“Spare me your pity, big brother.”
“Don’t worry; My pity is the last thing you’ll be getting. What you will be doing, however, is calling … no, stopping by Michelle’s company and telling her employer how wrong you were about her. How you should’ve never brought up the subject at all, and what a wonderful employee she was.”
He let out a humorless laugh. “In what dream world are you living in?”
“The one in which I kick your ass all over this office if you don’t, andthencall a board meeting and use my twenty-five percent ownership in this company to put up a vote on whether to vote you out as CEO.” This wasn’t an idle threat. Aaron knew it by the keen look he gave me. I never mentioned my twenty-five percent equity in Townsend Industries. Didn’t need to. But as a Townsend I was born into this legacy, and at that moment I would use my birthright to fuck over my brother in any way I could, if he wasn’t prepared to make right what he’d fucked up.
“You son of a bitch,” he growled, looking like he was ready to charge me.
“Takes one to know one.” I gave him another smile that conveyed the joy I was now taking in seeing his discomfort. I knew chances were slim that the board would actually oust Aaron as CEO, but if I brought it up, it was something that had to be addressed and would cost Aaron an immense amount of stress. Truth was, Aaron was good as hell at his job. As if he was born to run this company. The same way I’d been born to put out fires and save lives. But as with anything, he had enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to attack if they smelled blood in the water.
“You’re serious about this woman?” His voice was low as he questioned me.
“When’s the last time I’ve been to Townsend Industries?”
He lowered his head as if pondering my question. Behind him, I saw the backdrop of the Williamsport skyline through the huge floor to ceiling windows of the corner office, which provided substantial natural light.
He finally nodded. “I thought you would’ve forgotten about those fucking shares by now,” he commented.
“You wished I would’ve. I’d have nothing to hang over you. Aside from my ability to kick your ass.”
His eyebrow spiked. “I kicked your ass sophomore year.”
“Doesn’t count. I had the fucking flu.”
“You were healed.”
“I hadn’t eaten in four days and you snuck up on me,” I retorted.
Aaron rolled his eyes and turned his back to face out the window.
“The only time you come up to Townsend Industries in three years is over a woman.”
“Her name is Michelle.”
He turned back to me, eyeing me as if inspecting me for my seriousness on the matter. That began to piss me off again. I didn’t explain myself to people. The only reason I was doing it here was because we were family.
“You care about her?”
I tilted my head. “You ask that like it’s a fucking impossibility.”
“I’ve only seen you serious about two things in the last ten years. The Army and firefighting.”
“Well, add number three to the list. Michelle Clarke.”
“I’ll give her boss a call.” He waved his hand as if dismissing me, but that wasn’t good enough.
“No,” I stepped into his face, “go see her. Make her understand how wrong you were, little brother.”
“I’m a busy man, I don’t have time to–”
“But you made time this morning. Do it again.”
Aaron’s jaw tightened and he looked like he was really weighing whether he could take me down.
“I wouldn’t make that bet if I were you,” I warned.
“I’m a betting man,” he retorted.
