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Gian glanced up from his laptop. “I was wondering when you’d stop by. How was the deep-sea fishing?”
Rogen fought a wince over the lie he’d told. “Yielded excellent results. We have the scotch.” Why beat around the bush? He could tell by his father’s steely gaze he knew what his boys were up to.
That steely gaze slid from Rogen to Vin. Then landed on Rogen again. “In your back pocket?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. It’s with Jewel,” Rogen said. “Until you agree to honor your handshake.”
Rogen’s father let out a sharp laugh. “I will admit that I’m impressed by her resourcefulness. But why are you helping her to acquire land that’s rightfully yours as well, Rogen, by inheritance?”
“Because it’s rightfully mine, by inheritance. And I have plans for it, since you and Anthony haven’t come to terms with developing the property. As it happens, Jewel has a purpose for it, too. Both of our ideas complement each other. So we’d like to go into business together.”
Gian stared. Hard. For several incredibly long, incredibly uncomfortable moments.
Finally, he snapped the lid of his computer closed and stood. “I believe I’ve made it abundantly clear that there will be no more Angelini-Catalano joint ventures. Business or otherwise.”
Rogen sighed with exasperation. “With all due respect, you can’t dictate what transpires between Jewel and me personally. Or professionally. Not when we’ve agreed to use our own funds for the entire transaction and leverage our lines of credit outside of Angelini, Inc, and Catalano Enterprises for the inn and winery.”
His father looked taken aback. “An inn and a winery?”
“Those are the plans,” Rogen told him.
Gian gave this consideration, then nodded. “Very intelligent decisions.”
Some of Rogen’s tension eased. “Then you’ll release the land so she and I can move forward?”
“No.”
The tension returned full force. “No?”
“No,” Gian confirmed. Took his seat. Opened his laptop.
Anger flashed though Rogen. Why was his father being so damn obstinate? It couldn’t possibly just be over Anthony Catalano wanting to build a marketplace that would have brought in more profits than Gian’s desired concept for all that acreage.
Rogen said, “We’re willing to buy the property—not even asking you to deed your portion outside of the trusts. You’ll make a nice chunk of change on property that’s just sitting there, costing you taxes and county assessments every year.”
“I’ve already explained my reasoning. Don’t ask me again.”
Now Rogen stewed. His temper flared. “Then the decanter stays with Jewel. Angelini scotch in the hands of a Catalano.”
He whirled around and stalked off. Knowing his father would stew over the parting shot.
* * *
Vin took a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Said to Gian, “They really do have a solid theory. They discussed it on our little adventure to get the scotch. Laid quite a bit of groundwork. Mapped out a strategy. Consulted on finances.”
“All with your help?” Gian challenged.
“I stayed out of the conversation. Only answered legal questions. I told them it was a conflict of interest for me, so I didn’t pen any agreements for them.”
“I appreciate your loyalty,” Gian commented. “Though I’m not pleased to know that you do have an involvement with their endeavor.”
“I didn’t think you would be,” Vin admitted, his gut coiling. “But my presence on the trip has no bearing on Angelini, Inc., operations. We went for the scotch, as Jewel had told you she’d acquire it for you.”
“And Rogen told her—and you—that I intended to keep the decanter, compensate Jewel for it, and end our arrangement there?”
“Yes, sir.”
With a shake of his head, Gian said in a disgruntled tone, “That girl always was good at wrapping him around her finger.” He let out a harsh breath. “Rumor has it, she has the same effect on you. Something I’m also not pleased about.”
