“That’s for you to figure out.” He glanced at his watch. “Look, if you’re not interested…”
“No. I am. I think. I just need more time.”
“I don’t got all night, boy. I may change my mind without all this good time atmosphere around me.”
The napkin had his signature and the unbelievable offer written in blue ink, bleeding through the napkin. It was right there. All I had to do was grab it.
“You’re serious? That much money? You don’t even know me.”
“I know a man the second I meet him. If you want it bad enough, you’ll do it.”
When I looked up again, my gaze immediately found Suze. Occum had a hold of her upper arm, his grip strong enough to indent her soft skin. I blinked back anger and half stood.
“I’m serious about this offer,” Buffount pulled my attention to him. “But I won’t wait forever. You have until tomorrow.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Rutledge?” A woman dressed in lingerie tapped my shoulder. “Mr. Occum would like to speak with you.”
“Looks like you’re up,” Buffount said. “He does a hard sell. Make sure you know what you want going in.”
Momentarily distracted by the interruption, I turned back but Suze was nowhere to be seen.
“I’ll call you,” I said to the man, not sure I meant it but feeling the need to end the conversation.
The shocked confusion that had settled over me during that surreal conversation melted into frustration as I followed the woman to a side door. I couldn’t think about the potential funding right now. I had to deal with a crook who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Chapter 6
Suzie
Clifford Rutledge walked into the private room and my carefully constructed internal pep talk went out the window. My hands and toes went numb. Shit was getting real—er, this was one clucked-up situation. Behind him, the door shut and clicked loudly. His face changed from apprehensive to glaring. Occum sat with his arms spread wide over the back of the small velvet couch, one leg crossed over the other. I was tucked back into a corner so he couldn’t see me at first, despite the room being only a few square feet.
“Mr. Rutledge, so glad you could meet us.”
At Occum’s greeting, Clifford’s mouth turned down and he scanned the room. When his gaze landed on me his eyes widened slightly before he slipped on a cool mask of disinterest. I recognized that move to self-control, because I did it all the time.
I smiled. He frowned.
Okay, that wasn’t the start I’d hoped for. In fact, instead of looking even remotely happy to be there, he seemed seconds away from flying off the handle. His fists were balled with arms crossed tight across his chest. His chest rose and fell quickly.
“What’s this about? It’s unethical to have contacted me as though this were a university function.”
“I did no such thing. You were invited to a party, nothing more. Now take a seat.” Occum gestured to the portion of booth between us.
“No.” Clifford turned to leave but the door was locked. “This is illegal. I’m being held against my will. Open this door.”
My heart started to race. I didn’t think the professor was necessarily gonna be happy, but I didn’t think he’d be this ticked off either. A vein in his neck was all but popping out though he kept his voice calm. Occum looked as cool as ever though, slowly stroking his long beard.
“I can tell you’re a man of strong moral fiber. That’s admirable,” Occum said. “But every man has his price.”
Occum gestured to me. I stepped forward.
“You think you can throw her at me? Like that will change my mind?” His words were calculated but licked by fire. “I’m not interested in anything she has to offer.”
Heat of humiliation traveled up my chest. Of course, he wouldn’t want someone like me. He wouldn’t want to lower himself to my level. My own rage started to simmer. That anger gave me courage.
“Occum?” I stepped closer to both men, keeping my demeanor cool but inside I was crawling with angry fire ants. “Why don’t you let the two of us get acquainted for a bit?”
Occum looked back and forth. I gave him a small but assuring nod. He stood.
