Page 96 of Falling for the Enemy

The meeting continued for another twenty minutes as strategists walked through contingencies.

Warren asked sharp questions that proved a strong understanding of the companies’ alignment. Aldrich Shipping would make a perfect mate to Hawthorne Fishery, and there was very little argument to go against their decision to move forward with the partnership.

When they finally wrapped, the senior board member and shipping mogul stood and extended his hand.

Soren shook it, the older man’s maintained strength unmistakable as Warren held on for an extended moment, then clapped Soren’s shoulder with genuine affection.

“You know,” Warren said, his voice dropping so only Soren could hear, “I was one of the first to back your father’s company. I knew Magnus as well as anyone could. He was brilliant.”

Soren’s chest seized as it always did at the mention of his father’s intellect. Yes, Magnus had been a great businessman, but that was where his greatness ended. In the end, his ideas were exceedingly outdated, and he was a cold son of a bitch in every other part of his life.

He feared Warren might be holding a little too tightly to the past.

Warren’s grip remained clamped on Soren’s shoulder. “A true visionary. But he was hard—too hard, sometimes, on the company, on himself, and especially on you boys.”

The words landed with a jolt, momentarily throwing Soren off balance.

Warren’s weathered eyes held his. “You’re a good son, taking on the family legacy like this. Magnus could never appreciate the kind of gift his legacy has wrought. To have children who actually take such an interest in the family business…” His gaze briefly drifted to Olivia. “It’s a shame he couldn’t take comfort in knowing you would step up when the time came.”

“Well, my father was always one to keep his true feelings on family matters safely exclusive from business dealings.”

“That may be true, but no protégé will ever compare to a son.”

Something shifted in Olivia’s eyes, and for a moment he pitied her. No matter how much her father might appreciate her momentary interest in the company, he would have traded it all for a firstborn son’s.

In true conventional fashion, she recovered before anyone else noticed she’d been slighted. Chin lifted, shoulders back, a sovereign in her own right.

“Your dad was too busy trying to remake you in his past image to see all the ways you might outperform him in the future,” Warren continued. “But I see you. And I respect the leader you’ve become, Soren.”

For a moment, Soren couldn’t breathe. There was something genuine in the other man’s voice and such paternal admiration was a foreign intrusion his mind couldn’t process.

He’d heard every word, but the meaning of such a statement burrowed too deep for him to follow, at least not here, in a boardroom full of associates, in front of Olivia, who absolutely noted the impact her father’s words were having on him.

The room tilted slightly, and he cleared his throat, struggling to keep his CEO mask in place and squeeze out a thank you. “Thank you, sir,” he finally managed.

Years of hungering for such validation from his own father and never receiving it didn’t just bruise a man. It left scars he’d carry for the rest of his life.

Warren released him with a smile. “I’m proud of you, son.”

Olivia cocked her head observantly, taking note of the now exposed nerve her father had struck.

Warren stepped back and gave her and Soren a proud, paternal grin. “We’ll talk about the next steps soon, but I think we both know how this is going to go. I’ll see you in Newport next month for our tee time.”

That was still weeks out, and anything could change.

Spotting Marie drifting down the hall, Soren pulled her into the conversation. “Marie, do we have everything booked for my trip out to Newport on the twenty-fourth?”

She stroked her finger across the screen of her tablet. “Yes, I reserved the private jet, and I have you flying out the night before, on the twenty-third. I booked you a suite at The Vanderbilt.”

“Thank you.” Soren smiled at Warren. “Fair warning, I don’t go easy on the course.”

Warren laughed. “Good. Neither do I.”

Marie frowned. “Sir, can I steal your attention for a second?”

“Of course. Excuse me.” Soren stepped into the hall with Marie. “What’s up?”

“You received an invitation this morning for your brother’s baby shower.” When he frowned, she explained, “These things tend to be co-ed now.”