Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1) by Jodi Ashland

the best mentor of them all: Gran.
     

     
    JOSHUA GREENBERG RAISED an eyebrow when he stepped onto the forty-second floor of the classy high rise. Very nice. With the intellectual property this company held, he understood why Johansson Tek wanted to acquire Synergy Technologies. An acquisition this large would line his wallet rather nicely. The receptionist sent him up to the forty-second floor, where the executive secretary sat at a mahogany desk.
    “May I help you?”
    “Yes,”—he glanced down at the name plate—“Marge. I’m here to see Jade Buchanan.”
    “Do you have an appointment, Mr…?”
    “Greenberg, ma’am, and no I don’t. I was in the area and thought I’d see if Jade was available. The receptionist told me I should see you.”
    “Let me check with Jade’s assistant.” She smiled graciously and picked up her phone. “Roz, Mr. Greenberg is here to see Miss Buchanan. He doesn’t have an appointment.” Marge’s forehead furrowed ever so slightly, but he caught it. “I see. Yes, he’s here at my desk now.”
    “Mistah Greenberg.” A real looker in her early twenties walked up to him with one arm on her hip and smacking gum. Unlike Marge, who was dressed conventionally, this woman looked sexy as hell in a black miniskirt with mile-high heels and a low-cut emerald shirt. Flaming red curls haphazardly framed her freckled face. “I’m Roz, Jade’s assistant. Sorry, but Jade is busy and doesn’t have time to see ya. She said she’s not interested in your offah.”
    Joshua’s eyebrows rose again. He reached for Roz’s hand and covered it in both of his. “Jade wouldn’t turn away someone who’s traveled across the country to see her, now would she?” He flashed his most charming of smiles, the one that disarmed women.
    “She’s made it very cleah.” Roz left her hand in his. “She doesn’t want to—”
    “I’ll make a call and get right back—” Jade stopped as she stepped out of an office. Her eyes grew wide. “Mr. Greenberg. What are you doing here?”
    “Jade, it’s good to see you. I have something very important I need to discuss with you.”
    “I’m sorry, I’m busy.” Jade glanced back into the office, then walked away.
    Joshua followed. “You’ve offered me no alternative but to get on a plane and fly all the way out here. You’ve refused all my calls.”
    Jade stopped outside another office. “There’s a reason for that. I told you. I’m not interested in selling.”
    “I have new information that may make you re-evaluate.”
    “And what new information is that?” She stepped into the office and sat down behind a large executive desk. This must be her office. He glanced around at the classy cherry furnishings and old books. Must have been her grandmother’s. He wasn’t fooled by Jade’s pantsuit, pearl necklace, and hair tied in a tight bun. The girl he’d seen in California wearing jean shorts, sandals, and four studs in her ears wouldn’t normally wear this ensemble.
    Joshua sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “It’s come to my attention that your company is in financial trouble.”
    Jade’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you that?”
    “I don’t divulge my sources.” He had an inside board member of Synergy Technologies already working the other board members to get a consensus to sell.
    She clamped her hands on her desk and pursed her lips. “I can assure you, it’s none of your business.”
    “Perhaps it is, and perhaps it isn’t. I’ve been approved to extend our original offer for your company. If you wait too long and the company goes into distress, you’ll only be able to sell it for pennies on the dollar.”
    “I’ve told you before. I’m not interested in selling.”
    “Please be reasonable, Jade. This is a huge offer.”
    “And you stand to make a huge commission. This conversation is over.” Jade stood and pointed out the doorway.
    “The offer is worth millions, Jade.”
    “She said get out.” A man’s