Chapter Two Ajay

Rajneet Kaur Hothi.

Well, shit.

Ajay watched as she shifted the empty glass from hand to hand while he connected the dots. He’d assumed that the person who helped his security team block the hostile takeover by WTA was a man.

That was his misstep.

When his brother’s new girlfriend had made the recommendation, he hadn’t cared who Raj Hothi was. He just wanted the work done. Now he wished he’d asked more questions. It wouldn’t have changed his mind about hiring her, but maybe he would’ve asked for in-person meetings.

“You’re the last person I expected to run into, Raj Hothi.”

“Why? Because I don’t seem charitable?”

“No, because I’d prepared for a boring night. Fundraisers are about shaking hands and pretending to like everyone until the dessert course is over.”

“And now?”

Her husky laugh wrapped around his dick like a vise.

He tossed his whiskey back, just as she’d done. “And now,” he said slowly, “I’m glad I came.”

“Because of me? Do you like what you see, Ajay?”

Raj had to know she looked stunning, and not because of her dress or her diamond-encrusted heels or her big, luscious hair that he wanted to wrap around his fist. It wasn’t even the deep golden brown of her skin that had Ajay itching to touch and stroke. It was her blinding confidence, and a woman that confident pressed all his buttons.

“I think you know the answer to that.”

“I do. And because I’m feeling charitable tonight, can I give you a word of advice?”

Ajay mimicked her stance and leaned against the railing. “Please.”

“Never attend an event, business or pleasure, unless you’re aware of all the major players in the room. You’ll put yourself at a serious disadvantage.”

“And you’re one of those major players?”

“I’m one of the more dangerous ones you have to worry about.”

Ajay moved closer to her. God, she smelled delicious. Like cardamom rusk: tough and sweet with a hint of spice. He wondered if she also melted in heat. “Why is that?”

“Information.”

“You have it, or you use it?”

“A little of both. My staffing company specializes in security services.”

“Yes, that’s right. RKH Collective. We’re still using your services to clean up the mess that WTA left. My chief of security, Sri, only sings your praises.”

“Thank you. After working with Bharat, I am thinking of branching out beyond staffing into technology.”

“Cybersecurity?”

“And wearable technology. We’re still developing a business strategy. Then we’ll be more dangerous than ever.”

Ajay leaned in and was thrilled when he saw her pupils dilate and her lips part.

“Tell me, Rajneet. What information do you have on me?”

Her shoulders relaxed a fraction. “You’re an easy one. Ajay Singh, middle Singh brother, COO of Bharat, Inc., as well as interim head of HAZ Industries, a conglomerate of businesses from vineyards to real estate owned by the illustrious Singh Family.”

“So far, you’re on the money.”

“I’m not finished. You’re also the next in line to take over as CEO of Bharat once your father hits the magic number of sixty-five and is forced to retire at the end of the year. You don’t do interviews, conferences, keynotes, or social media. And, unfortunately, speculation has it you’re the reason Bharat’s gradual profit growth is now suddenly flat.”

The last bit of information stung.

“You know,” he said slowly, “I normally don’t care about public perception. People are talking about me, about my dad and Bharat, and I can’t change that. All that really matters is the respect of my family, the board, and my employees.”

The corner of her mouth curved up. “That’s admirable of you.”

“But,” he said, holding up a hand, “there is something about you that makes me want to convince you that I’m more than a short dossier.”

There was that flash in her eyes again. The same one he saw when he’d leaned in close for the first time. Her voice was low and husky. “I may be open to being convinced.”

“I’ll have to take my time.”

Her expression was a study in surprise, confusion, and then... interest. “Mmm-hmm,” she said slowly. “That does sound interesting.”

Ajay almost swore when his phone vibrated in his pocket. It was audible enough to make Raj step back.

“You may want to check that.” She straightened and moved away from the railing.

“No, it’s fine.”

“It’s not. Most likely Mina or one of your brothers. Answer it, Ajay. And remember my advice, will you?” With a slow wink over her shoulder, she sauntered off, weaving through tables and clusters of guests until she disappeared in the crowd.

