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So Nathan knew she’d say yes when he popped the question tonight. She might prefer a marriage based on fanciful, unrealistic emotions instead of one built on respect and admiration, but she understood that what she needed was someone to take care of her.
The only thing that was still a mystery was whether his motivation for proposing remained the same as it had been six weeks ago, or if he’d decided he couldn’t contemplate his future without her in it—business deal or no.
He shied away from the question, relieved that he’d never have to answer it. An hour ago, Sebastian had stopped by to say that Lucas Smythe needed a few more days to evaluate the offer he’d received from Case Consolidated Holdings. By this time tomorrow, Nathan would be engaged to Emma and his venture with Montgomery Oil secured.
“I’ve got a couple tickets to the Rockets that I can’t use tonight. Interested?”
Nathan spied Max in the doorway. Although resentment still bubbled inside him at all the hoops his brothers were making him jump through, Nathan appreciated Max’s attempt to reach out.
“Can’t. Got plans.”
“Me, too.”
Max didn’t leave Nathan’s doorway. “Sebastian said he gave you the numbers for the Smythe purchase.”
“I haven’t had a chance to look them over yet.”
“If you’re still holding out for the Montgomery Oil deal, you’re wasting your time. Chances are it’s not going to happen.”
“It will.” Nathan’s irritation rose, but he leashed his tone, striving for civility. “In fact, I’m set to close tonight.”
“Have you really thought about what you’re getting us into? We could stand to lose everything if the technology doesn’t pan out.” Max regarded him, his jaw jutting forward.
“Or we could stand to make a fortune.”
“Is this really about the money, or are you just trying to destroy the family business?”
Long ago, after realizing that Sebastian and Max would never accept him as a brother, he’d put a cork in his frustration and decided that if he couldn’t join them, he’d beat them. As alike as they were, he’d had no choice but to become an individual. Embedded habits were hard to break.
But at least he was trying.
“Do you really think I’d do that?” Nathan demanded, breathing hard. “Don’t you see that I’m as much a part of this family and this business as you are? Of course you don’t. You never let me be a part of anything you and Sebastian did. Frankly, I don’t know why I’m busting my ass to bring this deal to Case Consolidated Holdings when I could do it on my own.”
He stopped speaking, his hands clenching with the force of the rage that had risen up in him. The intensity of his emotions shocked him. He used to be cool under pressure. What had happened to the guy who bluffed professional gamblers with nothing but a two of hearts and a five of spades in his hand?
“So do the deal without us.” Max shrugged. “You don’t like it here anyway. I don’t know why you don’t just head out on your own.”
This is exactly the sort of ultimatum he’d wanted to avoid since returning to Houston and coming to work with his brothers. Max had tossed down the gauntlet.
“What’s going on in here?” Sebastian entered the room and stood between Max and Nathan. He glanced from one brother to the other.
“Max doesn’t seem to think I belong at this company,” Nathan explained, unable to wrestle his bitterness to manageable levels. “And I’m starting to agree with him.”
“Why is that?”
“I have a different vision for the company’s future.”
“And because you show up out of the blue—”
Nathan interrupted Max with a low growl. “I was brought in by Dad.”
“So that gives you the right to push us to make changes. The company was profitable before you showed up. It will be profitable after you leave,” Max shot back.
Around and around again with the same old arguments. The three of them could accomplish a hell of a lot more if they just stopped antagonizing each other.
Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look. We agreed that I’d have until today to get the deal done. If it doesn’t happen, you’ll never hear me mention Montgomery Oil again.”
Valentine’s Day had started out gray and overcast, but the sun had made an appearance by the time Emma let herself into Nathan’s condo. She juggled three bags from expensive downtown boutiques and kicked the door closed. Shopping had never been less fun. Would she ever again spend money without thinking of all the hard work that went into earning it? She was no longer the overindulged girl she’d been six months ago. She’d learned the lesson that her father had intended.
