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“You’re not even going to try and meet me halfway to save our marriage.” She tossed the toiletry bag on the bed and faced him with her hands on her slim hips. “My lawyer says the prenup can be broken since I wasn’t aware of the extent of your financial worth when I signed it.”
“Then he’s an idiot. As I’ve explained, my worth now is tied up in a business I share with my brothers and the running expenses of that business. At the time of our marriage, I hadn’t inherited a third of my father’s holdings, but none of that matters. You agreed to the lump sum stated in the prenup and, sweetheart, I’m a damn good lawyer. That’s all you will get. And by halfway, you mean cave to your demand to stay in San Antonio with the firm, so no on that score also.”
He wasn’t upset by the end of his marriage – it hadn’t taken him long to realize he had married a money-grubbing shrew who would rather party than be a wife. Because of Casey’s piss-poor track record with women, Brett had been determined to make it work, come hell or high water. During the last few months of constant battles, he’d discovered hell was damned hot and the threat of drowning didn’t appeal to him. It was time to cut his losses and move on without making the mistake of attempting wedded bliss again.
He straightened and said, “I have to go. Have your lawyer get in touch with me.”
“You’ll be sorry, Brett, I swear it,” she threatened with a stomp of one foot that shook the breasts he’d paid for.
“I already am.”
Brett walked outside, unfazed by Gina’s threat. He’d heard those words throughout the five years of their marriage, so he wasn’t too worried. Stepping onto the porch, he leaned against the rail, his gaze taking in the stables and barns he grew up working and playing in and the livestock grazing the fields stretching for miles beyond the buildings. A peacefulness he never could achieve in San Antonio settled over him, and, despite the loss of his father and impending end to his marriage, he was looking forward to working alongside his brothers again to preserve their legacy.
“I’ll be at the Hilton in Casper and we can talk in a day or two,” Gina said, carrying her bags down the steps and to her rental car.
“I’ve said all I’m going to on the matter, Gina. Sign the damn papers.” Brett waited until she drove off with a spin of her tires that spewed up dust and gravel from the circular driveway before he released a sigh of relief. Feeling better already, even knowing that wasn’t the end of their battles, he peered across the lawn toward Reed’s place. The three stucco and wood-framed ranch homes were each separated by two acres. Casey had built the other two houses in recent years, conveying his hopes all three of his sons would end up back on the ranch full-time. None of them had harbored any desire to live that close to their parent, but all were happy to take up residence near each other and pull their weight keeping the Kincaid enterprises going.
After his ten-year stint in the military, Slade had returned a few years ago, unpacking in his old room without discussing his reasons or his plans with anyone. When he started working the ranch right away, Casey had turned the reins over to his tormented son without questions.
Like the three of them always said, their father had his faults but had been there for them when they needed him most.
Reed joined him at his truck still parked out front, and they drove together to pick up the trays of barbequed meats and side dishes they’d ordered from a popular place in Eagle’s Nest, a rural town between the ranch and Casper, before going to their nightclub. Opening the club on the outskirts of the Casper city limits gave them a small break on taxes and shortened the drive from their ranch, two added bonuses when the run-down dive had been put up for auction. The three of them had gone in on the place together and hired a close friend, Jordon Myers, as manager. Both the bar and Jordon were worth the money they had invested in them.
“It looks like Dad’s cronies are all here,” Reed said, opening the door.
“I’m just glad we made this segment of Dad’s farewell invitation only. Mom doesn’t need a parade of Casey’s women coming out tonight.” Brett slid out from behind the wheel then opened the rear door to grab a meat tray.
“She got over him years ago,” Reed said, reaching for the second tray.
Brett started for the entrance, the number of vehicles already filling the lot proving their father was well liked despite his womanizing reputation. “I’m well aware, but she still doesn’t need the reminder, or the humiliation. I swear, they were getting younger as he aged.”
“Gotta admire his stamina.” Reed opened the door to the bar and music spilled out into the quiet night.
“No. I don’t.” They didn’t disagree on much, but, where their father was concerned, Brett wasn’t as tolerant or forgiving as his brothers.
He recognized most of the people gathered around the centered oval bar, including his wife. Swearing under his breath, he wondered what she hoped to gain by showing up tonight, or by cozying up to his mother. Telling himself he should have heeded his mother’s warnings about Gina would do as much good now as Gina trying to get on Andrea’s good side. His wife had failed to thaw his mother’s cold dislike during their five years together; there was no way she would succeed in doing so now that they were ending their marriage.
“She’s not giving up on getting more out of you, is she?” Reed murmured, his gray-green gaze hardening. Neither of Brett’s brothers cared for Gina.
“Apparently not.” Brett strode to the long table set up for food, refusing to allow Gina’s presence to put a damper on the evening. As much as he disagreed with his father’s lifestyle, he would miss Casey. He uncovered the meat tray as he told Reed, “I’ll have a word with Gina then meet you at the bar.”
“Good luck.”
With his mood in the crapper, Brett strode over to his soon-to-be ex and his mother. Taking Gina’s elbow in a firm grip, he addressed his mother. “Mom, if you’ll excuse us for a minute?”
Relief shone in Andrea’s green eyes. “Certainly, dear.” She placed a hand on his chest and smiled. “We’ll raise a toast to your father when you’re done.”
He nodded. “This won’t take long.”
Gina huffed as he led her to a corner, away from others, where he didn’t give her a chance to talk first. “Whatever last minute stunt you’re trying to pull won’t work, Gina. We’re through.”
Her eyes flashed with fury. “Not until I say we are, and that won’t be until you give me what I’ve got coming.”
“One of these days, Gina, you will get exactly what you’ve got coming, but not today, and not from me. You won’t find any allies here, so you may as well leave. If you choose to stay and cause trouble, I’ll boot you out myself. Like I said at the house, have your attorney get in touch with me. Let’s sign the papers and end this farce.”
Brett dropped her arm and walked away, ignoring her muttered curses and threat. “Fuck you, Brett,” Gina ground out between clenched teeth. “You owe me, and I intend to collect, one way or another.”
Four months later
