He leaned further forward, giving me the same stern look he had when I was younger and dishonored him in some way. “You need to get married.”
I almost choked. “That’s tough since I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“That’s because you’re fucked around on every girlfriend you’ve ever had, Christian. I don’t claim to be an expert with women, but infidelity is usually a deal breaker.”
Instead of reminding him that he’d had his share of mistresses, I gritted my teeth. Arguing with my father wouldn’t get me anywhere. “So please, Dad. Give me a few recommendations on how to find a wife.”
“I don’t care if you buy one. As long as you remain faithful, at least in the public eye until we’re firmly entrenched in these contracts, then I don’t care how you do it.”
“For how long?”
“Six months minimum.”
Six months. He had to be kidding me.
The man was serious. I narrowed my eyes. “Are you asking me or telling me to find a wife?”
He wasn’t a man who wasted time, something I’d inherited from him. “Let’s just say your continued position within this companydepends on your compliance. I can see potential in your brother. But you’re a team player, Christian. I’m certain you won’t disappoint me.”
My brother. He would toss Carson into my face. We’d been competitive since we were kids. My father knew how much I hated losing. That’s what he was counting on.
Without uttering another word, he filed out. I took a few seconds before standing, shoving the chair by several feet as I did. To say I was pissed as hell was an understatement. I buttoned my suit jacket, laughing softly to myself as I headed from the conference room.
As I passed the offices as well as the vast arrays of desks housing the administrative team, my reputation for being even more ruthless than my father was highlighted on the employees’ faces.
To hell with them.
I was the reason they still had a paycheck.
The moment I stormed into my corner office, the company attorney and my best friend Michael Jeffries strolled into the room with papers in his hand. As soon as he noticed my dark expression, he burst into laughter. “The board meeting was that bad?”
I headed to the window, staring out at the incredible view of Miami including the turquoise ocean waters. I should consider myself the luckiest man in the world since I was close to being the wealthiest. However, right now it felt as if I had a noose wrapped around my neck, dozens of people eager to shove me off the edge of the cliff.
Fuck them all.
“My father insists I settle down.”
He coughed. “You, playboy of the year?”
I threw him a pointed look over my shoulder. “This isn’t a joke. He wants me to get married, even in name only.”
“Ah, the new contracts. That’s why I popped into your office. I don’t like the various codicils and new conditions that are being suggested.”
“Let me guess. They want family values added and if it’s not there they’ll have a way out of the contracts.”
“You’re a mind reader. Barbaric, but they know how badly we want their business.”
“That was our first mistake.” And the last recommendation I’d take from my father.
“Maybe getting married isn’t a bad idea. You can always get it annulled or pay out millions of dollars in a fancy divorce while being crucified in the press.” He laughed as he moved to one of my office chairs, flopping down as if he owned the place.
Meanwhile, I gritted my teeth. “It’s ridiculous.”
“Yeah, but think of it as just another contract.”
“Alright, Mr. Genius,” I barked as I unbuttoned my jacket, driving my hands into my trouser pockets. “Since you’re such a relationship expert, how do you suggest going about finding a wife who’ll pretend we’re madly in love in public while following a strict set of rules, which will include the inability to touch my bank account and who won’t fight for new contractual terms when the relationship is over? I ask since you’re on your sixth girlfriend this year. But who’s counting?”
“Cold, my friend. Cold. I can tell why you’re unattached.” He shook his head, finally lifting an eyebrow while managing a condescending look. “There are thousands of successful companies created for exactly what you need.”
