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“I’ll set up a meeting with the new owner — Joe Everly.” It grated that I didn’t know much about him. He’d appeared from seemingly nowhere, with no history I could dig up about him in the short amount of time I’d had to look. Gold Moon had never been listed as a family business before.
I liked to know about everyone in the business world — it was literally my business. But this Joe hadn’t been much of a mover and shaker so far. “Sounds a lot like they’ve just grabbed the nearest male relative and made him responsible while they sort their shit out, to be honest.” And if that was the case, this would be an easy takeover and takedown. “Although if this Joe doesn’t know what’s going on, if he’s not involved, maybe we won’t need to dismantle this one.” I preferred taking the money where I could. But every so often, my philanthropic side bit me in the butt and I acted for the good of others.
“Oh really?” Davina had her eyes entirely on the money. Always. But that was what made her a good CFO.
“We can afford a freebie in order to help a grieving family out, right?” I didn’t need to ask. It wouldn’t be the first time we’d stuck around to put a company straight without profiting, although we didn’t make a habit of it. Taking out the bad guys was our number-one reason for being involved, after all. As long as that was accomplished…
“And that moves me nicely onto the last point of our agenda,” I said, acknowledging my own inadvertent segue.
“Ah, yes. My brother’s bleeding heart.” Davina chuckled.
“Philanthropy,” I corrected her.
“Whatever.” She threw her hands up. “Just remember we still need to make the money that supports the pack.”
“But the pack has enough thanks to Apex, and that won’t change. And there are other shifters and even packs out there we can extend help to.” It was an argument we’d had many times, and I was finally in a position I’d always wanted — to be able to provide basic services to others who needed them. “We can extend our provision of housing, scholarship funds, early education, healthcare, and covering basic needs so that our pack members and those outside our circle face less stress in an already stressful world. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Davina shook her head. “Brother, being a millionaire sometimesisthe point.”
I shook my head in return. “Sharing the good fortune is the point. And we’re nearly in a place where Apex can start to do that, right?”
She watched me for a long moment before she finally nodded. “This is an argument we can put a pin in for a later date. So to avoid drawing things out, I’ll just say yes,” she conceded.
“Excellent.” I stood. It was an agreement of a sort, but it would have to do. “First things first, then. I have some respects to pay to Joseph Everly’s family.”
3
JO
Istood in the corner of my office, looking out of the window. The view was nice.
It always was. But I wasn’t looking at it.
I wasn’t really looking at anything.
There were too many memories in my head. Too many thoughts.
And they were all of my dad. Joseph Everly.
He’d been a good man. The best. An amazing father, and an amazing husband. Probably every daughter thought that about their father, though.
Except my thoughts were true. My dad had been the actual best. This wasn’t just idle hero worship.
And now he was gone.
It still didn’t seem real. Like I’d still see him come into a room at the house, where I’d spent a lot of time over the past few days, or walk past a doorway.
Was there a denial stage with grief? I couldn’t remember. Maybe I’d made that up. But I’d had to force myself to believe he was gone every day since Mom had called and told me.
It was even more unbelievable when we found out the reason. I mean, Lycan Flu?
Lycan Flu, native to Arizona, when Dad hadn’t even left the northeast coast. How was that even possible? Itshouldn’thave been possible, right?
It was just one of many questions I had about his death. I had lots of things I wanted to ask Dad directly about the company, too, but of course I couldn’t do that anymore.
I sighed and turned from the window as Wes came barreling into the room.
“What are you doing, Jo?” He was already in his black suit.
