Controlling Interest Read Online Free

— what — what do you mean, what do I think? I think you’re crazy.” Matt wanted to howl with laughter. He was supposed to work with a little girl who looked like Gidget and — magna cum laude or not — seemed to have the attention span of an ADHD flea?
    Tubberville picked up a slab of ribs dripping with sauce. “Well, it doesn’t matter what you think after all. It’s my company. Or rather, mine and Natalie’s. I bought it with the intention of setting her up to be your partner and giving her twenty-five percent if she decides she likes it. So work with her or take your agency into bankruptcy — and I’ll hire another PI to find Yasmine.”

CHAPTER
TWO
    N atalie felt her mouth drop open. “Daddy, are you serious?” Matt Hogan put his hands in his hair. “Tubberville, you can’t give away my company to a girl !”
    But the jail door had just swung open, and Natalie wasn’t about to let it clang shut in her face again. After two years in the Tunica County Sheriff’s Department, she was profoundly aware of the triple strikes of youth, femininity, and blonde hair — and bulldog determined to overcome all three.
    Who did this guy Matt Hogan think he was? Maybe she’d experienced a light-headed moment at that big flashing grin, but she knew better than to trust her hormones. Forrest Gump’s mama had it right. You could count on every box of chocolates hiding at least one slimy cherry-surprise center, no matter how delectable the outside might look.
    â€œGirl?” she said politely, staring into Matt Hogan’s incredulous hazel eyes. “There are no girls here. There’s only me — a woman who now owns twenty-five percent of your agency. I suggest you play nice.”
    â€œPlay nice?” he echoed. “Play nice? ” He pressed his lips together, revealing a couple of deep dimples. She could see the cogs spinning in his brain. This was not a stupid man. Finally he shrugged and stood up, dropping his napkin onto the sticky pile of ribs in front of him. “My best friend just married the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, so we’ll see how long this cockeyed deal holds up. I suggest you take your Barbies back to Tunica, or wherever you came from, and let me take care of my agency.”
    â€œMy Barbies — ”
    â€œThanks for dinner, Eddie — ” Hogan nodded at Natalie’s dad — “but I’m not hungry anymore. I’ll start interviewing people at the airport tomorrow and see if I can find your girl.” He smirked at Natalie. “The other girl.”
    Daddy calmly wiped barbecue sauce off his chin. “Hate to tell you this, bud, but you don’t have the case without my ‘other’ girl.”
    â€œThen I don’t need it. I’m outta here.”
    By the time Natalie found her tongue, Hogan was halfway across the restaurant, headed for the door.
    Daddy chuckled. “I like that boy.”
    â€œHow can you say that? Did you hear that condescending, chauvinistic tone of voice? Did you see the way he looked at me?”
    â€œHe looked at you the same way every male outside the family has looked at you since you turned twelve.”
    â€œThat’s what I mean. Nobody takes me seriously.”
    Daddy didn’t look the least sympathetic. “Then you’ll just have to prove him wrong. Beat him to the punch.”
    â€œYou mean find Yasmine first?” Natalie sat up straight.
    â€œThere’s a pretty good incentive. Abid is offering a finder’s fee of fifty grand.”
    â€œFifty- thousand ? Dollars? Holy schmoly. I could buy out your part of the agency with that!”
    â€œNot quite,” Daddy said dryly. “But at least you could afford the insurance on your car.”
    â€œI told you I’d pay you back — ”
    â€œNever mind, I’m just kiddin’ you, sweetheart. Use the money for