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When he reached the kitchen, he found Ace munching on a sandwich. “I had the chef make one for you,” Ace said, sliding the plate toward him, along with a can of diet cola.
“Thanks.” Grateful, Jake pulled up a chair and dug in.
The two men ate in silence. When they’d finished, Jake eyed the man he’d come to think of as his brother. “How was your grandbaby?”
Ace’s eyes sparkled. “Beautiful. Smaller than I imagined, but I’m told that’s how newborns are.”
“I can only imagine,” Jake replied. “Want to do something this afternoon?”
“We’re having a board meeting today,” Ace said, his tone apologetic. “Since you might someday be part of this company, I thought you might want to sit in.”
“Payne invited me earlier, and I’ve been thinking about it. Won’t they mind?” Jake asked. “The rest of the board?”
“Nope. I’ve already cleared it with them. And since I’m no longer CEO, I’ll just be there as an observer anyway.”
Jake shrugged. “Sounds good.” He shifted his weight from one side to the other, trying to stretch and wincing at the sharp stab of pain. “As long as I can sit down. My ribs are really hurting me.”
“There are chairs.” Grinning, Ace checked his watch. “You have just under thirty minutes to get cleaned up and ready to go. Did you bring a suit?”
“A suit?” Jake looked at him as if he’d suggested going in costume. “I only own one suit that I wear to funerals or weddings. It’s hanging in my closet back home at my ranch.”
Ace laughed. “I don’t think we’re the same size, but I’ve probably got a pair of slacks and a dress shirt you can borrow. And I’ll let you choose the tie.”
The slacks were a little loose, but a belt took care of that. The shirt felt a little tight, though it would do. Since Jake and Ace had completely different shoe sizes, Jake had to wear his best set of boots. He chose a dark blue, nondescript tie.
When he made it downstairs, Payne was also waiting, since Ace would be driving him as well. He smiled when he saw Jake. “Glad you decided to come,” he said, leaning on an elaborately carved cane. “Ace wanted me to use a wheelchair, but I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“As long as you promise to use that cane,” Ace interjected. “The last thing you need right now is a fall.”
Payne shook his head, but he didn’t argue.
This time, they were taking one of Payne’s vehicles, a large, black Mercedes. Ace drove, and Payne took shotgun, leaving Jake to ride in the back. He didn’t mind. He was just glad they were letting him participate.
Ace dropped Payne off at the front entrance before parking in a spot marked Reserved for P. Colton. “I used to have my own spot,” he commented. “I’m really hoping that the reason Payne asked me to come today is because he’s planning to ask the board to give me my job back. Especially since I was cleared of any crime.”
Jake had read up on how Ace had been accused of shooting his own father and gone on the run. “Makes sense,” he agreed. “That must have been hell.”
“It was a nightmare. But the one good thing that came out of it made it all worthwhile. I’d never have met Sierra otherwise.”
They walked inside. Ace nodded to the receptionist before striding to the elevator. He punched the up button, and the doors immediately opened.
“Are you nervous?” Ace asked.
“Not really. I thought I might be, but I’m actually looking forward to seeing how these kinds of things work.”
“They’re never boring, that’s for sure.” The doors opened and they stepped out. “Come on.”
Several people were already seated at a long, highly polished wooden table. Jake recognized Payne and Selina, Ace’s ex-stepmother, along with Marlowe, Ainsley, and Rafe. Jake was glad he’d met them.
“Ace,” Payne boomed. “I’m glad you’re here. And welcome, Jake. So good to see you.” As if he hadn’t ridden in with them.
All of the others echoed his welcome. Except Selina, who simply eyed him with one brow raised.
Once Ace and Jake had taken seats in a grouping of chairs away from the table, Payne got down to business.
“I called this meeting the minute my doctor released me to get a little work done,” Payne said. “I want Ace reinstated as CEO, if the board will vote to rescind the blood Colton clause. If not, I will dismantle the company.”
Several people shifted in their seats, but no one dissented.
