Hannah's Chance (Chapter 5) (fm:sex at work, 5664 words) [5/5] show all parts

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Hannah hesitated, unsure how to respond. He gestured for her to sit and offered her a drink. She sat down, but declined the drink. Rossi sat down opposite her.

"I hope you're impressed with the Keller introduction," he said, his tone smooth, almost indulgent. "Proof that I deliver, that I do what I say. If you and Maria play your cards right, there's good business there for both of you."

Hannah kept her gaze steady, refusing to be drawn in. "I'm here for Tanaka. And the scarab beetle."

Rossi swirled his whisky, ice clinking. "Of course you are." He leaned back, studying her. "Are you sure you won't have that drink?"

Hannah shook her head, impatience flickering. "Just tell me what you know."

Rossi smiled. "It's very warm in here," he countered. "Why not take your jacket off? When you're feeling more comfortable we can talk about Tanaka."

Hannah kept her jacket on. "The scarab beetle," she pressed. "Who is he?"

Rossi sighed, setting his glass down. "You want to know everything, but don't want to give anything in return."

Hannah leaned forward, her voice low and urgent. "You offered Tanaka intel. Give me the scarab beetle's identity, and I'll ensure you get brokerage fees on Keller's deal."

Rossi smiled again. "You need to sit back and relax," he said. "Take your jacket off and the conversation will flow more freely."

Hannah knew she needed to act. She slid the jacket from her shoulders and draped it over the arm of a chair. "That's better," he murmured. "Now I've got encouragement to start talking." She sat back and looked at him expectantly.

"The first thing you need to know is that Tanaka's board is fractured. Half want to cut losses; half want radical reinvention."

Hannah stayed silent, absorbing this. It explained the broker's urgency.

"You're no doubt dealing with Chen, their VP. But Chen can't act without board approval and that isn't forthcoming right now."

Hannah nodded slowly. This aligned with Chen's evasiveness during their Milan show encounter. "And the scarab beetle? I assume he's their broker. Wouldn't he need board approval too?"

Rossi's smile sharpened. "Ah, that's where you're on the wrong path." He let the silence stretch, savoring it.

Hannah fought the urge to lean closer. "Explain."

"The scarab beetle isn't their broker," he said at last. "And he isn't trying to broker a deal with you."

Hannah froze. "Then who is he? And what does he want?"

"The scarab's interest is certainly in Tanaka. But he doesn't answer to the board. He isn't bound by their factions or their indecision. He answers only to himself." Rossi leaned back, swirling the whisky, letting the words hang like smoke. "That's why he can demand proof from you so brazenly. Because if he's convinced, he'll make sure the board

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Hook writes Tue 21 Oct 2025 20:27:

Brilliant writing!

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