affected him that way, certainly not that fast, and they hadn’t even been out on a date!

  He never lacked for female companionship when he wanted it, but he had yet to meet one who could compete with his dedication to building Software By Design. That night he’d merely been doing his obligatory duty, attending a party hosted by one of his clients. He sure hadn’t been looking for a woman. Since SBD had ballooned in a few short months, the only figures he’d paid attention to were his bottom line and the ones he used to write code.

  Until the moment he laid eyes on Sydney, who flat-out knocked him on his ass. She was the first woman he’d met who made him want things he hadn’t even thought about. A
woman who could change his mind about a lot of things. His cock had hardened in an instant, enough so he’d had to drink iced water not to embarrass himself. The air around them had sparked with a sizzle so strong it was almost visible. And that was just at that first contact.

  She was a striking figure in any crowd, tall, with rich silky hair that fell to her shoulders in rippling waves and framed a heart-shaped face. Other women in the room faded into the background.

  Her name wasn’t unfamiliar to him. The media seemed to love her and gave her plenty of coverage. A criminal defense attorney acknowledged as one of the best in the southeast, she was usually tied up with some big-ticket client who sucked up all her time.

  But that night when they’d met, he’d discovered she was also bright, funny and had a sense of humor that meshed with his. Sydney Alfiore was an enticing combination of authority and femininity, brains and sensuality. A woman who turned heads. She’d certainly turned his.

  “Have dinner with me?” he’d asked when the party broke up.

  “I’m so sorry,” she’d told him in a warm, sultry voice. He’d heard real regret in her words. “I’m tied up with a complicated trial. But I hope you’ll call me again.”

  He’d wanted to. Every time he thought of her, both his brain and his cock sent him urgent messages. He’d watched the progress of her latest trial, watching for the right time to call and ask her out. But then his own schedule had begun to suffer from overload. Arroyo had come into the picture, two new contracts had dropped into his lap and he’d barely had time to sleep, never mind spend time with Sydney.

  Of course, that didn’t stop his sleep from being disturbed by intensely erotic dreams, all of them starring Sydney. The two of them seemed caught in a cycle of conflicting career obligations. He was immersed in meetings and projects, and the few times he’d had a little break and managed to call her, she hadn’t been free.

  “But please keep asking,” she’d always told him. “This isn’t a brush-off by any means. It’s just my crazy schedule.”

  “Listen, if anyone understands, it’s me,” he’d assured her. “So don’t worry, I will.”

  How had he not pushed things aside to make time for her when she was free?

  Now here she was, and he wondered if fate had placed them together at this moment in his life. He’d love to tell her all about Arroyo and have a drink to celebrate. Maybe even…

  He held the door open, wondering if they could make something happen tonight.

  “You here with your latest client?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” She sighed. “Two witnesses flew into town and I was just getting them settled upstairs. They’re turning out to be a real pain in the ass. What about you? What brings you to this hotel?”

  “Business. Something really big has come my way, Syd. We’re inking the deal tomorrow. Tonight is sort of an informal meeting before the final details.” He snuck a look at his watch. “I’d love to tell you about it, except I’m already late meeting these people for dinner in their suite. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but…”

  Hell. Why did these things always happen when he was tied up six ways from Sunday? Damn, damn, damn.

  “We always seem to be in a hurry for something, don’t we?” A corner of her mouth kicked up in a rueful grin.

  “Yes.” He shook his head. “That’s the damn truth. Life’s a bitch sometimes,” he groaned. “One of these days we’ll find a few hours when neither of us is busy and maybe we can get to know each other.”

  Her lips curved in a warm smile. “I’d like that.” Then she snapped her fingers. “Listen. My witnesses are meeting me down here for dinner in a bit. If you and I are both finished at the same time, maybe we can at least have a drink.”

  “I’m all for that.”

  “Me too. Now go. Don’t keep your people waiting. And good luck with whatever this is.”

  “Thanks.” He punched the button. “Later.” I hope.

  By now the elevator car was crowded and he drummed his fingers against his thigh as it stopped on two different floors to let people out. At last he was at the Cantrell suite, knocking on the door. With a supreme effort of will, he put Sydney Alfiore out of his mind. For now.

  “Liam!” Taylor Cantrell’s smile was warm and friendly. “Come in. Please. Dinner will be up shortly.”

  “Sorry I’m late,” he apologized. “I try to make it a point to be on time.”

  “Of course.” She took a step back. “Come in. Please.”

  “How many times have I told you not to just open the door like that?” a deep male voice asked behind her. Then Noah Cantrell was there, one arm around her waist, the other hand extended in greeting.

