The Harder They Fall Read Online Free PDF

She wouldn’t.
    “Darcy, you have another table—what’s wrong?”
    Darcy looked up through a blur of tears. Anthony stood in the doorway, looking helpless.
    She gave him a shaky smile. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
    “Like hell,” he said gruffly, patting her shoulder. “What’s the matter?”
    His kindness was the last straw. Before she could stop herself, she was blurting out the entire story. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone, Anthony! I . . . I just want to keep the only thing left of m-my m-mother’s. I swear, if I can convince my father to let me run the business, I’ll match all of the benefits that s-stupid company is offering.”
    “Sure you will, kid.”
    Darcy swatted the moisture from her face and looked up. That’s when she realized that several of the employees had joined them. Anthony glared down every single one of them. One by one, their expressions became slightly shamefaced. Then, amazingly, they looked at her differently. Kindly. Compassionately.
    “I swear it!” she repeated for good measure. “You’ll be better off with me.”
    Slowly they each smiled at her. Darcy wanted to cry again, only this time out of pure joy.
    Tom appeared in the doorway, and the chatter came to a screeching halt. “What the hell is this, a convention?”
    Everyone scrambled to leave, but Tom stopped them. “Actually, I’m glad you’re all here.” He looked at Darcy with sympathy.
    Her stomach fluttered. “What is it?” she whispered.
    “Your father’s here, Darce.”
    She jumped up, smiling. “Daddy’s here? Where?”
    “Seated in your section.”
    “Oh, no! Tom, how could you?”
    “It wasn’t my fault. Davidson must have arranged it.”
    “Davidson?” she squeaked, dread a palpable thing inside her.
    “They’re having dinner together.”
    “That rat!” Darcy cried. “That dirty, rotten, no-good, slimy snake. He’s doing this on purpose. He’s going to try to show my father that I can’t even handle a simple meal. I’ll kill him!”
    “Now, Darcy, calm down,” Tom said. “You know what happens when you get upset.”
    “No. What?”
    He waved. “Never mind. Listen, we’ll all help you. Won’t we, folks?” he asked, staring down everyone in the room. One by one, bless them, they nodded.
    Tom grinned. “Good.” He grasped Darcy’s shoulders. “Take a deep breath and go get ’em, tiger.”
    Michael watched Darcy approach and he mentally rubbed his hands together. This was a stroke of pure luck, and he didn’t want to miss a minute of it. When Darcy’s father had contacted Michael and invited him to dinner, Michael had agreed in a heartbeat. But he’d had no idea the man had called ahead and specified seating in his daughter’s section. One look at Darcy waiting tables and Edward Welham would probably sign the papers tonight.
    Michael realized he was risking his life for the sake of his company, but it was a risk worth taking. His boss had all but told him that he needed this acquisition to secure his new position. He could almost picture his diplomas hanging on the wall of that plush, large, corner office.
    But more than that office, he wanted to see the pride in his mother’s eyes when she learned about the promotion. And he wanted to shove his business card with his new title down his damned grandfather’s throat.
    He closed his eyes, swallowing the anger. And the guilt. And the overwhelming need to prove that his birth wasn’t a mistake.
    Opening his eyes, he glared at Darcy, the one woman standing between him and his ultimate goal. For a total klutz, she sure had a graceful air about her. Too bad she was the enemy. He didn’t relish making a fool of her in front of her father. But business was business. He hadn’t gotten to his position by letting a pair of kissable lips and great breasts distract him.
    Michael’s face went warm when he realized he’d been thinking about that kiss too often in the last two days. And nights. Edward Welham was a little rough