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“I wouldn’t do that to you,” Hamilton scolded me. “I am merely pointing out that I have been an ally and can be again.”
“But you need help.”
Because why else would he seek me out? We certainly weren’t the kind of family to exchange Christmas cards, much less phone calls, unless someone needed something.
“That’s a very cynical attitude,” Hamilton said as he finished the cheese Danish. “Then again, I know how Jason was with you. Particularly after, and I’m sure Sable wasn’t much help.”
Man, just twist the knife or shove it in a little deeper. Either way, I was done with the conversation. “I’m three sips away from finishing this coffee and then I’m getting up and walking away. After, you’re going to forget seeing me or chatting with me. So, if you want something, you’re going to tell me now, without the verbal song and dance. I didn’t like pony shows when I was ten and I like them even less now.”
“Very well.” Hamilton dabbed his mouth with the fresh napkin the waiter brought by and then leaned forward. “I need one of your shell corporations. I’m launching a new venture and—”
“Fine, I’ll have the documents drawn up and sent to the usual address.” I really didn’t want any more details. In fact, the less I knew the better. As it was, I’d be hard-pressed not to hand him one that the SEC or some other federal entity hadn’t taken a passing interest in. “You’ll have them by five o’clock.”
Though I rather suspected she’d already paid the bill, I still counted out two twenties and tucked them under a plate for the waiter. He’d been exceptional and discreet. He’d also utterly ignored Hamilton after I’d waved him off.
“That’s it?” Hamilton looked almost perplexed.
“Would you like me to make it more difficult?” It didn’t surprise me when he stood as I did. One did not simply surrender the position of power. He held out his hand, but I ignored it.
As he said, he might have been an ally once and could be again, but we were not friends or allies currently. Lips pursed, he braced his hands on the back of the chair. “I have one more request.”
“Tick,” I said with a glance at my watch. “Tock.”
If, for any reason, Drew doubled back to check on me, I did not need her to see me talking to this walking fashion magazine reject. The older he got, the more his hairline receded and the younger his dates became. That was one of the only mildly disgusting things about him. As far as I knew, he wasn’t a pedophile or part of Warrick’s crowd, but he’d certainly attended her parties.
“Harper is preparing to merge with Benedict International…”
Merge my ass, he was planning a hostile takeover.
It would be hella hostile too, because old man Benedict would die before he let the Reeds take his company.
“He needs to consolidate all the family voting blocks. I want to handle your proxy.”
“Well, that’s special,” I told him with a smile. “Unfortunately for you, Adam already asked and I signed it over last week.”
Hamilton scowled.
“You snooze, you lose, old man. Let’s do this again…never.” With that, I walked away. I didn’t glance back, though the windows along the store fronts across the street gave me a good look at whether or not he followed me.
He didn’t.
Except, now, I was definitely looking for any other conspicuous tails not of the Drew variety. Her tail I would welcome anywhere, anytime.
I was almost to the Ferrari when I swore and headed across the lot for the street and the closest bus stop. The Ferrari was in my name. Stupid, Fletcher.
Really stupid.
Sloppy, even.
That would explain how anyone in my family could find me. Pulling the lowjack information would have told him exactly where I was. Yeah, the whole place was burned. I already moved once, now I had to do it again. Only this time, I needed to sanitize all traces of Fletcher Reed as I went.
I made it to the stop and glanced at the sign. The next bus was due in about ten minutes. Arms folded, I leaned against the inside of the shelter out of the sun. I also kept my head turned so I could keep an eye on anyone approaching from behind.
As soon as that bus got here, step one in my disappearance would begin. Don’t take too long to find me, Drew. I’d really hate to miss you.
But I needed to stay as far away from the Reed family squabbles as I could.
Far, far away.
