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Given my adoptive father, Arthur’s oldest son wants nothing to do with him, and my biological father who is also Nathan’s father is dead, it makes Nathan his oldest grandson and the logical successor to Arthur’s fortune. It also makes him my closest competitor for the position of my grandfather’s heir.
Strangely, that doesn’t bother me the way it might have before I met my wife.
Before I realized the most important thing in the world is taking care of her—her safety, her security, her happiness, her future. All of that takes precedence. It’s disconcerting and, also, grounding, in an unexpected fashion. It’s why I don’t rise to the bait when Nathan nods his chin in my direction. "Trouble in paradise, I take it?"
"None of your business," I growl.
"It’s affecting your performance at work, so it is my business."
I still, then glance up from my cards. "Explain?"
"You missed a crucial loophole in the takeover documentation for the Young Group. Of course, I spotted it and fixed it prior to signing the deal."
"What loophole?"
"One that would have cost us close to a million dollars, but it’s been taken care of."
"I don’t let loopholes slip by me."
"You did, this time." He jams his cigar between his lips. "Might have to do with the fact you leveraged this takeover for your marriage, and—"
I reach over and grab his collar, then haul him forward. "Shut the fuck up."
He smiles, the satisfaction in his eyes showing he’s proven his point by getting a rise out of me.
"Let him go," Sinclair snaps.
I glare at Nathan. His smile grows wider. I tighten my hold on his collar, then release him. He sits back; so do I. But our gazes are locked.
"Thought you could control your temper better," he says in a mild voice.
"What do you want?" I square my shoulders. "Why did you accept Arthur’s proposition of sharing the veto power?"
"I have enough money, thanks to my investments. What this brings me, is power...and the breadth of control that comes from being the joint CEO of the Davenport group."
"Joint CEO?" I frown. That’s when my phone vibrates. I glance at the screen to find Arthur’s name on the caller ID. I fix my gaze on Nathan and answer: “Arthur?”
There’s silence, then, “I’m only G-Pa when your wife is around, I take it?”
It’s my turn to stay quiet.
Arthur sighs. “What I’m going to tell you is going to upset you.”
“You don’t say?” I ask dryly.
“You’re newly married, and I want you to focus on your wife, and—’
“Cut the bullshit and give it to me straight.”
He blows out a breath. “I want you to share the CEO role with Nathan.”
I glance up at Nathan, who’s watching my reaction. He was expecting Arthur to call me, no doubt. I roll my shoulders. Somehow, I’m not as pissed off as I should be to hear this news from my grandfather. Maybe my wife is already softening me up? That must be the reason I haven't lost my temper yet. In fact, the thought of not having to shoulder the decision-making role on my own, having another ear with whom to discuss the daily challenges, is a relief. It means I’ll have more time to devote to my wife. In fact, the thought of not being CEO, at all—nope, not going there. You’re not giving up the role you’ve been angling for because a woman, are you? Nope, no way, am I conceding defeat to Nathan already.Not when I know Arthur’s proposing this joint-CEO deal as some kind of test to ascertain who is best placed to be his successor. “Is that all?” I bark into the phone.
“Yes, I wanted to be the one to tell you—”
I hang up the phone. Yes, I hung up on my grandfather, the Chairman of the company. Yes, I should be more worried about the repercussions of my actions, but given I have him on the defensive, given he went back on his word and decided to make menotthe CEO, but thejoint-CEO of the Davenport group of companies, somehow, I doubt I have much to worry about. And if he’s upset? I couldn’t give a shit about it. Considering all I want to do is get out of here and back to my wife.
Nathan raises the cigar to his lips. "I take it, Arthur told you he’s decided it’s best you share the role with me?”
