him to wire a quarter of a million dollars to Monte Carlo for a poker game he was playing. Perry had thought he was out of his mind, but when Ethan had doubled the money and wired back the cash, Perry had learned to never underestimate him.
Daniel shrugged.
Ethan dialed Perry’s personal cell phone number. “Perry, it’s Ethan.”
Daniel listened to snippets of the conversation and knew that Ethan would soon go for the jugular.
“We need to discuss this Adams Cosmetics deal…hmm…yes, I understand I am asking for a large sum…The bank is concerned about the risks…Have you ever known Graham International to default on a loan…Then there should be no problem with you getting this deal approved…Well, if you don’t think you can handle it…Then perhaps I should start looking at other banks…Great, I look forward to hearing from you. Please do tell Annette I said hello and enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
Daniel watched Ethan walk back to the couch with a smug expression. “Now that’s how you get things done.”
“A threat here, a threat there…”
“Perry just needed an incentive to get the job done.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, why is this so important to you?”
“If not for my father, there would never have been an Adams Cosmetics. Carter refused to compromise and so our fathers went their separate ways. We should have all been one great big happy family. The times I spent with the Adams family were some of the best of my life. There was room for everyone at the top, but my father was too pig-headed to see that.”
“And now you’re trying to make things right?” Daniel inquired. “It sounds altruistic, but I think there’s more to it than that, otherwise you wouldn’t be asking for majority interest.”
Ethan rubbed his jaw. “Well, yes, I will get something out of this arrangement.”
“When are you going to make your move?”
“Soon. In the meantime I need to get ready for the Tyler Perry premiere this evening.” He was sure a certain statuesque beauty would be present for the festivities.
Kayla stared back at her reflection in the pedestal mirror in her room. She was Daddy’s girl and looked just like him, while Shane and Courtney were the spitting image of their fair-skinned mother. She looked darn good in a one-shoulder black charmeuse gown that ruched tightly at her waist and had a front slit from floor to thigh. The silky fabric clung to her every curve. No one was going to miss seeing her this evening. Was it a little over the top for her? Yes. Courtney was usually the provocateur, while Kayla dressed more conservatively. So why was she pulling out all the stops tonight? Kayla told herself she was dressing this way for her own benefit, but in the back of her mind, she knew she was dressing this way because a certain someone was sure to attend tonight’s event and she wanted to show him what he could have had.
“You ready, sis?” Shane knocked at her door.
“Come in.”
“Wow!” Shane’s jaw dropped.
Kayla smiled at the bemused expression on Shane’s face. “You like?” She twirled around.
“You look gorgeous, but I might have to beat the men away with a stick.” Shane came to stand behind her and Kayla glanced at the reflection of them in the mirror.
Her brother was a tall drink of water in any woman’s book. He stood several inches taller than her five-foot-nine inches and had the most stunning pair of hazel eyes she’d ever laid eyes on. They never knew where he’d inherited them from, as both their parents had brown eyes. But Kayla was sure that pair had seduced many a women. And looking as dapper as he did in his tuxedo, she was sure Shane would be on the prowl tonight.
“Let’s go.” Kayla tucked her arm in his and headed for the door. When they walked down the winding staircase to the bottom of the foyer, their parents, Byron and Elizabeth, and Courtney were waiting for them.
Kayla knew some people would think it was crazy that she and her siblings hadn’t moved out of their parents’ home, but why should they move? They were a close-knit family that did everything together, and until one of them got hitched there was no need to move out. There were more than enough rooms in the eleven-room mansion that each of them had their own wing and plenty of privacy to come and go as they pleased.
“Mom.” Kayla kissed her mother. “You look beautiful.” Her salt-and-pepper hair was swept up in an elegant chignon and she wore a metallic ruffle belted jacket over a simple sheath with pearls.
“And you, missy—” Kayla glanced at her sister “—will be the belle of the ball as always.” The black animal-print gown clung to Courtney’s size-four figure before sweeping out like a mermaid’s tail to the floor. Trust her sister to show up her attempt to be a little mischievous with her front slit.
“Well, you’re not too bad yourself.” Courtney laughed. “I wholeheartedly approve.”
“Enough with all the compliments,” their father said from the front door. “We have to get going. We’re already late.”
“Hey, you can’t hurry perfection,” Kayla responded. “It takes time, Daddy, to look this good.”
“Amen!” Courtney chorused on their way out of the door.
When they arrived at the hotel where the premiere was being held, it was already in full swing. Actors, directors and the cream of Atlanta society were already milling around the ballroom in grand attire.
“Tonight would be the perfect night to mention your new perfume line,” Kayla whispered to Shane as they exited the vehicle. “You know, generate some buzz.”
“I agree,” Shane responded in her ear.
“So what’s new for Adams Cosmetics?” a reporter for the local newspaper asked once they hit the red carpet.
“It’s funny you should ask,” Kayla said, laughing, “because Adams Cosmetics will be debuting a fragrance in the coming months.”
“Perfume, that’s a new arena for Adams Cosmetics,” the reporter replied.
“True, but Adams Cosmetics has always been about beauty,” Kayla stated. “We’re in the business of making women feel good about themselves. We already have shampoos, conditioners and body products.”
“Perfume is a natural progression for us to expand into,” Shane added.
“I’m sure the public is eager to see what you have in store for us.”
“And we look forward to bringing them quality products,” Kayla replied.
Once they were done with the press bit, the Adams family separated and worked the room. Her parents went in the direction of some old friends while Courtney continued her due diligence with the press.
Kayla watched her younger sister toss her hair around for a photo op. “That went well,” Kayla said to Shane at her side.
“Yes, it did,” Shane said. “Now all I have to do is deliver
