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I grinned. I loved being back, knowing I’d be here for weekly dinners, bickering with my siblings like we’d done since we’d been kids. I was sure we’d be doing the same well into our retirement.
Most of all, I was grateful my Maddie was right next to me. I still hadn’t let go of her hand, and I felt like holding it a while longer.
She shook her head, laughing. “Jace, sorry to break it to you, but I’m tipping the balance in the girls’ favor.”
I whipped my head to her. “No you’re not. You’re on my side.”
“I won’t automatically take your side. Only when I’m convinced it’s the right thing.”
“Ouch,” Will exclaimed.
I glared at Maddie. She returned my glare, even though her cheeks were turning a delicious pink. I would have pressed the point further, but I didn’t want her switching sides before I’d brought up my next point.
“So, since you know I’m selling the company, you know I’ll have a lot of spare cash in the near future,” I began. Maddie squeezed my hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw she was suppressing a smile.
“You could buy yourself a decent car,” Will suggested. “You know, not sensible.”
I cocked a brow. “Since when is a Mercedes sensible?”
“Since you can afford a Maserati.”
“I’ll stick to what I know,” I informed him.
“So what are you going to do with all that wad of cash exactly?” Val asked. Ah, how I enjoyed keeping her on the edge. I could tell she was wondering how she’d missed all this. Truthfully, I was surprised they didn’t know about the sale. I had to give Adam more credit. But even Adam didn’t know about my plans. I’d only shared them with my Maddie.
“I will set up an investment fund.”
“Smart,” Jace said. “What will you invest in? Real estate? The stock exchange?”
“Start-ups?” Will followed.
I shook my head. “I’m keeping my options open. I have my eyes on a very promising cosmetics company.”
I was looking directly at Val now. She opened her mouth, closed it again.
“No, no, no,” she croaked finally. “We—it’s your money, Landon.” She looked around the table helplessly. “Back me up.”
The rest of my siblings seemed as stunned as Val, but I was banking on them being less stubborn and proud. And if they were, I’d pull on my creativity. The stubborn streak was strong in the Connor clan.
“This extends to everyone, by the way. You need funding, tell me before you go to a bank or external investors.”
“The purpose of an investment fund is profits,” Jace said. “You don’t owe any of us anything, and we’re not kids anymore. You and Val did more than your fair share raising us.”
I sat up straighter. “That’s not what this is. An investment fund invests in worthwhile ventures, like our family’s future. As your older brother—”
Val held up a hand. “You can’t play the older brother card on me. We’re twins.”
“Still fifteen minutes older than you,” I reminded her. “And still 500 percent more stubborn than you.”
Val shook her head, but I saw the small smile playing on her lips. The development of the line for the department store chain was progressing well, but if she took my offer, she could expand sooner.
“At least wait until we finish dessert to start attacking my defenses,” she said.
Maddie laughed, smiling at me. “Come on, Val. Your brother is a man of opportunity. He sees an opening, he takes it.”
“By the way, the offer extends to you too, Maddie.”
She gasped, squeezing my hand. When I told her abo
