“Bull, what do youwant?”
The man took an exasperated breath as he realized there was no getting around Slade’squestion.
“I want to sit down and talk to her. I don’t trust you to not fuck thisup.”
“Not gonna happen. You told me to take care of it, and I am. She’s not dealing with anyone else exceptme.”
Bull laughed, the shrill sound making the inside of Slade’s teeth itch. The old man removed his broad cowboy hat and wiped his sweaty brow with a pressed handkerchief he pulled from his lapelpocket.
“Now, son, I think you know me well enough to understand that when I want something, I getit.”
Slade straightened to his full height. It was the one thing his daddy had blessed him with. It also meant Slade was able to shut down Bull’s condescending bullshit by making the older man look up to him. Three inches didn’t seem like a lot. But when it allowed you to put someone like Bull in his place without saying a word, it made all thedifference.
“Bull, I’m certain you also remember who I am. You know when I’m pushed, I will do anything I can to stopyou.”
Slade could tell the old man was thinking back over some of their more famous battles. As much as Slade hated everything about the way his father did business, he’d learned some things from himtoo.
For instance, Slade never walked into a meeting not knowing his opponent’s kill switch. And although he’d held out on using it, he had the very thing he needed to destroy Bull. Years of watching, waiting, and listening had yielded Slade undeniable proof that would topple Bull’s empire and bring the man to his knees. Unfortunately, ending Bull would also destroy Slade’s family’slegacy.
Revealing Bull’s insider trading deal with StarTech.It would be a last resort. Landing Logan Industries in the middle of a media and legal shitstorm wasn’t something Slade was willing to do yet. But he’d use it to protect those he cared about, Mandisa included. If he needed to pull the trigger, he’d let that particular bulletfly.
“Just remember, I am the head of Logan Industries,” Bull warned. Slade didn’t need a reminder. It was a fact that ate away at the lining of his stomach more than Slade cared toadmit.
Slade moved off the porch and stepped closer to Bull until he was standing directly in front of hisfather.
“You are the temporary CEO ofmycompany. In a handful of years, I’m going to take the reins of my company, and I’ll have a decision to make. I can let bygones be bygones and find a prominent place for you at L.I., or I can throw you out on your ass. So, you can keep pressing this issue and pissing me off, or you can make the best of this situation and just let me handle it my way. Decision’syours.”
Bull swallowed as his eyes narrowed into tiny slits. He wasn’t happy, that was obvious to Slade. But the truth was, Slade wasn’t all that concerned about Bull’s happiness. Especially since Bull had never cared one iota aboutSlade’s.
Bull nodded and stepped back toward his car. “Five years is a long time, Slade. A lot could change by then. You’d take care not to push me too far. You know what I’m capable of when I’mpushed.”
Slade watched Bull slither back to his limousine. He watched Slade until the driver closed his door. Slade didn’t move from the spot he was standing on until he saw Bull’s car pass through the large wrought iron gates that sat at the edge of his property. When his father was gone, the tension in Slade’s muscles began to relax a little. Slade was very aware of Bull’s track record. The man left a bleak path of destruction wherever hetraveled.
“Not this time,” Slade muttered. He pulled his phone from his pocket and typed a quick text toAaron.
Need info. Bull seems hungry for this deal. More than usual. Find outwhy.
Two seconds later Aaron’s reply flashed across Slade’sscreen.
Willdo.
