My stomach curls in on itself. Even for someone raised in affluence, these numbers are insane. Lector’s talking about staking the entire Wren net worth, plus more, on this takeover. I sip my coffee, letting the bitter black drink ground me. I shouldn’t panic. The savvy CFO wouldn’t buy a single stock unless he was sure it would move in his favor.
Lector across the desk leans back and grins. “Well, I’d say that’s about the right amount to celebrate the first time our boy steps foot in the office.”
I choke, spraying coffee all over my sleeve.
Lector laughs as I scramble to contain the coffee running down my mouth and suit. He slides his chair back and fetches me a handful of tissues.
Simon chuckles too. “You’re adorable, Lec, and I’d say you’re right. I’ll call the board meeting for the day after tomorrow, so you’d better work overtime running the prelims.”
The way they talk flows so naturally, like a river running its course. These brothers trust each other, and the reminder makes me miss Ricky something fierce. We used to be like this, finishing each other’s sentences and knowing what the other thought with just a look. But somewhere along the way, I left him behind, and we lost our sync-step.
I lost my way.
And then that moment in the Omega Center suite happened where I had him naked in my arms and everything felt right again.
“He’s so shocked he can’t speak,” Lector says, smirking.
Heat blooms on my neck. How did I go from multi-billion-dollar boardrooms to Rickon Jones?
I clear my throat. “Lector, I’m not sure this is the right move. The guy we’re chasing—”
“Let me stop you right there.” He puts his hand up. “First, don’t go talking about details. And second, when’s the last time you ever didanythingpersonal? For a few years there, Simon and I feared your soul had shrunk right up.”
I wince.
He ignores my discomfort. “But in the last few months, it’s like you’re coming back to life. Son, you’re the only heir to a multi-billion-dollar company. Everything Alistair worked so hard for is yours. If you want to flex some muscle, and it’s for a good cause, that’s why we’re here.”
My throat constricts.
Lector grins, that gleam back in his eyes. “Plus, it was already on my list. I’ve run a lot of numbers, and I believe it’s a good opportunity.” He knocks his knuckle on the acquisitions list. “Otherwise it wouldn’t have been top three on my radar.” He scoots his chair back from the desk and swivels side to side, gazing at me. “What do you want, Calli?”
Something I want? I want to squeeze the oxygen from Ray’s fires one by one. Let him see my name on his handiwork, and Red’s name on anything that’s left. And this way is legal. Well, more or less.
I scrub my hand over my face. “Yeah.” I suck in a shuddery breath. “Let’s shut that bastard down from every angle.” I lift my gaze, meeting Lector’s with full intensity. “You’ll be raising capital, right?”
Lector nods.
“Well, I want in; I want a big share.” Just watch. I will strangle that son of a bitch with my own hands.
He grins. “That’s the spirit. Alpha Cash will never see us coming.”
He gets up and comes around the desk, and I rise, giving him a hug before even thinking about it. I’m halfway to the door when I remember something. “It’s not Alistair’s money,” I tell him. “It’s your money too. I know how hard you worked here, and I never once doubted that you’d do an amazing job.”
Lector’s smile wreaths his whole face. “Thanks, son. It’s nice to hear you say so.”
I nod and leave, feeling lighter than when I walked in. Piece by piece, we’ll dismantle Ray’s assets and shut off his money taps. As his empire burns to the ground, he’ll curse the day he ever laid his hands on my omega.
Now I’d better go liquidate some assets. And I should get in touch with Dodge and see if I can use the hitman fee for information instead.
But first, I’m gonna call Rickon. Never again will I ignore the impulse to text or call.
Chapter twenty-three
Rickon
The canvas tent flutters around us in a gust of wind, sounding like hollow knocking. I twitch, cold sweat dotting my spine. It was only one experience, but camping brings back bad memories of my parents arguing. Coupled with the fact my omega isn’t located securely inside sturdy walls and a titanium-bolted door, it’s no wonder my nerves are shot.
“Calm down, Rickon,” Red murmurs, resting her hand on my knee.
