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Guiding the car toward Hendrick’s place, I’m not surprised to see Wells’s car parked in the guest parking. They met with those people tonight. They no doubt needed a drink after that, and now we have to do some real work.
As I make my way into his building, to the elevator bank, and watch it climb to his floor, I can’t help but think about my aunt. I’m not sure why it hits me here, maybe because I know my cousins’ apartments are on the ground floor. Maybe because I’m getting married, and that was her only sin—being my uncle’s prize. It hits home, because Claire’s only sin is being my prize.
The elevator doors ding and slowly open to Hendrick’s floor. Stepping out into the hall, I glance from side to side to take in my surroundings, but I’m alone. All alone. I move toward the door, lift my hand, and knock, waiting for Hendrick to answer.
Moments later, the door swings open, but it’s not Hendrick on the other side. It’s my father. Blinking, I step past him into the apartment without saying a single word. Nothing needs to be said out in the open, and even the apartment isn’t completely safe if someone were watching.
After closing the door and locking it behind me, I move into the apartment and look around to see who is joining us. It’s just me, Wells, Hendrick, and our father. I walk toward the open bottle of whiskey on the coffee table and pour myself some before I sink down on the couch cushion.
Lifting the glass to my lips, I take a drink, hissing as it slides down my throat, then I decide to ask what the fuck is going on. Especially considering the three of them are just watching me and haven’t said a single fucking word since I walked into the apartment.
“I’m just going to come out and say that those people are assholes,” Wells announces.
“Yeah, I could have told you that,” I snort. “What’s new?”
My father runs his fingers through his hair, then smooths it out slowly before he lets out a heavy breath. “Well,” he begins, “they still won’t sign the contract, and they are wishing to make some sort of deal for the younger sister.”
Leaning forward, I take another drink from my glass before I place it on the coffee table. “Are you trying to tell me that they won’t sign this deal unless we offer something for the little one?”
“That’s what they’re trying to do,” Hendrick grunts.
“How much do they want?” I ask.
My father blinks, then his eyes widen and he leans back in the chair, his gaze searching mine. “You know, we could just find another bride. She could be here by the end of the week and the wedding would go ahead as normal.”
The thought of another bride makes my stomach flip. I do not want another bride. I also can’t give in to these assholes because it’s clear they are only here for money and nothing else. And they will never stop. I guarantee they’ve started cooking up this idea from the moment we approached them in an effort to forgive their loan.
“They will never stop,” I point out. “But that being said, she is who I want.”
My father’s brow lifts, and at the same time, both Wells and Hendrick chuckle. My father inhales a deep breath, then lets it out slowly and grunts when he does.
“I don’t want to know why you’re fixated. Especially after you spent some time in Vegas. If she is what you want, then you need to make sure these people sign that shit and walk away. We will not be making another deal with them.”
My lips twitch into a smirk, my gaze finding and holding his. I can tell he’s annoyed. He likely thought that this would end a different way, but I’m not giving Claire up. She is, without a doubt, my prize.
“I’ll handle them,” I say.
I watch as my father stands, his eyes focused on mine. He lifts his arm, extending a finger and pointing it at me. “Nobody dies over this,” he states. “At least not yet.”
Without another word, he walks past us and toward the door, stopping with his hand on the knob. He turns his head slightly, his gaze sliding over the three of us before it lands on me again.
“Your mother wants to meet with her, alone, before the wedding. Make that happen. Don’t care how. And Coleman?” he calls out, pausing as I continue to stare at him. “Your induction as an executive is the night after the wedding. Same goes for you,” he says, jerking his chin toward Wells. “You’ll be inducted the night after your wedding.”
“Are you going to tell us what happens there?” I ask.
I’ve been at a lot of ceremonies for the family over the years, but never once have I seen an executive come into power. That’s always been a secret between the director and the executives.
I always assumed it was just a party or something. We’ve completed all the known steps to reach the level we’re at now, and it’s our father who chooses his executives. Apparently, it’s not just a party. There is something to be done. I’m not going to worry about it, though, at least not yet… Claire has to vow herself to me first.
“You’ll find out,” he states before he tugs the door open and slips out into the hall.
Once the door closes, my brothers and I all turn our attention toward one another. Then we chuckle because our dad is so fucking extra. He always has been, especially when it comes to the family and our rituals.
Reaching for my glass of whiskey, I sit back and take a sip, closing my eyes for just a breath before I open them again.
“Dad’s right. Those people need to be handled,” Wells grunts. “Thank fuck I don’t have to worry about in-laws,” he murmurs.
Hendrick snorts. “No, you just have to worry about your bride finding out that our dad killed her parents.”
