~ ~ Beatrix ~ ~

I was about to wear a hole in the plush Persian rug as I paced barefooted, worrying a hole in my cheek at the same time. Cam and Finn were rummaging around in the kitchen and the amount of curses being thrown around, clearly said they weren't freakin' happy.

But neither was I.

Cam's insistence that he was 'okay' with giving up their software for me was not sitting well. My stomach bunched in knots. He may think that today, but what about next month... next year? He was clearly not thinking straight, or rather with his heart. And Finn, he would never rock the boat with Cam. Love was suffocating his common sense.

Arrrrgh!   I wanted to tear my hair out. I had no doubt it would come back and bite me in the arse and cause resentment down the line and blow what we had to pieces.

And I couldn't...no, wouldn't let that happen.

Think. Think. Think. Fuuuuuk!

I dropped onto the bed, lying next to my empty suitcase running through my options.

Bolting upright. It hit me.

Why hadn't I thought about it before? I slapped my forehead.

Could it work? Would she be interested?

I twisted around, searching my bed for my phone. There, I grabbed it.

Door. I was up off the bed closing the door, so Cam and Finn didn't hear my conversation. Hitting Ivy's number, she picked up after the second ring.

"I haven't baked that humble pie yet," she threw out.

In hindsight, Ivy had done me a favour by encouraging Cam and Finn to come over. "Screw the pie. I need your help."

"Give me a second." I heard some shuffling and whispering. "Shoot. What do you need?"

"I need you to track down Olivia for me—if she's in Canada."

"Olivia as Olivia Peterson...Sean's sister?"

"Yep. The one and only. You still chat with Deakin, yeah?" Deakin was Olivia's personal assistant.

I hurried through my idea as she hummed in agreement. Ivy as ever was enthusiastic and of the same opinion—what did I have to lose? And it sure beat sitting here and doing nothing. I was done with letting others dictate my life. Sean Peterson could go fuck himself.

I breathed easier when Ivy said she would make a few calls and get back to me. Now I had to wait, and patience had never been my friend. Resuming pacing I dropped my hands to my side shaking my wrists and rolled my neck whilst I distracted myself playing out the conversation in my head with Cam and Finn, hoping they could see an opportunity for all three of us—if Olivia took my meeting.

The next few minutes ticked by so fucking slowly, and then my phone vibrated. "Tell me you've got something for me."

"I have, and you were right. She's in Canada for the quarterly board meeting." I knew Olivia was currently living in Paris, reshuffling their European operations.

"Yes!" My stomach tensed. We'd jumped the first hurdle. "Now I just need to get her to meet with me." I had a lot of respect for Olivia and would need to be prepared. She was a no nonsense, shrewd business woman.

"Girl, way ahead of you."

"What? You got me in?"

I could hear her smile. "Yep—got you a half-hour slot?"

"Ivy—" I danced on the balls of my feet. "You know you're outstandingly awesome?" Ideas fired off in my head. "I'm guessing I need to thank Deakin, too?"

"Yeah, and you owe me big time, girl!"

I winced, hissing through my teeth. "Do I want to know how you got me in?"

"I.O.U on a blow-job."

"What!?" I almost choked on my tongue. "You offered up sexual favors!?"

Ivy laughed. "Chill, I'm messin' with you... but I do have to go out on one date."

Deakin had been crushing on Ivy since I'd known her. But she was of the same opinion as me—never shit where you eat. "Thank you Ivy. You may have just saved my life." Yeah, a little dramatic maybe.

"Better remember that when I come calling for a favour."

My smile stretched wide. "Anything. Kidney. First-born or if need me to murder someone—just say the word!"

She laughed. 'Listen, gotta go. Fill me in later, yeah?"

"I will. Love you." Tossing my phone on the bed, I squeaked, spinning around.

"Saved your life, huh?" Cam was standing in my now open doorway, arms folded. "Anything you want to share?"

Shit! I drew away in tiny steps. "...Yeah. You might want to sit for this."

"I'm not going to like this—am I?"

I knew for a fact he would hate my idea. "I need you to listen." Finn should hear this at the same time. "Finn!" I called out. He appeared in my doorway munching on an apple.