Ajay pulled out his cell and saw that it was his oldest brother, Hem, calling. How the hell had Raj guessed that one?

“Bhai. What is it?”

“Ajay, you need to brace yourself. Robert Douglass may be there.”

“Robert Douglass?” The name was all too familiar. It hadn’t been that long since Bharat’s shareholder call when they discovered their dirty board members. WTA’s representative, Robert Douglass, was a grade-A asshole and the perfect representative for the tech conglomerate that had purchased Bharat stock in secret, infiltrated their board, and now created chaos with their market shares.

His brother let out a breath. “You know Mina’s best friend, Raj?”

“Yeah, I just met her.”

“Well, Robert Douglass III is her husband.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Douglass apparently left Raj’s company to go to WTA and we don’t know how much Robert was able to find out through her. Mina just made the connection when I told her that WTA, specifically Robert, was on the last shareholder call.”

Ajay gripped the portico railing hard enough for his knuckles to whiten. He’d stood there like a fool, drooling over Rajneet Kaur Hothi, while she knew exactly who he was and what he was doing.

She must have been laughing at him the whole time.

“She’s getting a divorce.”

Hem’s words sliced through this rage.

“A divorce? From Douglass?”

“Yes. It looks like Raj may have asked for a divorce after Robert quit her company and started working for WTA. We don’t have the full story yet, but Mina will most likely get it next week.”

“No,” Ajay said. “I’m going to get it now.”

“Brother, don’t do anything rash.”

“Have I ever?”

“No, but there is always a first time.”

“I’ll call you later.” Ajay hung up his phone and pushed his way through tables looking for the liar in question.

He made it halfway across the dance floor before he saw her.

She was speaking with a group of familiar-looking suits. He would draw attention if he approached her now, and he couldn’t give a damn.

Raj’s eyes widened a fraction at his approach, but she kept speaking to her audience even as he sidled next to her and rested a hand against her lower back.

“—there is a market need for the work. Everyone, I’d like for you to meet Ajay Singh, of Bharat, Inc.”

“The technology company,” an older Hispanic man with a cloud of snow-white hair replied. He stuck out a hand to shake. “I know your father. I own GridX Power. Jose Rivero.”

“Mr. Rivero. Of course,” Ajay said. Returning the shake, he flipped through his mental files. “My father speaks highly of the work you did after hurricane season last year. You were able to get Florida’s grids back up and running before anyone else.”

Mr. Rivero beamed. “We serve our communities the best we can.”

“It shows. Mr. Rivero, everyone, I hate to steal Ms. Hothi away, but we have some unfinished business.”

“Ajay, we can discuss it later,” Raj said.

“Sweetheart,” he said with a saccharine tone. “We need to talk. Now.”

“I don’t think—”

“Do you want me to talk about how you played me in front of spectators?” Ajay asked in Punjabi. “Because, as you said, there are already rumors about me in the media. What’s one more?”

Her irritated expression iced over. Good, he thought. If she was as angry as he was, neither of them would pull their punches.

“Excuse me. We have a small, friendly business matter to address.”

“Emphasis on the friendly,” Ajay said, and winked at Mr. Rivero before leading Raj toward the exit.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed as she matched his long strides. “I thought you were smarter than that. You just insinuated a relationship when—”

“You’re married. Oh, I know. You were right on the money. My brother was the one who called me. I prefer to get the answers to the rest of my questions from you.”

They were almost at the exit when his eyes met the glare of a man who stood in a corner, surrounded by people who looked just like him. Something about his expression made Ajay slow his pace.

“Is that your husband?” He motioned to the man with his chin.

Raj paused, and her spine stiffened under Ajay’s hand. “Yes, that’s Robert.”

Ajay turned and gave Robert a brilliant smile. He waved from across the room as if he was greeting a long-lost friend.

“Stop that,” Raj hissed and marched forward without him.

They circumvented the stragglers having quiet conversations in the lobby before turning left toward the theater. They rounded a corner and made it halfway down the corridor before they were alone and far enough away that no one could hear them.

