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There was a look of pure excitement in his eyes at the thought. “Yes. I think we should do that. But later.”
He lowered his lips to hers, and all thoughts of guilt fled.
* * * *
“That went well,” Brian said as he watched the head of a medical research team walk away looking perfectly satisfied.
Dare wasn’t. He felt like shit because he knew damn well those doctors who were trying to change the world would eventually get screwed if they succeeded. They would have a lawyer look over the contracts that would give them almost ten million in funds to continue their clinical trials, but they would ignore the lawyer when he pointed out how the terms were drawn to give the Nash Group all of the advantages. They were wide-eyed and thought they could make humanity better and would never understand that if they did, Nash would take most of the profits.
He’d seen it a million times.
“Yes, they’ll almost certainly sign the contract.” At least he hoped they would have a lawyer look at it. Sometimes they thought because they were smart enough to get through med school, they were smart enough to read some words and understand the legal costs.
They were not.
He wondered how the Huisman Foundation worked. He’d been reading the man’s book, and he seemed like a genuine guy, someone who knew how hard the world could be and yet tried his best to fight it.
“You don’t seem happy. I think your father will be.” Brian sat back, ignoring the women who sent him heated looks as they passed. He’d been a good boy this whole trip when Dare happened to know he was a playboy at home.
“I hate the fact that if they succeed, they’ll lose it all. My father will call in the debts and sweep the tech out from under them and sell it to one of his many businesses that look legit but aren’t anything close.”
A brow rose over Brian’s eyes. “What do you mean by not legit?”
He sighed and took a sip of his whiskey. He wasn’t drinking much tonight because he was hoping Tasha was up in his suite when he got back. She’d told him she was grabbing some clothes and talking to her sister and would be back as soon as she could. He’d arranged for a key and let the hotel manager know she could have anything she wanted. “It’s not not legit, but it should be. My father is excellent at skirting the rules. He has companies across the world who can use a country’s laws against the people he signs a contract with. It’s all complex, and I don’t even get most of it. He keeps me in the dark, but I know damn sure he doesn’t have anyone’s interests in mind but his.”
The truth of the matter was he was fairly certain there were non-legitimate parts of his father’s business empire.
“I think that’s mostly true of all the billionaire class,” Brian replied. “You don’t get where they are without either ruthless will or being born into it. The ruthless will leads you to protecting everything you have. The generational wealth makes you think you were chosen, that all this is your divine right.”
“I don’t think it’s all billionaires. I’ve met some who do a lot of good.”
Brian huffed. “If you’re talking about Huisman, I assure you he’s like all the rest.”
“You sound like you know him.”
“I don’t, of course, but I’ve studied the man and I think all that syrupy sweetness is a mask. I’m pretty good at reading people, and I think he’s lying to the world, and he’s every bit the monster his father was.”
Dare wasn’t sure what Brian had against the guy. Especially since they’d never met. Brian had grown up in the States, and the Huisman family, up until recently, had only been famous in Canada and medical research circles. “Well, we’ll get to make some serious observations when we spend the weekend with him.”
Brian frowned. “I thought you would take Tasha.”
He’d thought a lot about this and decided to trust his friend. “I will. Oakley offered me two rooms. The truth of the matter is I’m going to be distracted. I want you to spend some time with Huisman.”
The barest look of distaste crossed his face and then it was gone. “Of course. I can handle the man while you take care of your new girl. You move fast, man. Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“I thought you would be cheering me on. Tasha staying with me means Kara will be around a lot.”
“I will admit she was way nicer to me today. I think I’m making some ground with her.” A sly smile turned his lips up.
Dare wouldn’t go that far. “I think she’s working and will likely go back to trying to kick your balls in when you get her in private.”