"What's goin' on?" His eyes flicked between me and Cam.

"Sit, please." He frowned, but sat next to Cam on the bed.

"Right." I started pacing, rubbing my palms together, trying to think of the best way to approach it. "I need you both to keep an open mind."

"Just spit it out Bea. It can't be worse than anything I'm thinking right now." He looked at Finn, who shrugged.

I took a breath. "Ivy's got me in to see Olivia... Peterson."

Cam blinked rapidly, sucking in a breath. "His sister?"

"Yes. I want to make her an offer." He opened his mouth, then bit into his lip. I continued, "from what you've told me about your software, I think she will be interested in us."

"Us?" repeated Cam.

Nodding. "We both know that Sean will bury this software. He sees it as a risk." Here goes. "Olivia will see its potential." I'd watched her and Sean butt heads in the past over new business opportunities. Olivia took risks, and more often than not they'd paid off. "You, Finn and I take this to market ourselves with Olivia's backing."

Cam rose from the bed, rubbing a hand over his chin as he walked toward me. He didn't look convinced. I would need to work harder selling the idea.

"Look, if Olivia is interested. It stops Sean staking a claim or dragging you through the courts." It wasn't a win-win, but it was better than walking away with nothing.

"So you don't want us to hand over the software to Sean, but you're willing to hand it over to his sister?"

"No—not hand it over." I took a step toward him. "You will need backing and funding and if she can see what I see, then I think she will jump on the opportunity." It was a long shot.  "Olivia isn't risk averse." And my final selling point. "And her and Sean don't see eye to eye."

His eyes dropped as he continued to rub across his chin. I could hear the scrape of his stubble.

Cam needed time to think as I shifted my gaze on Finn, hoping he might see the potential. He rose from the bed too, walking over to the bin to drop in his apple core.

"So when you say us... you mean a partnership between us?" Finn Finn gestured between the three of us. "Start a business together?"

"Yes. I want in."

A slow smile spread across Finn's lips. At least I didn't have to convince him to let me partner with them. Shock rippled through me and an unexpected, pleased feeling. My end game had always been to start up my own business and with Cam and Finn, I could do that... or we could do that.

"Do you trust me Cam?" I pressed my lips together, heat crawled up my throat.

Cam slowly blinked as his focus returned to me. "Trust you?"

"Yes."

"I'll always trust you, Bea," His brow softened. "C'mere," he moved toward me, wrapped his arms around me as I buried my face in his neck. "It's the Peterson's I don't trust."

Shocker! "I love you Cam but please let me try to make the best out of an impossible situation that I put us in." The pressure was building in my chest.

"I love you, too." He stroked his hand down my back.

Cam's head turned and looked at Finn. "Get over here."

Finn moved toward us, and we all circled our arms around each other, pressing our heads together. "I say we try Trix's way," Finn spoke lowly.

A relieved breath left me as we stood together for a few minutes. "Lets sit," said Cam. He separated and tossed the suitcase from the bed, then pulled me toward it. I climbed on and sat cross-legged in the middle of the big bed, and Finn and Cam joined me on either side.

Cam's fixed his stare on Finn. "All three of us need to agree."

I reached for both their hands, our warm fingers curled around each other and this felt good. The three of us making our first huge decision... together.

"I say let's go for it. Trix gets my vote." He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Love you," he whispered.

"Love you too," I threw back and he smiled.

Cam lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I'm in too. It's the three of us." 

My eyes flared wide as my heat beat at a reckless pace spreading excitement like a drug right through me. "I need you to tell me everything about the software and your projections and business plans."

Finn was up off the bed. "Yeah, I have a demo version in the cloud. Can I use your iPad?"

"Yeah, it's on the sofa." He went off in search.

Holy shit. We were doing this.

~ ~

Three hours later, I was riding up in the elevator to see Olivia. Stale air crawled down my throat as more chilled air was pumped into the small space. I hoped to Christ Sean didn't get wind of my arrival...yet.  But he shouldn't because their offices were on different floors.  Olivia was more hands on than Sean, nose to the ground. And I was also betting she knew nothing of the deal that Sean had offered me.

