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“You love surprises,” he countered.
She didn’t deny the truth but couldn’t think of any reason why he would have bought her a gift tonight. They weren’t celebrating an anniversary, and there was no special occasion she was aware of.
Annabelle stood beside the bed and placed the box on the mattress to loosen the bow. She removed the lid and looked in confusion at the stack of papers inside. Definitely not what she had expected.
Dante wore an enigmatic expression.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Read them.”
She reached inside and removed the papers. Scanning the contents, her mouth fell open when she realized what they were.
“These are share purchase agreements in my name for Strong Technology. I don’t understand.” She looked to Dante for an explanation.
“The shareholders were not pleased with Albert’s performance at the company, which was why he desperately wanted to merge with your father’s business and take over as CEO. Merging the two private companies meant he could exploit their synergies, which would have made the shareholders happy. Strong smart technology would have been installed in all the new homes B&B built and renovated. Unfortunately for him, he told the board the merger would take place, and when it didn’t, they had another reason to be displeased. I acquired controlling interest in his company by negotiating with the shareholders and then entering into share purchase agreements with eight of the ten who wanted to sell. I purchased sixty percent of the shares and had them transferred to you. You now have a controlling interest in Strong Technology, Inc. to do with as you please. Albert Strong answers to you, in the same way he wantedyouto answer to him.”
Annabelle’s eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief. “A hostile takeover doesn’t happen in a day or two. This must have taken months.”
“The day I went to see him, I made the decision to take over the company and give you controlling interest.”
“But that would mean you started the process months ago—before we were married.”
Dante’s eyes became darker as he spoke with feeling. “We may have gotten married for the wrong reason, but I love you, Anna. I never stopped. When I say you’re my queen, I mean it, and I want to give you everything your heart desires. That includes peace of mind. I never want you to have to worry about Albert Strong—not now or in the future.”
He had essentially gifted her tens of millions of dollars. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you,” Annabelle whispered.
“That’s enough for me.”
She flung her arms around his neck and gave him a long, wet kiss.
Dante groaned and cupped her bottom. “I only wish I could be there to see the look on his face when you let him know you own a majority stake in his company.”
“You can be. You should come with me,” she said, cupping his jaw.
“No. Enjoy your moment and then tell me all about it.”
* * *
Dante swungthe club and listened with satisfaction to thepopsound, right before the ball hit the net in his office. The past two weeks he had concentrated on the deals he had working. He closed on business condos in Atlanta and reviewed photos, leases, and financials for two commercial properties in Mexico City. He put one under contract, which was scheduled to close at the end of next month.
Despite his successes, he couldn’t stem his disappointment at missing out on the Hilderbrandt Plaza. Perhaps he had beentoopatient. He should have moved faster and insisted on a meeting with Nolson a year ago when he first heard rumors about the family’s financial woes. At the very least, he could have been uppermost in Nolson’s mind when the time came to sell.
Or maybe not. Nolson seemed to want to close the deal with someone he knew.
Dante clenched his jaw and swung hard again.Pop.
At least his relationship with Annabelle was back on track. They had such a full social calendar, weekly date nights weren’t practical. Instead, they agreed to setting aside alone time for at least one full day out of each month. She was planning the next one and had insisted they agree to a staycation with no phones allowed.
The intercom chimed, and Dante walked to his desk and pressed the button.
“Your wife’s here,” Sebastian said.
He smiled to himself. He might never tire of hearing those words—your wife. “Send her in.”
He set aside the club as Annabelle waltzed into his office.
“Hello,” she sang, sashaying over to him.
