All In Read Online Free PDF

have the most talented coworkers in the country—both women and men, recent immigrants and native-born Swedes.”
    Natalia blinked. Long, dark lashes shielded her view for a moment. “Okay,” she said calmly. A faint blush across her high cheekbones was all that was left.
    â€œAre you sure?” he asked.
    She nodded. “Yes, I let you get to me. That almost never happens.” She leaned in over the table. “Plus I feel like a hypocrite.”
    â€œHow so?” he asked, allowing himself to be drawn in by the twinkle that lingered in her eye. She was flirting with him, maybe without even being aware of it. She wasn’t the flirty type, he’d bet his business on that. He permitted himself to play along for a bit. They would soon part ways—what did it matter?
    â€œI’m sitting here talking about gender equality and hiring policies,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “But I know I’ve had huge advantages simply because of my name and my background. I know it and it embarrasses me.” She leaned even farther over the table and lowered her voice, as if she were divulging a big secret. “The fact is that I used my name just the other day. I hate it when people do that.”
    â€œAnd you did it anyway?”
    She nodded and looked so guilty that the corner of David’s mouth twitched. “How did it go?” he asked.
    She eyed him for a bit, her eyes twinkling. “Not very well,” she stated dryly.
    â€œWhat did you do?” he asked, curious despite himself.
    â€œThere wasn’t even any call for name dropping. I assume you know who Sarah Harvey is?”
    David nodded when he heard the name of the woman considered to be one of the best sopranos in the world, with a uniquely clear voice and a tremendous range. He knew who she was and also which circles she traveled in. “What does she have to do with any of this?” he asked.
    â€œShe never does tours, but she’s coming to Europe this month and is going to give one concert in all of Scandinavia, here in Stockholm. I’ve idolized her ever since I was a child and really wanted to go.”
    â€œAre you saying that you couldn’t get a ticket even though you’re a De la Grip?”
    â€œThanks for taking the time to rub salt in my wounds. No, I couldn’t, and it still stings. The arrangers weren’t impressed by me in the least.”
    â€œDid you try bribing them?”
    She jutted out her chin. “Maybe.”
    â€œSwedes aren’t that easy to bribe, if that’s any consolation,” David said, not entirely truthfully. Anyone could be bribed; it was merely a question of offering the right amount.
    â€œI guess,” she said. “I’m a quarter Russian. The Russians, now they’re easier to bribe.”
    â€œA lot easier,” David agreed. He stretched out his legs and leaned back. This lunch had already given him the information he wanted. The smart thing to do now would be to release Natalia De la Grip and move on. She wasn’t critical to closing the deal. They didn’t need to see each other again. His goal was to destroy her family. He ought to focus on the next step. That would be the smart thing to do. He watched her long fingers as she absentmindedly stroked the side of her glass. She’d taken off her jacket and was wearing a simple, sleeveless blouse underneath. She had beautiful lines, tall and strong. The pictures he’d seen of her had been mostly forgettable, but now he remembered one photo from some evening event, a dinner or a ball at the Villa Pauli Club. Her hair had been up in the same tight bun, but she wore a long red evening gown, and she looked amazing. Strong, powerful. And he convinced himself that he didn’t always need to be in such a hurry, that he could sit for another ten minutes with this woman, who really wasn’t behaving the way he’d expected.
    Â 
    Natalia noticed