Free Chandler: A Standalone Contemporary Romance by Laurelin Paige Page A

happens with Werner Media seems to be a concern for both of us. For our business.”
    “And I’m taking care of it. Hence the reason I’ve been interested in Accelecom. Warren is still unaware that I hold controlling interest, and I’d prefer to let him designate his replacement without ever finding out. But he wants it to be Edward Fasbender. Obviously, I’m opposed.”
    “Right.” I’m actually not sure what’s obvious about his opposition, but I decide to play along. I’ve learned that sometimes the only way to get Hudson to divulge information is to pretend I’m in the know. It’s got a fifty-fifty success rate, but it’s better than any other odds with the man. “It’s a shame, though. Accelecom could bring a great deal to Werner Media.”
    “I know this. It’s why I met with him today. I’m looking for an ideal compromise.”
    I’m suddenly annoyed. Annoyed that I’ve been kept in the dark, but even more annoyed that my brother obviously doesn’t trust me to help him get through this sticky situation.
    With one giant gulp, I finish my whisky and set the glass down on the table beside me. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my thighs. “That sucks, Hudson. You have a lot on your plate right now. You should be at home with your wife and children. You know what would be awesome? If you had someone you could rely on to take your place in these negotiations.” Sitting up, I give him a dramatic wide-eyed expression. “Oh, wait! You do!”
    He hesitates. “Chandler…I appreciate the offer, but this is not a situation that you need to worry yourself with.”
    “Because you want to be Mr. Micromanager and make sure it all works out the way you see best. I can handle more than just managing a couple of corporations based in Iowa. Has it ever crossed your mind that, although you might not agree with my methods, I might be perfectly capable of attaining the same outcome?”
    “No, it hasn’t.”
    Jesus, sometimes I could just choke him. “Well, consider it. Asshat.”
    “I’m not going—”
    He’s interrupted by Trish’s voice over the intercom. “Mr. Pierce, your wife is on the line for you.”
    Hudson stands and crosses to the desk where he pushes the button on his phone to respond to his secretary. “Thank you, Patricia.” He glances at his watch, which makes me glance at my watch—it’s just after five. “Go ahead and head on out. I’ll lock up.”
    “Sure thing, Mr. Pierce.”
    I stretch out on the couch, my hands laced behind my head and propped up on the arm so I can watch as Hudson clicks off the intercom and picks up the receiver.
    “Alayna,” he says, sinking into his chair. “I’m sorry. I meant to be home before now. I got caught up. Have you gotten any sleep?” He pauses for her response, and I can imagine that as a mother of two newborns and a preschooler, the answer is no. “Can Roxie take Mina to the park while Jenn takes the twins for a little while so you can get a nap?”
    Another pause, and I realize that my sister-in-law isn’t the only one who isn’t sleeping—Hudson looks terrible.
    “Yes. I know, precious,” he says now. “It’s not easy. But I have to go to that awards dinner I told you about. Maybe I could send Chandler home to entertain Mina.”
    “Or you could send Chandler to the dinner in your place,” I prod, unconcerned that he’ll now realize I’ve been listening to his conversation. Also unconcerned with that stack of work I’d meant to get to. It can wait another day.
    “Right. It’s not the same. I understand.” He glares up at me, and based on the tightness in his jaw, I think I might actually have won. It almost makes up for my previous loss with Genevieve.
    Okay, not almost. Not even close. But it’s something.
    I sit up, my brows raised.
    “Tell you what,” he says to his wife. “Give me a few minutes to shift things around. Then I’ll be yours for the evening.”
    Uh, wow. Not sure how that happened, but right on.
    He hangs