  “Great to meet you in person,” Liam said, shaking the man’s hand. “Again, sorry I’m late.”

  “Not to worry.” Taylor waved a hand. “We’re well aware how life gets in the way, no matter what we do. Come on in. We’ll have some drinks and chat. The food should be here any minute.”

  He was trying to adjust his brain to the kind of wealth where you brought your own steaks on your private plane and the hotel prepared them for you. Of course, if you owned the hotel you were staying at, anything was possible. And Software By Design would soon be part of their world.

  “Relax.” Noah seemed to sense his tension. “How about a drink? I always like a shot of bourbon before dinner.”

  “Sure. Sounds good. Thanks.”

  As he sipped the whiskey, Liam took the opportunity to really look at the couple. Noah’s Native American heritage was evident in his darker skin, black eyes and coal-black hair, which he wore tied back with a leather thong. Even in an expensive silk shirt and custom-tailored slacks, there was still the air of a savage about him. His official title was vice president of security for the entire conglomerate and Liam would bet money no one ever gave him trouble.

  Taylor was as light as Noah was dark, with auburn hair and emerald-green eyes. Her smile was easy, the smile of a woman comfortable with herself and her life. Not many people looking at her would guess she was the chairman and CEO of a multinational, multi-billion-dollar corporation. But in their two Skype calls, Liam had learned her mind was sharp as a razor and nothing got past her.

  Looking at them, at their relaxed attitude and their ease with each other, a person would be hard-pressed to realize they controlled an obscene amount of money and a company with divisions all over the world.

  At that moment, a knock sounded on the door and Noah went to open it.

  “Dinner’s here,” he called over his shoulder and stood aside so the waiter could roll in the cart.

  “I don’t know about you men,” Taylor said when the food had been set out on the dining table, “but I’m famished. My brain works much better when I’m well fed. Noah’s, too. I think I’ve spoiled him. He loves a good thick steak and you can’t beat Texas beef, especially from our ranch.”

  “It looks fantastic,” he assured her

  “Come sit, then. Bring your drink with you.”

  Liam ended up with Noah on one side and Taylor on the other. Very neat, he thought.

  “I wanted to meet with you tonight in an informal setting,” Taylor said. “Tomorrow you’ll become part of the Arroyo family. Despite the size of the corporation, I like to think of it as a large family and maintain personal contact with all the executives.”

  “I’m sure that keeps you very busy.”

  “It does. But I also like to get a personal read on who we’re bringing into the family. Just a quirk of mine.”

  “She pretty much knows what she wants.” Noah grinned. “She probably knew your balance sheets and statistics better than you do before she made that first contact.”

  Liam was sure it was a hell of a lot more than a quirk. It took a steel-trap mind and an innate sense of what worked and what didn’t to run a company the size of Arroyo. He didn’t think there were too many people in the world, male or female, who could take the reins of a giant conglomerate like Arroyo a
nd not only run it efficiently but grow it in a smart manner.

  He set his glass down carefully and looked from one to the other. “I have to say, I’m excited at the offer to make Software By Design a part of Arroyo.”

  “I see it as a good fit for us,” Taylor explained. “A software company that creates high-profile, sophisticated security software will be a great asset to a lot of our other divisions. And I like the idea that you are already designing security software for defense contractors.”

  Liam nodded, well aware Taylor was probably right. “I’ll tell you this. We’re growing so fast I can hardly keep up with myself.” His mouth curved in a rueful smile. “Hence the tardiness.”

  Taylor flipped a hand at hm. “No big deal. In a successful business, adhering to a clock is often hard. And Noah’s right. I did study everything about your company before I contacted you. But tonight, what I’m most interested in is your vision for SBD. Discuss the ways we can integrate it into Arroyo. Cyber security has become a necessity in this age of hackers, especially for firms with extremely sensitive material to protect.”

  “So.” Noah lifted his glass. “I think we should start with a toast to John, who set this ball rolling.”

  John Martino was a top-notch forensic accountant who lived in Tampa and had done some work for a couple of Liam’s clients, most notably a financial research firm, Optimus.

  “I agree.” Liam raised his glass and touched it to each of the others. Then he took a sip of the smooth, aged bourbon Noah had poured for him.

  “To the future,” Taylor toasted.

  Liam replaced his glass on the table. One drink, he’d told himself. This wasn’t the time to get sloppy drunk. He’d need all his wits about him with this power couple.

  “I’m fascinated with what you do,” Taylor told hm. “Creating original security software that can be tailored for specific clients. And you also create simulations, right?”