“What can I do for you, Costa?”
“Give me everything you can find on Corinne Emerson’s financials and background, especially about a guy she dated named Riley.”
If I play this right, his loss will be my gain—at least temporarily—but the son of a bitch sounds like he deserves a punch.
“Already on it.”
“I need it by tomorrow morning.”
“You’ll have a complete rundown by six a.m.”
Not soon enough. “Get me whatever you’ve gathered by midnight. I’ll look for the rest by morning.”
Then I hang up and head home.
Time to start plotting the perfect way to take Parker down…and figure out how to handle my attraction to his little sister.
Since I was up until nearly two in the morning reading Owen’s surprisingly thorough report, I’m not thrilled when my phone starts buzzing furiously just before six. After last night, I forgot to turn the damn thing off again.
Fuck.
I grope around on my nightstand to find my cell on its charger, then squint at the screen. Maxon.
“’Ello.”
“I figured I’d wake you. Sorry.”
“So why did you?”
My oldest brother pauses. “If you haven’t been online yet today, it’s…bad.”
It takes my fuzzy brain a moment to figure out what he means. “The movie?”
“Yeah. According to social media, you’re basically the Antichrist.”
Corinne warned me. And right on cue, my phone starts buzzing again… “I’m not shocked. Are you rethinking our partnership now?”
“No. And I’ve already talked to Griff. We’re on the same page.”
The tension in my gut uncoils some, but I need to check in with Bethany and Clint, too. “Thanks.”
“It’s just…we’re thinking it might be wise to hold the announcement about the partnership and put off the launch for another month or so. We’re not backing out. We want to make that very clear. This is strictly a strategic decision. Your press isn’t great right now”—my phone buzzes with more incoming texts—“and the venture will be more successful if we’re a few weeks removed from the negative coverage.”
Nothing he’s saying is wrong. In his position, I’d probably make the same choice. We all have a ton of money tied up in this pending venture, so none of us want it to fail. But goddamn it if this isn’t just another way for Parker to still be fucking me—years later—despite the fact he slept with my fiancée and fractured our friendship. “I get it.”
“I know you’re disappointed. We are, too. But we really think—”
“You don’t have to explain.” My phone vibrates with more rapidly incoming texts, as if to underscore reality. “I really do understand.”
“I want to make sure you do. Since Griff and I didn’t speak for three years, we both know how terrible it feels to lose your brother. He acknowledges that shit was on him and we’ve made our peace, but I want you to know we’ve both learned to put family first. We’re not going anywhere. This will happen and we’re proud to call you partner.”
Just not right now. More buzzing just pisses me off. Not three seconds later, I decline an incoming call from an unknown number. I’m beyond pissed at the whole situation, but I can’t blame my brothers.
Parker is another story.
“Thanks.”
“You’re coming to brunch on Sunday, right?”
It’s become a family tradition, and he’s making sure I’m not placating him before running off to lick my wounds. His concern is nice. Considerate, even—something Maxon isn’t in business, so I know he means it. “I’ll be there.”
His sigh sounds relieved. “See you then. Call me if you need anything.”
I might need a stiff drink by noon…but right now I have priorities. “You do the same.”
“And maybe shut your phone off for a while. You know, for some peace.”
Peace is a pie-in-the-sky dream. I’m ready to make war. “See you.”
He ends the call, and I climb out of bed, toss on some sweat shorts, and dial Clint, ignoring my phone’s almost nonstop vibrations. Bethany is probably feeding a baby right now, and I know how much she values that quiet time with the children she never thought she’d have.
Her husband answers on the first ring. “Howdy.”
His North Dakota greeting isn’t at all Hawaiian, but since I’m a transplant, too, I just smile. “I need to talk to you.”
“What’s up?”
Clint is a straight shooter; always has been. I appreciate that. “We intended to announce the fact I’ve become a full partner in the firm next week. How do you feel about the timing now?”
“After reading Twitter this morning?” He drags in a heavy breath. “You’re asking me, but I think you know waiting might be wise.”
I close my eyes. My stomach plummets to my toes. “How long?”
“I don’t know. Beth and I haven’t really talked about it. A month or two? After yesterday’s trading…”
It was awful, and today is off to another bad start. Rocking the boat isn’t a good idea when investors are already spooked.
“Yeah.” I swallow down my disappointment. “If you two would rather, I’ll resign and—”