Page 123 of Claimed By The Other Brother

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dax

ONE MONTH LATER..

Haven's Club is busier than usual when I arrive. The lounge is filled with members, the energy celebratory. Mark waves me over from our usual spot near the fireplace.

"Dax." He stands, shaking my hand.

"About time you showed up."

Jeff is already there, whiskey in hand.

"We were beginning to think you'd forgotten about us."

I settle into the leather chair across from them.

"Been busy."

"So we've heard." Mark signals the server.

"Whiskey neat for Mr. Blackwell."

The server brings my drink, and Mark raises his glass.

"To Jeff. Successfully closed themerger. Two companies, one vision, and somehow he made it work without bloodshed."

We toast. Jeff grins.

"It was touch and go there for a while. But the terms were fair, the leadership aligned, and we got it done."

"Impressive work," I tell him.

"How's integration going?"

"Smoother than expected. We kept most of the teams intact, just restructured reporting lines. Should see synergies by Q2."

We talk shop for a while—market conditions, acquisition opportunities, regulatory changes. The usual territory. Then Mark leans back in his chair, studying me.

"Speaking of turnarounds, the MediaLink crisis seems to be resolved. Haven't seen any negative coverage in weeks."

"We're in the clear," I confirm.

"The independent audit came back clean, investor confidence stabilized. Crisis managed."

"That consultant you brought in must have been worth the money," Jeff observes.

I take a sip of whiskey. "She was."

"She?" Mark's eyebrow raises.

"Scarlett Bradford, wasn't it? Miles's ex-fiancée?"

"Yes."

Mark and Jeff exchange glances.

"How's that working out?" Mark asks carefully.