Bind Me - Page 87

“I don’t see why it would be a secret you haven’t found time to acquire a partner for the benefit this weekend.” Gloria rubs her huge gemmed ring on her right hand as her sharp gaze meets Seth’s. “I saw that Morrigan Technology Group has a table. I assume, unlike Elizabeth, you already have dates?”

I stiffen in my seat. Is this why they were so eager to meet with us now?

“Not yet,” Seth says with a slight wince that only I would notice. It’s barely a twitch of his eye, but I’ve known him forever.

“You and Elizabeth should go together. Save yourself the stress of finding someone to bring. And the two of you can catch up on old times.” Gloria smiles like she’s made everything better.

Seth inhales before he turns to Elizabeth. “Of course, it would be lovely to catch up if you want to attend with me.”

“I’d like that.” Elizabeth gives him a smile that seems soft. It’s all fake. My money is on Elizabeth and her mother concocting this entire conversation before coming to lunch.

Madison’s hand slides into mine under the table. I squeeze hers. This isn’t easy for either of us to watch. But Madison doesn’t know all the history here.

While she seems like a blushing, sweet woman, Elizabeth is a manipulative bitch when she sets her sights on something, or rather, someone. Seth was up-and-coming when they were dating. Now, he’s made it. We all have. He’s worth a lot more to Gloria and Elizabeth now than when he was in college.

“Wonderful.” Gloria clasps her hands together. “Now we have that settled.”

Maybe that makes it okay in Gloria’s book to be with new money. If that new money is still connected to old money like Cooper’s family.

“Sorry we’re late.” Noah walks into the room and glances at all of us. His brows furrow when he meets my gaze and then looks at Madison. Her face is pale and her smile is fixed. I squeeze her hand under the table again to reassure her. We’re still hers. All of us.

Seth stands. “You remember Elizabeth, and this is her mother Gloria.”

Noah’s smile tightens and he nods. “Of course, lovely to see both of you.”

When Coop steps into the room, Elizabeth blushes. He nods at Elizabeth before taking Gloria’s hand and brushing his lips over her knuckles. “Gloria, a pleasure, as always.”

“How are your parents, Cooper?” Gloria gives him a smile as he rounds the table and takes the seat next to Madison.

“Vacationing in some far-off destination this time of year.” His hand takes Madison’s other hand beneath the table. “But we’re not here to talk about my parents. We’re here to discuss your business and what our company can do for yours.”

He purposely looks to Seth to get the ball rolling. I don’t blame him. These women used Seth to get to him before. Coop was against this meeting. It doesn’t matter how much the project could bring in. To him, dealing with these women isn’t worth it.

The rest of us disagreed, but what if they’re after more than a solid cybersecurity company? What if they’re still after Cooper, or even Seth?

The connections we could make if we won them as a client would be invaluable. Where Stiner goes, a lot of companies will follow.

Seth nods, and the server comes in with drinks for everyone. “We were surprised when Stiner contacted us. We thought you were happy with Addison Group.”

Gloria waves in front of her face delicately, like she’s getting rid of a foul smell. “They’ve been decent, but Stiner prefers to work with the best. And everyone says you are the best.”

That must eat away at the woman. The fact that Seth and Cooper rejected her daughter and still made it big. Bigger than anyone could imagine back then. They didn’t realize that the four of us together were unstoppable.

Seth talks about what we can do for them as a business, drawing their attention. When the salads arrive, I squeeze Madison’s hand before releasing it. Every now and then, I need to interject some information, especially when Gloria has a question.

Our lunch follows, and by the time we finish our meals, we’ve laid the groundwork for what we can do for Stiner.

“I have to admit, I’m impressed with how far you gentlemen have come.” Gloria doesn’t really relax, but she lets herself smile a little. “When Elizabeth told me who she was dating in college, I was opposed to the match. It seems I underestimated you.”

Seth makes a noncommittal noise. “Water under the bridge.”

Is it? I definitely want to dig into Seth’s thought process on this whole thing, but not here, and definitely not now.

“Excuse me, gentlemen.” Gloria’s eyes flit to Madison, who she’s largely ignored for the past hour. “And lady. Elizabeth, will you join me? We’ll be back in a moment.”

The two women stand, and Elizabeth gives us all that somewhat-shy smile before they leave. I refrain from rolling my eyes. Nothing about that woman is shy. It’s all conniving and scheming.

“Thoughts?” Seth asks when the door closes behind them.