Coming out of the lift, I launched into motion. Head high. Confident strides. Some people did a double take when they saw me, but none approached. Rounding the corner, I saw the door to the front office open. Deakin was inside, sat at his desk. He waved me in.

"No, Ivy?" His eyes flicked over my shoulder with hopeful glances.

"No, but said to say hello."

"His posture dipped for a fraction before he sat up straight. "It's good to see you, Miss Anders."

"Please Deakin, Trix is fine."

He rose from behind his desk. "C'mon, come through." Following, he opened the door and stood aside. I smiled as I passed him.

Olivia was on the phone as she held up her hand to point to a chair. With one quick nod, I heard the door click closed behind me.

Olivia and Sean were twins, but opposites in every way. She was tawny to his charcoal with her golden highlights brushed to a glossy sheen hanging over one shoulder. Olivia had a natural warmth, and I'd rarely heard a bad word muttered about her and when I had, it had usually come from Sean or Sadie.

Dropping my bag, I sat myself down. Olivia finished her call.

"Beatrix," she greeted cheerily. "You look amazing. London suits you." Her full lips curved into a curious smile. "Or perhaps it's the lack of my brother's influence has let you bloom?"

She pushed out her chair and made her way toward me. I rose from my seat and offered my hand. She waved it off and pulled me in for a hug. "No need for formality."

"Thank you, Olivia. You look well too." She did. She and Sean were different, but both equally attractive... stunning. Olivia was classical with her wide-set eyes, sleek brows and high cheeks flushed with a natural peach radiance.

Stepping back, she glanced behind her and took the seat closest to me as she motioned for me to sit. "Before you start, I've heard the rumours and I'm hoping your glow is not what I'm thinking."

Fuck. She'd heard.

"No, I'm not pregnant. And it's most definitely not on my to do list!"

She clicked her tongue and returned a feral grin. "Thank Christ. So what can I do for you?"

Sitting up straight, I inhaled slowly and then gave her the run-down of Sean's offer.

I'd been right on the mark. She hadn't known about his offer. Although truthfully, I never thought he could get it past the board.

Her head cocked to the side when I'd finished, eyes narrowing as if trying to size up brother's true intentions. "Selfish asshole. He had no right to make such an offer." I could taste her outrage. "And no disrespect to you, Beatrix, but I'm damn sure the board would have vetoed it."

"I want to go it alone. Well, me and two other partners. It's why I'm here today. To make you an offer."

She sat back in her chair.  Sharp intelligence shone in her eyes as she studied me. "Let's hear it."

I dove right in and if I say so; I thought I sold the idea exceptionally well. Keeping my presentation short and to the point, I waited for her response to my offer.

Silence.

"I will admit it sounds interesting," she finally piped up. But I could see the excitement behind her collected gaze.

She was interested.

About to ask if she had questions, the door was flung open, slamming into the wall, the handle denting the plasterboard.

And in walked the man himself.

"What the hell are you doing here, Beatrix?" He said my name like he was murdering it between his teeth, His dark eyes narrowed on me.

Oh, it pissed off him to see me chatting to his sister. I took a breath and steeled my spine.

"Heard of knocking?" bristled Olivia, but Sean barely glanced her way, waving off her question.

"I asked you a question, Beatrix." Once upon-a-time that tone would have made my pussy weep and knees weaken.

But not anymore.

I rose from my chair. "I came to see Olivia." I turned toward her to see her lips twitch, only once, but I caught it and for such a small action, it had a profound effect on me. She was enjoying this—getting under his skin.

"In my office—Now!" he demanded.

I restrained an eye roll. My smile held its shape as I ground my back molars together turning my smile, softening it, toward Olivia. "I hope you will give it consideration." I dipped and swiped my handbag from the floor.

"Send me over the business plan." She glanced at Sean, then back to me. "I'll look forward to reading it." She rose and hugged me again, whispering in my ear. "Don't back down."

Backing down wasn't an option.