“What the hell was that?” Raj said. Her accent, which hadn’t been noticeable at all earlier, was now thick in her voice. She pronounced her Ts like his parents did when they spoke English.

Ajay stepped forward until they were inches apart. “What games are you playing?”

“Do you think intimidation works on me?” Raj said, arching one long eyebrow. “I eat men in suits like you for breakfast, Ajay Singh.”

“Your company’s fired,” he replied.

She gaped at him. “That’s a stupid move. You need me.”

“No, I don’t. I don’t need another mole.”

“Another mole? Oh, that’s rich. You had one of the most incompetent teams ever, while my people saved your ass. They would never—”

“But your husband would,” Ajay said. “And yes, I heard you’re getting a divorce. But you never told us that you had someone from WTA in your house while you were working with our information, Raj. Which is why I can’t trust my business with yours, nor will my company.”

Her nostrils flared. “My business has nothing to do with my marriage.”

“Oh?” Ajay leaned down until their noses almost touched. “Can you swear to me that your husband didn’t get hold of any information about my company while you were helping us out?”

He saw a flicker in her eyes and knew it was guilt. He suppressed the urge to swear again. “What does he know?”

“Nothing that isn’t already public,” she responded. “I took care of it.”

“You took care of it?” Ajay roared. His voice echoed down the empty corridor. “Do you have any idea what this company means to me, means to my father? He started Bharat with nothing but a dream and determination. We almost lost everything to WTA because we had a mole in our company. Then you almost screwed us again, and all you can say is that you took care of it?”

“You don’t have any idea who the hell you’re talking to,” she shot back. “Your father isn’t the only one who stands on a mountain built of dreams. That’s why I put my own money, my own people into helping your company when you were the fools who got yourselves into the mess in the first place. Hell, your chief of security was so inept that it took my team a day to produce what he couldn’t in months. You think I’d help anybody, Ajay? No, dammit. I made sure Bharat wasn’t affected by my mistake and I made up for it tenfold. I take care of my own, and then I gave you more than you deserve.”

They were both breathing heavily. The fire burning in her eyes matched his temper, and no matter how hard he tried, the longer he looked at her, the more he seethed. He’d let Rajneet Kaur Hothi take advantage of him for the last time.

“And to think, despite our short conversation, I thought you actually were interested in playing with me, not playing me.”

Ajay tucked a soft, thick curl behind her ear, his fingers lingering at the curve of her chin for a moment, before he stepped away and pulled his cell out to call his chief of security

“Sri,” he said when the man answered the phone. He locked eyes with Rajneet.

“What can I do for you, boss?”

“Terminate all RKH Collective contractors immediately. We have a breach.”

“Sir?” Sri’s voice held a note of surprise. “Is there something wrong?”

Ajay felt a niggling of irritation. His head of security was always available, and did what he asked, but there had been a lot of mistakes in the last few months that should’ve been caught. This was one of them.

“It appears as if the owner of the company is married to WTA’s shareholder representative.” Raj glared at him but didn’t try to stop his conversation.

“I’ll get on it right away. That was an oversight on our part, sir.”

“The company was a recommendation. We won’t make the same mistake again.”

“Yes, sir,” Sri said.

“And after you’re done, talk to our new SVP of legal about what can nullify our noncompete agreement with the company. Then reach out to the consultants and offer a job at double the salary to work for us directly. Be honest. Tell them that their boss didn’t act in good faith. If we have to publicize this bullshit to hire those contractors, let’s do it. Communications can help.”

This time Raj gasped. She reached out to snatch the phone from his hand, but Ajay was already hanging up.

“You son of a bitch,” she said, shoving at his shoulder. “What gives you the right—”

“You did,” he replied, and tucked his phone away. He took a few steps backward before turning on his heel. “I’m neither easy prey in business nor your personal fuck boy, Raj. Don’t underestimate me again.”

He didn’t bother seeing if she’d follow him this time. He had to go back to the fundraiser and make an appearance.

He was there for Bharat and for his father. His family legacy was the most important thing in his life and no woman would ever change that.