I scowl at my close friend and business associate, who is quite happily reshuffling my work schedule.
“That frees you up to help Kat.”
Problem solved clearly.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he broaches his plan with Kat.
“Kat didn’t even invite Lockwood Associates to tender for this job. She’s not going to want me anywhere near her project.”
“What?” Caleb frowns as if this is news to him.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and inhale.
Did Kat tell him something different?
“Okay, how about this?” Caleb says, and I know instantly I’m not going to like it. “If I ask Kat and get her agreement, will you be open to a discussion with her?”
All eyes turn to me.
Fuck! Ground swallow me up.
“She really needs your help. You’re the only onewetrust.”
I inwardly cringe at their words, knowing they wouldn’t if they only knew.
“Kat’s a grown arse woman, gents,” Pen says, scowling at both Elijah and Caleb. “She’s not going to take too kindly to you sticking your nose into her business, any more than you did Eli when Gabriel got involved in yours.”
Elijah turns to Pen.
“Yes, but he was right in the long run. Even I’m man enough to realise that. And look at me now.”
The grin Elijah gives Pen has her rolling her eyes, and I chuckle. I’ve missed seeing these two interact.
“Pipe down, big boy. All I’m saying is, Kat might have this under control. You storming in, and with Jax of all people.” She shoots me a look. “No offence, Jax.”
“None taken,” I say quickly, glad someone is finally speaking some sense. “I’m with you, Pen.”
“I’m worried about her.” Caleb’s brow wrinkles as he runs a jerky hand through his hair. “She’s not Kat. She looks and sounds like Kat, but there’s something missing. It’s like—” He sighs. “It’s not like the board goes easy on her. They’ve been after her blood since Dad died.”
I’ve known Caleb a long time. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this about one of his siblings.
“What do you mean?”
Caleb and Elijah drop their chins to their chests.
What the hell?
Caleb looks up. “After Dad died, several of the board members came to see Mum. They wanted Gabriel or me to take over from Dad.”
I frown.
What?
“But Kat had been working with your dad for six years, worked her way through the various departments learning the ropes, attended all the board meetings,” I say.
We may not have been on speaking terms, but I listened when Kat’s name was mentioned.
“She had. Dad was training her to be his successor, and that’s why Mum told them to turn around and walk away before she said or did something that, as the majority shareholder, they would seriously regret. Unfortunately, Kat wasn’t born with a penis and, therefore, in their eyes, was incapable of running the Frazer Hotel Group. Mum might only be small, but she will fight tooth and nail for her children. You really don’t want to cross her if she feels any of us have been wronged.”
