When I strode into the main conference room where Sterling had asked me to meet him, my dad and all three of my brothers were already there, gathered around the massive table like this was some kind of council meeting.
Or a war room, perhaps.
I cocked my head as I shut the door behind me. “What’s all this about?”
Sterling frowned as if he didn’t quite understand the question. “Scotland. Obviously. We’re leaving in three days. We need to make sure we’ve got our army of ducks in a row.”
War room, then.
“Okay.” I glanced at Harrison, who was looking surprisingly comfortable in a suit now that he’d traded airports, backpacks, and fraternity parties for the family business. “My offer stands if you’d like to come join us down in marketing instead. We never convene impromptu Knights of the Round Table sessions.”
He laughed but glanced around the table before he snorted. “They do kind of look that way, don’t they?”
I nodded slowly, turning my attention on my dad. “Why’d you put him in Jamie’s department anyway? Marketing is where it’s at.”
“Where what’s at?” Dad asked, brow furrowing in confusion. “He’s with Jamie because he’s interested in acquisitions.”
I frowned at Jameson. “Seriously? You managed to make that sound enticing?”
He shook his head and shrugged. “Don’t look at me, man. If the kid wants to liquidate some assets and thinks it’s fun to slice away the rot, who am I to argue?”
“Enough.” Dad sighed. We all fell silent and turned to him, but his eyes were locked on me. “As Sterling was saying, the jets take off in three days. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I reached for my tie and loosened it a little, suddenly feeling some pressure I hadn’t felt at all until I’d walked in here. “What’s going on?”
“We just need to make sure that legally, we’re good to go before the ceremony.” Dad folded his hands on the table. “The papers are all signed?”
“Yep, but you already knew that.”
“Then perhaps the more accurate question is whether everything is in order with the papers you signed. Have you followed up with the lawyers? Have they filed everything? Are they creating the trusts? Opening the necessary accounts?”
“Yes to all of the above,” I said confidently, realizing that there was no need to feel all that pressure. Maisie and I really were ready—legally and personally. “We’re all good, Dad. They’ve executed the paperwork and I’ve been receiving updates almost by the hour. Everything is progressing smoothly. No hold-ups, no issues.”
He gave me one of his rare, approving nods, a flicker of satisfaction passing over his features. “Good. That’s excellent news, boy. Stay on top of them.”
He rose and glanced at Harrison, inclining his head toward the door. “Let’s go. You’re in this next meeting with me.”
“I am?” Harrison asked but stood up without waiting for an answer.
Jameson let out a dramatic sigh. “I thought he was supposed to bemylackey.”
Dad lips curved into a smirk, which was almost as rare as his approving nods. It seemed he really was happy with us at the moment. “I made this lackey. You’ll have to wait until your twins are born before you get the same seniority.”
Jameson’s eyebrows shot up and he snorted trying to hold back laughter. Before any of us could ask why Dad was in such a good mood, he disappeared with Harrison in tow.
Sterling groaned once they were gone. “I have no idea what that means for us, but I’m not looking forward to finding out.”
Jamie wrinkled his nose. “I wouldn’t worry about what it means for us. We’ve done what he asked. Harrison should probably start running through.”
“Nah,” I said, my head shaking. “If anything, he’s safer now than he was before. Dad’s in a great mood. He might allow the kid to turn twenty-four before he marries him off.”
Sterling scoffed. “No way, man. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again, Dad is serious about this. All of us have to be settled before he retires next summer. It snowed last night, which means winter has officially arrived. Before we know it, spring will be here. Harrison will be hitched by then.”
“We’ll see,” Jameson said, then turned to Sterling. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk about? I’ve got a lot to get done before we leave.”
Sterling nodded and brought his gaze back to mine. I considered asking if he was sure he hadn’t slept with Maisie years ago. His resemblance to Brody really was striking, andafter I’d seen that picture, it was getting more and more difficult to keep letting it go.
“Besides trying not to hyperventilate when the bagpipes start playing, is there anything you still need to do for the big day?” Sterling asked.