Sean stormed out of the room, and I followed. Eyes were all over us as we headed toward the lift. His anger was palpable, but it did nothing to me. It felt like I was wearing a cloak of indifference.

Stepping from the lift, I had to lengthen my stride to keep up.

"Hold my calls, Ms Taylor," he snarled, passing his secretary. She nodded her head, creasing her dark brows, glaring at me.

What the fuck was her problem?

"Close the door, Beatrix," he barked out.

I took my sweet arsed time in doing so, smiling at Ms Taylor. I may still do as he asked, but I would dance to my own tune. "Sean—" I turned to face him.

"You don't speak Beatrix." I averted my eyes, not out of deference but out of irritation.

"No Sean. I don't play your game any longer."

"This game ends when I say it ends."

We stood facing off, but I knew doubt came in the form of silence and slowly I let my smile curve upward. "My answer is no and I want out, Sean."

His eyes flashed wide, staring like he'd never seen me before. And perhaps this version of me he hadn't. I was always submissive in his eyes. "No," he snapped.

"You can't manipulate me or blackmail me, Sean. I'm leaving Canada."

His lips arched into a feral smile. "I've never lied to you, Beatrix."

Maybe... but his version of the truth was somewhat self-serving. "Sean, everything you do is manipulation."

"Maybe, but I've always been transparent."

True. I sighed. I didn't want this to escalate, and I knew he loved a challenge and the fight. I softened my tone. "I don't want to fight you or Sadie. You both mean a lot to me...but I can't be what you need any longer." Inserting a breath, adding. "I want, no, I need more, Sean."

"I've already told you I'll give you anything you want."

My voice remained calm and steady. "But that's not true Sean. You can't."

"You're not thinking straight!" he bellowed, his eyes dark and fierce.

"I'm thinking clearer than I've ever done, and I know I want everything. I want what you and Sadie have. Don't I deserve that, Sean? Don't I deserve to be loved completely? Be someone's everything?" His mouth opened, then closed, the lines around his eyes softened. "If you ever cared for me..." I let my words hang between us.

I'd stunned him into silence. Another first. But not for long, as he shifted direction. "What the fuck was that upstairs—with Olivia?"

I would not discuss my business with him. I reached inside my bag and pulled out a letter. "This is my resignation letter." I held it out, but he remained frozen refusing to acknowledge it. I dropped my eyes but could feel his on me as I walked toward his desk, placing it gently down.

"You're making a mistake," he said, but his anger was gone.

We could go around in circles all day. "I'm grateful to you both for everything these last four years, both professionally and personally, but I need to stand on my own."

"Is this because of him?" Him left his mouth in a scalding, almost septic, spiteful way.

"Not just him, Sean. There is someone else too... Finn. It's the three of us."

His stance stiffened. It was rare that I shocked him. "Three?"

I didn't answer. I could see my words were more than just a stab. It twisted the knife.

"Don't make me hate you, Sean. Don't punish Cam or dirty my memories of what we had." I was done here, turning as I moved toward the door.

He launched into action. Six decisive steps, and he was standing in front of me, gripping my chin between his thumb and fingers, forcing my face back up to his as he searched for the truth.

He saw it.

His eyes swept across my face, studying me. "If you're going to try, go all the way—"

"—Otherwise, don't even start." I finished the quote. "Bukowski." One of my favourite authors.

He stepped away, his thick brows drew over his eyes and I sensed the change. The shift. He was finally accepting my decision. He was letting me go. Whether he would pursue his agenda to ruin Cam and perhaps me...well, that remained to be seen.

"Goodbye Sean." I pressed my hand to his chest, splaying my fingers to feel his heartbeat match mine, beat for beat. "Thank you."

A deep sigh and I dropped my hand, and he turned and opened the door and I walked through it with my head held high.

I'd done it. I was on my own. No, not on my own. I had Cam and Finn.

Today was the start of a real future, and the possibilities seemed pretty damn bright.

* * * * * *

A/N:  Hello All.  There won't be an update Wednesday 1st June.  Next update will be Wednesday 8th with the Final Chapter and Epilogue posted together.  I've loved writing this book but all good things come to an end...  see you on the 8th. Love to all.