Chapter 13: The Failure
The Cartier salesman showed them seventeen different pieces before Jordan finally understood what he was doing wrong.
He’d been trying to buy her.
Martina had stood in the exclusive private viewing room. Surrounded by velvet and glass and jewelry worth more than most people’s houses.
And she’d looked at him with something that broke his heart.
Disappointment.
“I don’t want diamonds, Mr. Blackwell,” she’d said quietly.
Her voice was steady despite the tremor in her hands.
“I don’t want you to compete with Marcus by trying to buy me prettier things. I want you to see me. Actually see me.”
“And if you can’t do that without a jewelry store as a backdrop, then we have nothing to talk about.”
She’d walked out.
Actually walked out, leaving him standing among thousands of dollars worth of precious stones.
Feeling like the poorest man in Manhattan.
That had been Monday.
Now it was Friday, and they were in Paris.
The trip had been on the calendar for three months. A meeting with the French tech consortium interested in partnering with Blackwell Enterprises on a sustainable energy initiative.
Originally, Jordan had planned to bring David and his VP of international relations.
Instead, at the last minute, he’d sent them to Singapore to handle the deal there. He informed Martina she’d be accompanying him to Paris.
She’d argued, of course.
“Mr. Blackwell, this is inappropriate. David should be handling the French negotiations, and I’m not qualified—”
“You speak fluent French.”
Jordan had interrupted.
“I heard you on a call with our Paris office last month. Your accent is perfect.”
She’d stared at him, clearly shocked that he’d noticed. That he’d remembered.
“You need me here,” she’d said finally.
“The board meeting is next week, and the preparations can wait. David can handle them. I need you in Paris, Ms. Hayes. This deal requires someone with your particular skills.”
What he hadn’t said: I need you alone.
I need you away from Marcus Ashford’s flowers and dinner invitations.
I need time to prove that I can be the man you need me to be.
I need you to give me a chance I don’t deserve.
